What's the right (cash) amount for a college graduation gift? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

What's the right (cash) amount for a college graduation gift?

Peri

Veteran

I really don't like giving cash gifts. For one thing, there is no hiding the amount! But this is the daughter of a close friend and I've been told that this is what she wants, needs, etc. And apparently cash is the thing to give these days. It seems to be what is done.

If you've had grads, what seems to be the norm? And is it better to give cash or write a check?

Off Topic

14 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

Isis

Veteran

I don't know if this is "correct", but I give $100. And I do it as cash as young people don't even know what to do with a check, it seems!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

$50- $100 depending on your budget. A nice gift card also works along with the money. A generic cheep store like walmart where they can stock up. I have had two graduate from college.

crutcher

Veteran

I think it would depend on your budget and how close you are to the person..For a close friend's child, I would give one amount, for a casual neighbor, less...I also like the gift cards from stores...Target is great on back to college selections basic stuff...

Anonymous

In my family, $50 has been the norm. My youngest DD just graduated (Hallelujuah), and will start college this summer. I'd probably give the same to a close friend, and less to a neighbor or to one of my DD's friends.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I would say 'whatever you can afford'. But I think $50 is a very nice gesture, and if you can afford a little more, then do that

Ditto on the gift cards, especially Target! The Target at Atlantic Station is always full of Ga Tech/GSU kids, and the selection of pretty much everything is usually picked clean. College kids seem to looove Target.

Elle

Veteran

Generally I'll give $50-75 depending on how close I am to the family. I use checks since that way I know it got there. But, really, whatever you can afford is the correct amount. It's a gift after all.

Laurie

Veteran

Here's a question - are you obligated to give a gift (cash expected) just because you were sent a graduation notice? In one case it is just a photo card - "Leah is graduating!" In the other it is also an invitation to a party which is out of town and I would not be expected to go.

These are all children of various first cousins (so my 2nd cousins). None is special to me like a godchild. I'm not particularly close to these cousins, other than a 1 or 2 time a year family reunion event.

Peri

Veteran

Laurie, I wouldn't think that obligates a gift. Especially if it involves lots of kids and you say you aren't close. I think they are probably just announcements, but if your cousins are sending you an invitation just to get a gift, that isn't so etiquette friendly in the first place!

DonnaF

Veteran

I never sent out announcements (for HS, college, grad school or law school) because I felt it was like begging for a gift. DD didn't send any out for HS and probably won't for college, didn't have a party for HS, and probably won't have one for college because she may not come home. If I were sent an announcement but didn't know the grad well enough to send money or give a gift, I think I might still send a card of congratulations.

Glory

Veteran

I think it depends on how close the person is and what you can afford. In the past I have given $100 in cash (one bill if I can) to children of very close friends, nieces and nephews.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I received only one gift and it was $100 in cash - I think cash is probably more useful than items, unless you know what they want/need, because dorm rooms are tiny!

I think I typically give in the $50 to $100 range depending on the individual graduating and what I think of them.

Anonymous

I used to be very good in sending cash as graduation presents to family members until I never received a thank you note in return. Then I stopped and only send a card. Funny, but money I gave to friends' kids always called me immediately to thank me and would follow up with a thank you note. Later these same kids would send me a Christmas card each year and I send one to them. I usually give anywhere from $25 to $50 and may add a small gift as well.

unfrumped

Veteran

If there are lots of graduates, it can get expensive! We have done the $100 bill for children of our closest friends, church youth (a small group), and our DD's closest friends. I guess at some point inflation may move that upwards. In some ways, we mostly only get involved with the closer friends' graduates, but I would feel comfortable giving less, $40 or even a $25 gift card if not that close but felt I should give something. A nice congratulatory card and note and even a small gift card to me is a nice thing. That is one reason why cash has become our mainstay of such gifts, it is what it is and they can all use more, compared to picking out "stuff" and still having to decide how much to invest in that.
For "readers" we have also in the past selected a special book along with cash, but it gets harder now with e-books and such.

Carole

Veteran

The typical is $50 around here for friends etc.