Question about Graduation Parties

[scottmel]

Hi DD18 graduates SATURDAY. She opted for a 2 week VIP vacation thru California with us instead of a graduation party. She isn't a party type of person so I am surprising her with some VIP experiences on our vacation!

We have been invited to several graduation parties of course only 2 of which we plan to attend. What is the going rate of a gift to bring to the party? These are school friends of hers. Thanks!

 

[bjscheel]

It depends on the situation (and I'm sure your region). We are in small town Iowa and just went through graduation with a senior.

In past years, DD would give $5 to seniors whose parties she went to. This year, though, it seemed silly for her and her classmates to go around exchanging small bills with each other and having to write thank yous for them. We decided for parties she went to with friends, just a card with a nice note/memory written it was sufficient. But for the ones I attended, that we were closer to as a family, I gave money. So for DD's BFF and other DD's boyfriend, I did $25. For her other good friend and a girl from church, I did $15.

This seemed to be about right with what DD received. She didn't tend to get money from her classmates, but if we were closer with the family, she got money, $20 or less.

 

[BarbMike821]

I've always subscribed to the thought that the going rate of a gift is whatever you can afford and feel is appropriate. We have my nieces graduation and instead of cash we're giving her a shower caddy and one of those Velcro bathrobe dress things. I wouldn't go overboard at all. Since they're friends you could do a cute framed photo of them all together or a cute keychain or shirt from the college they plan on attending.

 

[powellrj]

I saw someone here a few years ago that would write a check for the year, so that is what I have stated doing. This year they would get a check for $20.17.

 

[scottmel]

OP again. Wow I was going to give 50 bucks and was worried that wasn't enough. Guess that isn't the expectation afterall. Maybe I will back it down to 40 since I have several parties to go to...

 

[kymom99]

I'm giving $20 if I am invited, nothing if I'm not. So far we have gotten 3 family invites.

 

[BarbMike821]

I saw someone here a few years ago that would write a check for the year, so that is what I have stated doing. This year they would get a check for $20.17.

This is such an awesome idea!!!

 

[bjscheel]

I saw someone here a few years ago that would write a check for the year, so that is what I have stated doing. This year they would get a check for $20.17.

DD's track coach did that! I think it was in cash/coins!

Very few gave her over $20 other than close family.

 

[KCEMOM]

I do the gift in the amount of the year also. We are invited to as many 15 parties in the town we live in and we also have nieces graduating from college and high school. 5 of those. When it is family we do $50 or go in on a gift with other family members.

 

[KSR0330]

I think it probably depends on where you live, also. We gave $50 to my son's close friends.

 

[DaisyJ]

We gave $50 for each party we attended.

 

[dreamin_disney]

so far DD had been invited to 3 of her friends Graduations. These are kids she hangs out with but not best friends. I have no idea what to give. She is going by herself so I figure she can give a nice grad picture frame and a personalized candy jar or $15 giftcard and say its a lil something from her. Not sure if there will be any other invites. She's having a party and not expecting anything. Her bday some brought gifts from nothing to $10 giftcard to a blouse, $25 item

 

[kymom99]

so far DD had been invited to 3 of her friends Graduations. These are kids she hangs out with but not best friends. I have no idea what to give. She is going by herself so I figure she can give a nice grad picture frame and a personalized candy jar or $15 giftcard and say its a lil something from her. Not sure if there will be any other invites. She's having a party and not expecting anything. Her bday some brought gifts from nothing to $10 giftcard to a blouse, $25 item

My son's graduating class has a chat group where people list the date of their party. No way am i getting a gift for every party he goes to. I'm only getting something for those who invite me.

 

[mousefanmichelle]

If my dd goes to a friends party that we aren't invited to - she isn't giving anything and that tends to be how it is in our area. If we go, we give based on our relationship with the kid/family. Close friends/family get $50 and I will go down to $25 on the not so close friends. We have been invited to over 10 parties and I probably won't go to all of them.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I will be doing the year thing for parties my child is specifically invited to that she (or we) plan to attend...I will do more for my kids' best friends (they each have 2-3) and for any family graduation parties (niece/nephew)...

 

[angierae]

Kids who attended DD's party without parents (because we aren't close to the family, just the kids are) either gave her small token gifts or nothing at all.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We are invited to 3 graduation parties so far as a family. We are giving $25 each.

If my son goes to any friend parties alone I'm not giving a gift. He can get a gift if he wants. In our area friends don't give gifts. They just want a nice turn out.

 

[mommy2mrb]

My DD is a junior but has two senior friends that have invited her to open house parties, I won't be going. What her girl friends have been doing all through HS for bdays is a small gift bag of favorite candy, gum with homemade cards. They all decided to do the same for graduation. There's only 10 in their little group so it's not a big cost to them.
Close Family I give $50 cash and $50 gift card to favorite store. Others get $25 if I get an announcement

 

[kydisneyfans]

$20 for friends, $50 for close friends, $100 for family. They must graduate and walk for their diploma to get the gift.

 

[v.t.]

Cutest gift we have received so far is a bar of Good Soap and a gift card to Raising Cane. The card read, "Wherever life leads you, may happiness and success be yours. Hope you have "good" clean fun "raising cane".
Not very expensive but very clever and memorable.