Should a teen bring a grad gift to party?

[ADisneyQueen]

My dd17 is a junior and has been invited to some seniors' grad parties. The senior usually invites anywhere from 100-250 kids( they don't all come) plus family/friends. Do you think the other students will bring a gift? She has only gone to one other party for a classmate and did not bring one. She talks to the seniors at school but doesn't do things with them outside of school so they are not close friends.
I also want to add this is a small town in PA, so not a high socioeconomic area like NY/NJ where we used to live.

 

[DisDance]

I would say only if they are close friends

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I say "no gift".

 

[pooh4evr]

No gift

 

[kmb584]

Well, I'm definitely in the minority because I brought a gift to all of the HS grad parties I was invited to. My friends did the same.

 

[Christine]

My best friend's DD just had her home grad party last week.

Some of the "teen" attendees brought gifts but most did not. My friend was actually surprised that the other attendees brought gifts. Her own daughter was not bringing them to other parties she attended.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We usually get cards 2/$1.00 at the Dollar Store and put a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks, Tim Horton's etc.

It doesn't break the bank and says thank you for thinking and inviting me.

A card is also acceptable but I would not send my child empty handed, but that is me.

 

[Chelley00]

We did $5-$10 Subway or Starbucks gift cards depending on the kid.

 

[Katelly]

I was wondering the same thing about these parties. My dd is a senior and has been invited to fifteen grad parties already and will most likely receive at least ten more invitations. I started thinking that if she went to every one of those parties (she'll probably go to most of them) and we gave $50 (I was clueless as to how much to give) to each grad, it's going to be a small fortune.

She started asking her friends about their parties. Nearly every one of them said they do not want or expect any gifts from the friends/classmates they invite. However, one girl said "of course I expect a gift, that's kind of the point."

After reading this thread, I'm a little relieved! I think a smaller gift is appropriate.

 

[pigletgirl]

If she's close, yes.

 

[ksjayhawks]

No, she doesn't need to take a gift Unless the person is a very close friend. Otherwise just showing up is fine. Or a card if she wants.

Around here, the kids just go from party to party to celebrate and only give a card to those they are close to--usually write something in it.

 

[ashley0139]

Yes, gift.

Clearly I'm in the minority, but I brought a gift to every graduation party I went to and I'm pretty sure everyone brought one to mine. Mine were usually no more than $5 unless we were very close, but something useful.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am in the "no gift" camp.

 

[Laura66]

Nope! Only if they want to and are close fiends. Gifts aren't expected at all for friends around here and I've held 2 Grad parties.
If the whole family is invited and my husband and I go we do give a nice gift of cash or a check.
Typically, in my area, the first few hours are when family and close frirnds arrive! Later on all the kids/friends start party hopping so they have an opportunity to attend all of their friends parties. Many times the hosts will order or set out a whole new wave of food for the kids making the rounds.
Goodness - kids will sometimes attend as many as 4 grad parties an evening - every weekend. All of us parents want them to have a nice tine with their friends - not go broke on that many gifts!

 

[StephMK]

DD took $5 gc to her "outer circle" - friends she knew pretty well. The closest group exchanged tokens and checks from the parents. Kids she just knew from groups at school were not taken gifts or cards and that seemed to be standard around here. A lot just party hop and that's completely fine with me.

DD had scrapbook paper out for people to leave her comments. It made a cute memory book of the evening.

 

[Laura66]

DD took $5 gc to her "outer circle" - friends she knew pretty well. The closest group exchanged tokens and checks from the parents. Kids she just knew from groups at school were not taken gifts or cards and that seemed to be standard around here. A lot just party hop and that's completely fine with me.

DD had scrapbook paper out for people to leave her comments. It made a cute memory book of the evening.

We had a video showing and had a huge picture for everyone to sign! I forgot to add that giving a card - especially one with a story special to the guest attending and the graduate - would be really appreciated and treasured!

 

[LBIJim]

No gifts necessary for the graduation parties of their peers. Of course, if you WANT to, by all means go ahead, but I don't think gifts are expected from friends and classmates.

Jim

 

[clh2]

In my neck of the woods, the students do not bring grad gifts to the parties they are attending.

 

[carrie1626]

I was wondering the same thing about these parties. My dd is a senior and has been invited to fifteen grad parties already and will most likely receive at least ten more invitations. I started thinking that if she went to every one of those parties (she'll probably go to most of them) and we gave $50 (I was clueless as to how much to give) to each grad, it's going to be a small fortune.

She started asking her friends about their parties. Nearly every one of them said they do not want or expect any gifts from the friends/classmates they invite. However, one girl said "of course I expect a gift, that's kind of the point."

After reading this thread, I'm a little relieved! I think a smaller gift is appropriate.

My first thought: Reality show personna

 

[ronandannette]

My first thought: Reality show personna

Yep, and for the OP's daughter, I'm not sure why she would even want to go to a party for someone who invited 250 other people and with whom I really had no connection, let alone bring a gift.