Graduation gift amount

[Bouffantrex]

So my sister-in-law's niece is graduating high school and I have been tasked with attending her graduation party.

It has been several years since I've been in this position. What is the going rate for a high school graduation gift these days?

To be frank, I find her to be rather entitled, and her parents are well off and indulgent. However, I don't want to come across as a cheap spendthrift.

Please help!

 

[once_upon]

I'm confused-what relationship to you is this girl?

I can't figure it out. That would color my gift importance/amount. Certainly if she was also my niece it would be a big consideration. But it sounds like you are more like someone who knows someone rather than a family member

 

[Aceon6]

In my area, $50 or $100 is common IF you are close with the family and see them at more than weddings, funerals, and graduations. I’m guessing this isn’t the case here, so a physical gift might make more sense. Do you have any re-gifting opportunities?

 

[MacMadame]

My standard here is a $25 gift certificate either to somewhere I think they will enjoy spending it or a generic one that can be spent anywhere.

I would not do $50 or $100 for someone I barely knew and had little contact with.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

$20-$25 gift card tucked in a card would be perfect.

 

[manhn]

Yes, if they are going away for college (and this is the US?), then 25 dollar gift card to Target would be good.

 

[once_upon]

Definitely $50-$100 IF she was MY niece.

But for someone like my cousin's kids, a small amount gift card IF I was closer to them.

A friend's kid who sent me a graduation announcement or a party invitation maybe a gift card like @manhn suggested but more likely a just a Hallmark card.

 

[Deleted member 221]

I usually try to give a gift commensurate with the type of party. Maybe it's my hang-up, but I try to at least cover the cost of my attendance (and cost of anyone I'm bringing if I'm not going alone).

If it's something casual -- e.g., a barbecue or pot luck and I'm bringing some type of dish -- then $50 (or $25 if it's very casual).

If it's anything fancy or catered or if there's open bar (regardless of whether I'm drinking), I'd go with $100 or potentially more if I'm bringing one or more guests.

 

[once_upon]

Some of ya'll go to more elaborate graduation or wedding celebrations than I will ever attend.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Yes, absolutely a Hallmark? card ?

 

[Bouffantrex]

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone.

Yes, absolutely a Hallmark? card ?

I don't think anyone reads the card anymore. I'll stick to the 2 for $1.10 cards at Dollar Tree, thank you very much.

If it's anything fancy or catered or if there's open bar (regardless of whether I'm drinking), I'd go with $100 or potentially more if I'm bringing one or more guests.

The family is rich but cheap. Alas, I am quite certain there will be no open bar (sadly for me).

Has anyone here tried purchasing a cryptocurrency gift certifcate? It might be more unique than your standard gift card?

 

[misskarne]

Stay well clear of anything to do with crypto. It's mostly a scam, and a young person with minimal experience is unlikely to be able to tell the difference between the legit and scam ones. (If it has a gift certificate, it's probably a scam one anyway.) You don't want to start them down that path.

How about a cute graduation bear, holding a Spotify or Netflix gift card? I'm sure anyone going away for college is going to be showered in practical gifts, but one to give them a study break might be nice.

 

[jadingirl]

I've never heard of a high school graduation party. I would steer clear of the giftcards for any type of streaming. My mom use to give itunes cards to my daughter but we have a subscription so they are still sitting unused.

If she is going away to school the best gift is cash - that's the one thing they will use. 50$ is probably the best amount for a niece-in-law.

 

[Winnipeg]

I would go with $50.00 in the case described above.

 

[once_upon]

I've never heard of a high school graduation party. I would steer clear of the giftcards for any type of streaming. My mom use to give itunes cards to my daughter but we have a subscription so they are still sitting unused.

If she is going away to school the best gift is cash - that's the one thing they will use. 50$ is probably the best amount for a niece-in-law.

The graduation parties I am accustomed to/aware of are open house ones, where the family of the graduates display photos, awards, activity records on display boards also senior pictures. Lite dessert things, fruit, chips, are placed in a buffet setting with a sheet cake saying " Congratulations". The kids are chomping at the bit to leave because all their friends have parties the same day.

But then I don't move in high society circles

 

[myhoneyhoney]

I don't think anyone reads the card anymore. I'll stick to the 2 for $1.10 cards at Dollar Tree, thank you very much.

The 2 for $1 Heartline cards at Dollar Tree? Those are nice cards from Hallmark. ? They have Grad cards up now, but hurry some stores sell out fast!

 

[Bouffantrex]

A $50 bill and a dollar store card it is. Thanks all.

 

[skatfan]

I come from a very working class background and I had a graduation party for family and close friends of the family. Waaaay back in 1976! I think the biggest gift other than from parents was about $20.

 

[Aceon6]

I come from a very working class background and I had a graduation party for family and close friends of the family. Waaaay back in 1976! I think the biggest gift other than from parents was about $20.

$20 was a LOT of money in 76 when the minimum wage was $2.30.