Graduation Gift Ideas
10 Things to Remember When Buying a Gift For Graduation
Shopping for a gift for someone who is graduating high school or college? Make sure you keep these ten things in mind!
1. Don’t embarrass the graduate
The number one mistake you can make when buying graduation gifts for him or her is to embarrass the recipient. It is perfectly fine to reminisce and be sentimental, but don’t make the graduate feel uncomfortable or sad.
Graduation is a joyous occasion and a huge accomplishment, and that is what you should focus on!
2. Remember if they are moving
Plenty of graduates move out of state after graduating college or move out of state to go to college, and if this is the case, purchasing a large gift that isn’t easy to transport may not be the best idea.
3. Buy what they want
In some cases, a practical student gift might make sense, but for graduation, get them something they truly want.
This is a special occasion that deserves a totally unique gift.
4. Join forces
Maybe there is one big item that the graduate wants. Instead of having to get the item all on your own, come together with friends and family to raise the funds needed so you can surprise the graduate with the gift they really want.
5. Don’t be too serious
Sure, graduation is an important moment, but keep in mind the graduate is still just a young adult.
Keep your gift fun and exciting!
6. Consider their degree
If the person is graduating from college, consider what they went to school for, and use that as inspiration for your gift.
7. Tech gifts are always nice
You can never go wrong with a tech gift for graduation. You don’t have to break the bank, but some new cool gadgets could make for the perfect graduation gift.
8. Luxury items
Does this graduate have a job lined up? Consider getting them a nice version of an item that they need.
Is it a male who needs cufflinks for his suit? Why not get him a really nice pair or a monogrammed pair? A woman starting work? Why not get her a nice bag she can take with her on her first day?
9. Get them something so they can keep in touch
Graduation always marks a new, exciting beginning. A high school graduate going off to college, or a college graduate moving away and starting a new job in a new place.
Consider an item that will help them stay in touch with friends and family once they’re moved away.
10. Inspire the graduate
Graduation is an exciting time, but also a time of anxiety and uncertainty. It can feel overwhelming to graduate and start a new chapter in life.
Why not get the graduate a gift that will inspire them and give them the confidence they need to succeed in their next chapter?
The Graduation Gifts You Will Find Nowhere Else
Nothing comes close to being momentous than graduating from college or high school. Education is not for the faint ones. Remember the other day your mom and dad dropped you at the hall of residence.
Being tossed in the air and parting ways with your cap makes you feel on top of the world.
But the most epic milestone of them is grabbing that diploma, taking that maiden photo (to be displayed in the living room for everyone to see), and of course, receiving your graduation gifts.
How Much Money do you Give for a Graduation Gift: Our Tips
The graduation season is right around the corner! This is an exciting time for both high school and college graduates as they embark on a new and exciting journey in life!
No matter how long ago it was when you graduated, you probably clearly remember that time in your life.
It is one of the most memorable, exciting, and scary times. It is also clearly a time to celebrate. Most children (or their parents) decide to throw a big graduation party - are you invited to one?
The next question you probably have is, how much money should you give? That’s an important question and one that isn’t always easy to answer.
Thankfully, we’ve gathered some tips that will make the decision easier for you.
1. Consider your relationship to the graduate
This is one of the main determining factors when thinking of how much to give.
The closer you are to the graduate, the more sense it makes to give more of a generous gift.
If you are their parent or grandparent, you are clearly going to give more money than if you are just a neighbor.
If you are a friend of the family, you aren’t obligated to give as much as family members may feel.
If you are a family member, consider how close you are to the graduate.
Are you an aunt or uncle? Sibling? Cousin? All of this can help determine what you should give.
Also, keep in mind if you are the same age (or close to the same age) as the graduate does not feel obligated to give a large gift even if you are family.
You are probably in the same, or a similar, situation to the graduate!
2. Think back to what you gave at previous graduations
Have you attended several graduations recently? What did you give at those graduation parties? What you gave then can help give you a starting point when thinking of what to give at this graduation.
If you are going to another graduation for someone on the same level as previous graduations, why not just give the same amount?
If this time around you are attending a party for someone you are closer to, consider increasing the amount slightly.
Or, if you previously attended graduation for a family member and are now attending one for a neighbor’s child, consider slightly decreasing the amount you gave previously.
Keep in mind that choosing to give less money isn’t about being selfish or greedy, it is more about being practical!
For most of us, we can’t give a ton of money to each and every child we see graduate, even if we want to.
There are guidelines in place to help understand when to give more and when to feel comfortable giving less. Don’t feel guilty, everyone does the same thing!
3. If possible, recall what you received as a gift from them at graduation
Did your child recently graduate and throw a party? How much did they receive as a gift? If you are in this situation this is a great way to help figure out what to give.
Maybe the current graduate’s family gave a gift at your child’s graduation. Why not just match what they gave now that it is your turn?
This makes it really easy on you, as you don’t have to worry about feeling guilty over giving the wrong amount.
If you give more they may feel bad that they did not do the same, and if you give less, you don’t have to worry that they will remember and feel slighted.
Even if it isn’t the exact same family, consider what other families gave as gifts for yours or your child’s graduation.
This is still a great starting point that can help get you in the ballpark for what you should consider giving this time around.
4. Base your decision based on what graduation it is
Are we celebrating high school graduation, undergrad college graduation, or graduation from a master’s program? This is just one more determining factor that you can use when considering what to give.
The older one gets, the more they are likely to have larger expenses coming up (and let’s face it, probably some amount of student loan debt).
They clearly need the money the most, so maybe hold out and gift more to the college grads than the high school ones.
Coupled with other information like how close you are to the graduate and previous gifts received you can get a pretty good idea of what you should be giving.
5. Only give what you can afford
Finally, this is the most important tip to keep in mind. Only give what you can afford!
While the other tips can help guide you towards a decision, the final determining factor should be your financial situation and what you can afford to give.
Even if you are a close family member, if you cannot afford to give a large financial gift, don’t break the bank to try and do so.
Considering what other people have given in the past can help guide you, but do not ever feel pressured to match a certain gift if you don’t feel you can afford it.
At the end of the day, giving a gift of any amount will be (or absolutely should be) appreciated by the graduate.
Do not stress yourself out over something like this, it isn’t worth it!
Especially if you have numerous graduations to attend this year, do not feel like you have to break the bank in order to give large sums of money to everyone. Do what is comfortable and what you are able to do.
Finally...
If you decide to give money as a graduation gift, that doesn’t mean you don’t have any more decisions to make!
Deciding what the appropriate amount of money to give is can be a bit of a challenge, but these tips will help guide you towards the right amount.
Ultimately, the right amount to give is an amount you are comfortable with and that you can afford.
