How much to give for graduation?

[spyrosmom]

I'm gonna start another graduation thread. My brother's wife's son from her 1st marriage has graduated HS and we just got an invite to the party. We won't be going to the party, its a bit too far away. He's my nephew, and I feel like I should send something, but I don't know how much. They've been married for 10 years or so, and we've known the kids for probably 12. However, we hardly ever see them maybe once or twice a year at family functions. My bro and sis in law have custody, but her kids (she has 2) go to their dad's at Christmas, however I do get them Christmas gifts, most recently gift cards because they are older and I don't know what to get. He's a nice kid, but I don't really know him, so I will send a gift card - he is going away to school as far as I know, or a check. I just don't know how much. Normally Xmas is in the $25 range bc I have a lot of people to buy for. I was thinking $50 grad, but that seems like a lot to me, where $25 seems cheap. What's the going rate for a nephew by 2nd marriage who I see 2x a year?

Nan

 

[nancy324]

Nan, I don't know, but I just want to empathize with you. This year is winding up being SO expensive for us, and my DH and I are having trouble agreeing on amounts. We have the bar mitzvah of my cousin's son, my niece's graduation, my DH's nephew's wedding, and the bar/bat mitzvah of my DH's niece and nephew TRIPLETS. And my DH decided to pay for my stepson's Father's Day bash this year IN FULL. I don't know where you live, but around here cash gifts are measured in the hundreds of dollars. Ah well, I could have much worse problems. But GEEZ I have trouble signing those checks.

 

[shelsmaha]

I had a son graduate this year and most of his $ gifts were 20-25. I always do 20 plus the year in cents. As in 20.09 I took sooo many 20.09 checks to parties this year...ugh I spent more on my son's friends than his party I think!! But these were all kids we have grown up with so well worth it!!

 

[chefkate]

I had a son graduate this year and most of his $ gifts were 20-25. I always do 20 plus the year in cents. As in 20.09 I took sooo many 20.09 checks to parties this year...ugh I spent more on my son's friends than his party I think!! But these were all kids we have grown up with so well worth it!!

i do the same thing!

we are getting SLAMMED w/ open house invites this yr! its been relatively quiet the past few yrs but this yr we've gotten so many!

 

[Dela]

As a personal preference, I prefer a $25 gift card over $25 in cash, for some reason that amount in cash doesn't seem like all that much, but I love gift cards in any denomination. Especially if the gift card has stuff that you can buy for under $25. Like a Starbucks card for $25 is awesome or for itunes is great, because you can get a lot of stuff for it, but a gift card for $25 for electronics, barely scratches the surface. But that's just me.

But this is a tough equation, to be honest, I don't even think the gift will be expected, and it's really nice of you to send anything, so the $25 range is just fine.

 

[JeanneMarie]

We have also been hit heavy this year with graduation notices.

For close friends and family, we give $100. If we don't know them as well, we give $50.

I think the gift card idea is okay, but beware. Sometimes gift cards are not such a great idea because some of them expire. Sometimes kids will stick them in their wallets and never think to use them until it's too late. Money never expires!!

 

[looking good]

Hey Nan,

So with you it hard to know. I gave my nephew who we never see but once in a blue moon $100 for graduation...but I think $50 is more than fine. I did $100 because a few years back that is what I gave his sister so I did not want him to feel bad otherwise with things the way they are I would have probably done $50. Also they live in GA and we are in NY and we could not go for the graduation and felt bad because we were able to make his sister a few years ago.

Therese

 

[melanalyus]

$20. For immediate family, $50