topic Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice in Community Chat

Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

SXMGirl — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:41:27 GMT

My friend and I have both been invited to a graduation party next Saturday. The young man who is graduating has been raised by his grandmother, who is a personal friend of ours. Other than pictures that his grandmother posts on FB, we have only seen this young man one time, and it was just the back of his head as he was playing video games. By all accounts, he is a very nice young man, who works and is involved in just about everything in his small school.

We have decided to get gift cards for him, but the question is the amount. We first thought $25 each, but it seems to be not enough given the circumstances of no grad ceremony. He is going to college in the fall, but he decided to go to community college instead of the one that was planned.

My thought now is to up the amount to $50 each, just because of our friendship with his grandmother. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

alicedee — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:44:55 GMT

For a young person you do not know, I would give $25.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Laura14 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:49:42 GMT

My initial thought was $25 gift card too but, if you are close with the grandmother, it would be a gift to her as well to up the amount if you can afford it.

Hope he knows what a thank you note is too. Very nice of you either way.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

jackthebear — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:51:23 GMT

$25 to $50

is nice

might suggest cash so he doesn't end up with a bunch of gift cards to different stores that he can't use for a big purchases.

10 $10 cards to Target

are better than 10 $10 to different places, jmpo

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:03:23 GMT

@SXMGirl I think $50 sounds right, due to your relationship with the grandmother. And I would stick with cash. He will have various expenses in the fall.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

SXMGirl — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:03:59 GMT

Thanks for your replies. I do believe that the gift is more about our friendship with his grandmother.

@jackthebear I thought about cash, but I am always concerned that it will disappear. I am sure that his mother and her boyfriend will be there, and they have issues, i.e.money disappearing.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

drizzellla — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:12:39 GMT

Sounds sad that he had to change his choice of colleges. And up until that point, I was thinking $25 would be just fine.

It sounds like money is a consideration in the college he will be attending. And so I am changing my thoughts to $50.

And I also hope you get a thank you note.

PS - If you do get a gift card please get it at a store that he will frequent. I realize all high school students are not the same but I don't think my son has ever been in a Target store. But I know he would gladly use a WaWa card. Then he could get gas for his car and food/snack items.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

CelticCrafter — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:08:34 GMT

Given the fact that you have only ever seen him once and even then it wasn't face to face I feel that $25 is more than enough.

If it were me, I wouldn't up the gift just because his grandmother is a personal friend.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

SXMGirl — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:11:00 GMT

@drizzellla Money is not actually a problem. I think the pandemic has more to do with it, along with concerns about leaving the area and going to an out-of-state school where he knows no one. At his school, he is the big deal, and his grandparents do everything for him.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Janey2 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:13:19 GMT

If you are able to give $50 comfortably I would not give less. You have to consider your relationship with the grandmother. I would give cash. Gift cards might not work well in our times (virus).

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Karie2022 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:14:59 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
Sounds sad that he had to change his choice of colleges. And up until that point, I was thinking $25 would be just fine.

It sounds like money is a consideration in the college he will be attending. And so I am changing my thoughts to $50.

And I also hope you get a thank you note.

PS - If you do get a gift card please get it at a store that he will frequent. I realize all high school students are not the same but I don't think my son has ever been in a Target store. But I know he would gladly use a WaWa card. Then he could get gas for his car and food/snack items.

I know this topic has been mentioned ad nauseam, but good luck on the thankyou note-I have not received a thank you note in a long time, this includes, weddings, birthdays etc. 😜

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

SXMGirl — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:17:13 GMT

@Karie2022 I have no expectations of a thank you note unless it comes from my friend!

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Laura14 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:19:30 GMT

@Karie2022 That is so sad isn't it? Both my sisters made their kids hand write thank you notes for every birthday gift until they got older. Manners need to make a comeback.

As for what gift card, Amazon is always a winner. Can't think of anyone who wouldn't use it for something.

If I don't know if they have an Apple Phone (iTunes gets a lot of love) or if they visit Starbucks which is also a winner most of the time, it's my go to GC.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Karie2022 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:23:36 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@Karie2022 That is so sad isn't it? Both my sisters made their kids hand write thank you notes for every birthday gift until they got older. Manners need to make a comeback.

As for what gift card, Amazon is always a winner. Can't think of anyone who wouldn't use it for something.

If I don't know if they have an Apple Phone (iTunes gets a lot of love) or if they visit Starbucks which is also a winner most of the time, it's my go to GC.

I did the same with my kids...even a text or email would be fine, but to do nothing is incredibly rude.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Vivian — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:34:51 GMT

I'd go for $50 each if you can afford it. The kids who graduated this year from high school or college have been cheated out of ceremonies and celebrations. My granddaughter is one of them. I'd be generous to acknowledge what they lost.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

meem120 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:37:49 GMT

I think $50 is a perfect amount.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

Silver Lining — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:46:25 GMT

@SXMGirl wrote:
My friend and I have both been invited to a graduation party next Saturday. The young man who is graduating has been raised by his grandmother, who is a personal friend of ours. Other than pictures that his grandmother posts on FB, we have only seen this young man one time, and it was just the back of his head as he was playing video games. By all accounts, he is a very nice young man, who works and is involved in just about everything in his small school.

We have decided to get gift cards for him, but the question is the amount. We first thought $25 each, but it seems to be not enough given the circumstances of no grad ceremony. He is going to college in the fall, but he decided to go to community college instead of the one that was planned.

My thought now is to up the amount to $50 each, just because of our friendship with his grandmother. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

High school graduation and going on to college are very significant milestones. Since he is involved in a variety of activities, there are many things related to participating in them so money will come in very handy. I would give him fifty dollars if you're comfortable with that amount. Whether or not you really know him, I think he will appreciate any amount. You mentioned that his grandmother raised him. She'll be happy for him and pleased that you are attending the celebration and giving him something (cash) which will be very useful.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

sunshine45 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:50:06 GMT

$50 if you are very close to the grandmother and want to celebrate.

i am sure she is very proud.

there is nothing wrong with the $25 though if funds are tight.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

esmerelda — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:07:05 GMT

@SXMGirl If $50 is affordable for you, give that.

eta...I don't know what the "circumstances of no graduation ceremony" has to do with the amount of gift.

Re: Need Graduation Money Gift Advice

jackthebear — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:10:47 GMT

@SXMGirl wrote:
Thanks for your replies. I do believe that the gift is more about our friendship with his grandmother.

@jackthebear I thought about cash, but I am always concerned that it will disappear. I am sure that his mother and her boyfriend will be there, and they have issues, i.e.money disappearing.

ah hah, maybe amazon card then ?

that you could just email to him