Ditch the Money Envelope — These Grad Gifts for Kids Encourage an Ongoing Love of Learning (2024)

FAQs

What is the monetary gift for high school graduation? ›

High School Graduation

For high school grads, the average gift is around $50 to $200. To decide an amount, consider if this is a close friend or family member. You may also want to talk to other people who are giving gifts to decide how much you will give to the graduate.

It is an etiquette myth that if you receive a graduation announcement you must send a gift. Announcements do not equal invitations to a graduation. You are not obligated to give a gift, although you may choose to do so. Whether or not you send a present, a card or note of congratulations is always appreciated.

According to this piece, financial planners say the gift should be equal to approximately one month's rent or mortgage payment, somewhere around $1,000. The article said parents should give their children between $1,000 and $5,000 when they graduate from college.

Co-worker: $20 - $30. Close friend or sibling: $25-$75. Niece, Nephew, Grandkid: : $50- $100. Son or Daughter: $100- $500.

I would think you all could create a clever invitation that could read “no gifts necessary, but if you would like to contribute to reduce the student loan debt crisis, a monetary gift would be greatly appreciated.”

Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark. Some families and family friends may choose to spend closer to $100 - $500, depending on their finances and the needs of the graduate.

If the graduate is: A child of parents: $100-500. A child of close relatives (for instance, grandparents): $50-300. A distant relative: $50-100.

Think of books that have helped or influenced your own life. If they'll be living on their own, a budgeting and finance book would be helpful. Consider audio and ebooks as well if your student isn't into turning pages.

According to McKee, receiving a graduation announcement in the mail does not mean you need to send a gift, so don't feel obligated. As a courtesy, add a line to graduation announcements forwarded to those not invited to a celebration, reminding them that no gift is necessary.

Usually they do give gifts to the graduate but it's not mandatory. Going out to dinner may be a perfectly acceptable gift. It's a personal choice for the parents.

How much money should I give my grandson for high school graduation? ›

Grandparents should only give as much as they are comfortable giving, and only as much as they can give if every child in the family graduates. $50 or $100 USD is nice for this major milestone, but remember that you set a precedent with the first graduate and need to sustain it for each additional grandchild.

Friend's children, in a situation where you know the child well, give $50 for high school and $50-$100 for college. If you are friends with the parent and don't really know the child, send $25 or blow it off.

I would say $150-$200. But it depends upon the financial means of the grandparents and what their relationship is with the grandchild. I usually give $25-$50 to my friends' children and would expect their relatives are giving much more. If you mean money, I don't think your grandparents owe you anything.

While it's not required to bring a gift to a graduation party, etiquette recommends that all attendees bring a card and/or small gift. When deciding whether to bring a present, you should factor in how close you are to the graduate, how large the party will be, and how many parties you will be attending.

With that type of financial commitment staring them in the face, cash for graduation will be a welcome gift. Come to think of it, cash is probably a good idea for birthday and holiday gifts while they're completing their graduate studies.

And as much as graduates appreciate traditional gifts, what they really appreciate is money. Extra cash helps graduates face new financial challenges with less stress, whether they're planning to earn another degree, pay back student loans, or move to a new city.

If you receive a graduation announcement, sending a gift isn't required, although a card congratulating the graduate is always appreciated. If you're invited to the ceremony or the graduation party, then you should ideally bring a gift.

There is too much of an opportunity to break or misplace the graduation gift. Money and gift cards are appropriate and welcome. A few gift card ideas: think gas, grocery, coffee, mega store and even iTunes gift cards. Always include a card and a handwritten note with the gift card, check or cash.