What is appropriate for graduation?

[ceecee]

We don't do gifts at 6th grade graduations around here. I can't imagine a 7th grader with a cell phone all to themselves.

 

[Patsfan7]

I think they were just trying to be neighborly and not asking for a gift. Maybe the party will be loud and they hope you won't complain given the invitation? I was going to have a band play at my daughter's first birthday party which I knew would be loud. I was going to have it at my parents house that they had only been at for about a year or so, and was going to invite the entire cul-de-sac even though I had never met any of them except their two immediate neighbors. I never imagined that it would be seen as a request for a gift, rather, the band was going to be so good, (and loud) I just wanted everyone to come and enjoy it if they were going to be listening to it anyway Well, it didn't end up happening, b/c the band was so good that they were VERY expensive. We did end up hiring a singer, so I invited the two neighbors on either side, figuring those people are the ones who would be seeing and listening even if they weren't there. They did bring gifts, but that was never my intention. BUT they did have a great time with all the food and drink, and they are still the only ones we have ever met, but, we have gotten to know them better too, as a result.

Go and have a good time! Wal-Mart has these cute graduation gifts for even as little as .97, (what I bought to go with little presents for my daughter's preschool class, a stuffed smiley face with a mortar board), and Target has a gift card where the kids can download $15 worth of songs from itunes. It is kind of like giving a CD, but they get to pick the music, and if they want it on their computer/CD, or iPod.... Good luck.

 

[mysibee74]

My sister graduated this year--Course--my gift is quite extragent--I'm taking her to Disney!!! (we leave a week from Saturday).

I don't think the invited you for the gift--I agree they're inviting the neighbors because if you're there, you can't complain about the noise! I would give her a picture frame. My sister LOVES pictures and took so many pictures with her and her friends. She's going away to school and has already recieved cute frames that's she's going to bring with her. I've seen some great ones at Target, around $10. That's what I would do.

 

[ntburns22]

For graduation gifts I like to give photo albums. I just got a real nice one from Target for $10. They are on sale this week. My sis got several when she graduated and she loved them. SHe could take pictures with her to school and then she had places to put pics of her new friends. I think it is something they wuldn't spend thier money on for things to take to school.

 

[tweetsie]

My husband and I were invited to two graduation parties in the neighborhood and we gave them $25 each.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would attend and give $20 in a card.

 

[chop456]

We give $25 for friends, $50 for family. If this is a neighbor that you do not know all that well, $20 is plenty. IMO.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

$50 is way too much- I would give $10 if you don't attend the party & $20 if you do. You do have to live by these people.

 

[emmalgin]

Here Grade 6, 9 & 12 then University.... I roll my eyes..... As for the cell phone, mine is expensive as I need it for business & email and only get 250 minutes. I can get daughter a phone that includes unlimited incoming, 1,000 evenings & weekends and 100 minutes. It probably will end up cheaper as I can use hers a significant amount of the time. But as she is 12-13 and will be out at malls, movies with friends I think it is a decent investment.

Back to the party question, I'd still like to know how fancy it is and how much you may enjoy yourself. Always a good idea to get something that you can't put a price on (could be $5 or $200) but looks very expensive or you got at a great reduction.