Do you bring a gift to a graduation party? (2024)

FAQs

Do you bring a gift to a graduation party? ›

Do You Bring Gifts to a Graduation Party or Commencement Ceremony? The short answer is, “Absolutely!” Bringing gifts to a graduation party is a celebrated tradition, acting as a symbol of your support and congratulations.

A gift or a friendly card to surprise the graduate and their family is appropriate. If you attend the commencement ceremony, you should send a gift.

Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark. Some families and family friends may choose to spend closer to $100 - $500, depending on their finances and the needs of the graduate.

Workwear can be a great gift if that's where they're headed; a backpack or tech carrying case will be a win for a grad taking a gap year to travel. For those headed to college, swag can get them psyched in advance. “Branded college swag would be a great gift for a teen headed off to college,” suggests Wigal.

Do You Bring Gifts to a Graduation Party or Commencement Ceremony? The short answer is, “Absolutely!” Bringing gifts to a graduation party is a celebrated tradition, acting as a symbol of your support and congratulations.

You can always give a gift or a gift card instead of money. Family usually gives more than friends. Think about the relationship you have with the graduate before choosing an amount. If there is a party and you are not attending, etiquette rules say you are not required to send a gift.

When it comes to high school graduation gifts, it's best to keep things modest. A good range to consider is: $20 - $50: For acquaintances or distant relatives. $50 - $100: For close friends and immediate family members.

Giving $100 or more (depending on your budget and relationship) is common, but there are no specific rules. A very small sum can seem unimpressive, though, whether it's in cash or on a gift card, so peruse popular presents for high school graduates.

That average graduation party price tag of $1,128.15 in the infographic above if for a party for 60 people. That comes out to $18.81 per person. If you cut the guest list in half, you cut the budget in half too. A party for 30 people would be just $564.30.

Is $20 dollars a good graduation gift? ›

We've compiled the following breakdown of recommend gift amounts based on your relationship: Co-worker: $20 - $30. Close friend or sibling: $25-$75. Niece, Nephew, Grandkid: : $50- $100.

In that case, a graduation card accompanied by cash, a check or a digital payment may be the very gift they need and will actually treasure.

Graduation Gifts

Jewelry (often engraved with the date), books, cash or stock certificates, luggage, a camera, or graduation rings are all presents the graduate will appreciate in the years ahead.

The amount varies based on age bracket, but parents are typically the highest spenders. The average high school graduation money gift is between $30 and $200 dollars.

It's traditional to either splurge on something nice yet practical (think high-quality work wardrobe pieces or a tech device that'll help 'em out in the post-grad world) or give a sentimental gift (like a gorgeous ring, keepsake box, or photo album) to mark the end of a chapter.

If you receive an invitation to a graduation party, you are obligated to send a gift. "If you're going to go to a party, you really should give a gift. You should actually bring a hostess gift when you go to the party something like a bottle of wine.

Close friend: If a good friend is graduating, a $50 to $100 gift is a good choice. Acquaintance or co-worker: Spend less for someone you don't know quite as well. A good range is $30 to $75.

First and foremost, how much should an average graduation party cost? Financial service site FinancialBuzz.com said in 2022 the average American spent around $1,100 on a party for 60 people. That number includes food, drinks, decorations, tables and settings.