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Contributor
Posts: 77
Registered: ‎04-11-2010

How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

[ Edited ]

Hoping you will help me with a slight dilemma: how much do you give for a high school graduation gift?  When I graduated high school in the 1990's, $100 was considered a very generous gift, but I don't know if that's enough now.  My nephew and Goddaughter are graduating, and I want to give them a good gift.  I was thinking $250 each would be a really nice gift, but my husband thinks that isn't enough.  What do you think?  (We don't have kids, so I really don't know what kids are getting these days.). Thank you!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,501
Registered: ‎11-16-2014

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?


@Lilpuddin wrote:

Hoping you will help me with a slight dilemma: how much do you give for a high school graduation gift?  When I graduated high school in the 1990's, $100 was considered a very generous gift, but I don't know if that's enough now.  My nephew and Goddaughter are graduating, and I want to give them a good gift.  I was thinking $250 each would be a really nice gift, but my husband thinks that isn't enough.  What do you think?


Truthfully, I think it is dependent upon your income/finances and how close you are to your nephew and goddaughter. Only you can answer that question.

 

Good luck!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,463
Registered: ‎05-30-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

[ Edited ]

It depends on how close the relationship is for me to give a graduation gift. $250 is very  generous. $100 would be more inline, IMO. I have been sent these announcements from cousins whose child is graduating from high school. I've never met the child, never receive any communication from the cousin, therefore I ignore these announcements.

 

As other have noted, also consider your finances.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,916
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

The answer is a very personal one and depends on many things. IMO $100.00 is a very generous gift for a family member graduating from high school.

My brother, who is very well off financially, gifts very, shall we say, conservatively. Other family members seem generous to a fault, beyond their means.

The monetary amount of your gift can not define you and your husband, nor can it define your relationships with the graduates.

I would save the larger gift amounts for college graduations, when those loans start coming due!

I am sure those special graduates will genuinely appreciate any amount they receive.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,433
Registered: ‎06-21-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

I think $100.00 is very generous.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,305
Registered: ‎06-08-2016

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

I gave a grandson of a former marriage $50.   He's attending college locally, on scholarship.   Hope it helps with gas.  I rarely see him but I keep up with how he's doing through my DD, her sister is the mom.

 

Both his parents passed away, not at the same time, and he's such a good guy.  He seemed very appreciative.

 

$100 is generous and adequate, it's not a wedding.

I think it's more significant for the parents to gift the graduate with something very special..

I got a gold watch from my parents when I graduated. $25 was common in 1971 in our circle of friends/family

$250 would be very nice, if you can handle it financially.

 

@Lilpuddin

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,539
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

Children of friends, we gave $50.00.  We gave our granddaughter $300.00.....about 6 years ago.  We have not had a graduation in many years so I don't know the 'going rate' currently.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,407
Registered: ‎07-07-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

I gave my next door neighbor $100 when he graduated because I have known him since he was a little boy and he is just a really nice guy.  When we get invites from relatives that we rarely see, it is $50.  For our server at our local diner, who works many hours a week as she prepares to head to college, we gave her $50 and usually tip her $10 when we eat at the diner.  Much depends on finances and relationship, imo.

The next time that I hear salt and ice together, it better be in a margarita!
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 141
Registered: ‎05-05-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

I think both of the dollar amounts you mention are very generous and would be appreciated by the graduate. Last year for my godson's HS graduation I gave a monetary gift and also paid for the cake at his party. If that wasn't possible, I would have just given a bit more money. My own child was thrilled with all HS grad gifts, regardless of how big or little the amount.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,460
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: How Much To Give For High School Graduation Gift?

I think $250 is more than enough.   I have one nephew and gave him $100 when he graduated 10 years ago.   My husband has 10 nieces and nephews, and they got $50 each when they graduated.    

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