CommunityBrowse groupsBlogEtiquetteInvite Your friendsSuccess Stories

Lounge
Community 


College Graduation Present Question..........

My nephew is graduating college.

Do you think a college graduate would like money or a present for graduation.

If money is your answer - how much money do you think is appropriate these days for a college graduation present?


Wed. May 16, 6:07pm

Add comment  
When I graduated college, I got both, and both were appreciated. The presents were generally things I could use when I started my job- a nice briefcase for work, a fountain pen, a gift certificate for dry cleaning (that one was very handy). I think that something appropriate for your nephew's next step in life might be good. In terms of cash, it seemed to range from $25 to $100, with most somewhere in the middle. But I suspect the amount of cash gifts varies a lot by family norms and things.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:25 PM

Add comment
If you don't know exactly what kind of present he might like, money is great. I feel like $25 is the minimum, unless you are strapped for cash yourself. I would gladly have taken anything larger than that, too!

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 6:45 PM

Add comment
I think that typical aunts/uncles give on the order of $250 for graduation. Again, depends on the family. Parents generally give $1000 and grandparents $500. That's my experience though. It depends how close you are to your nephew. I would say to ask the parents what they are giving him and get something approximately 1/4 of the value.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 8:00 PM

Add comment
I just graduated college 3 years ago and NEVER got that much money from anyone in my family. I certainly wasn't upset though. I got mostly $20-25 from people. The big numbers were around $50 from a few relatives and family friends.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 9:56 PM

Add comment
OP here.........

Thanks so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it!

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 12:57 AM

Add comment
my parents didnt give me anything close to 1000!! I think money is great at any amount but you should look at the DR Suess book "Oh the places you'll go" and write a personal message on the inside. The book is awesome and I got it as a gift and now give it when I get the chance
~stand~

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 3:37 AM

Add comment
Nowhere near $1000 here either - wow!

My gifts were also along the $25-100 range. When my neice graduated last year I got her a luggage set because I knew she'd be traveling.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 9:56 AM

Add comment
I agree that "the places you'll go" is a great book! However, I got like 3 copies of it at my graduation. All 3 had money inside too. The personal messages were appreciated, but really, what am I going to do with 3 copies of the same book??

It depends on what your nephew is moving on to. If he's going to be on his own for the first time, supporting himself, etc., he will probably appreciate money more than anything. If he's about to rent his first apartment, he'll need to put down first and last month's rent, plus he'll have to start paying for utilities, food, etc., probably before he gets his first paycheck.

Otherwise, nice and useful presents like a nice briefcase or pen, but with a gift receipt (b/c there may be duplicate gifts). There are lots of things that a recent graduate needs; try and stick within those subjects. When I graduated, one of my parents' friends gave me a plastic beach bag with a pair of flip flops inside (not even my size). I was moving to Chicago, not Miami! That ended up being a gift to one of my friend's younger sisters. It just wasn't worth the space it would take to pack and move.

Other options might be a set of dishes or silverware (places like Target sell stuff like that very reasonably), or some barware, towels, linens, etc. But if you're going to get something like that, ask for his opinion; don't expect that he has the same taste that you do. He also might be fine with things that he has leftover from college.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 10:23 AM

Add comment
Money. A nice card with a heartfelt, well-written note to the graduate makes more of an impression than a generic gift. Even if you buy him something practical, he probably would prefer to pick it out himself. I'm not even a big fan of gift cards. People think they are more thoughtful somehow but if you are a bargain shopper they basically force you to shop one place. For example, when I graduated high school (I am in college) I got like 20 Target gift cards that I had to use but the stuff I wanted was cheaper at Walmart and Sam's Club. I could have used their money more wisely! Of course any gift is always appreciated but I am a huge fan of 50 dollars cash in a cute simple card with a note about how proud of him you are and that you will always be there for him.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 12:14 PM

Add comment
$250 from aunt's and uncles? $500 from grandparents? and $1000 from parents??? Wow! I think i got $100 from my parents and the keys to drive their station wagon for the summer! I'm wondering how many times the person who stated those amounts as "typical" in his/her experience, graduated?

To answer the Op's question-go with your gut and your relationship to your nephew. If you know him well enough to know his needs/wants then go with a gift, if that is a little fuzzy these days go with money or a gift card. Most grads (especially college ones) are thrilled to get anything after living bare for so long!

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 1:01 PM

Add comment
I got $500 from my grandparents for graduation, and I got a car and bedroom furniture from my parents. I don't think this is typical though; I just appreciate that I was more fortunate than most!

My parents' friends mostly gave me $50 to $100, and most relatives were around the same.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 2:51 PM

Add comment
I think the most I got from any family member was $250, but the uncle that gave it to me is a doctor. Most family members gave me between $25 and $75 - cash/ or check and a nice card.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 4:46 PM

Add comment
Give him something he will need after college. Will he be starting a new job? White collar job-a nice briefcase or classy messenger style bag. If he has to travel a lot, a carry on bag. Find one of his needs and fill it. Buy him something that he can't really afford right out of college. If you give him money, he'll either blow it or pay bills.

Thursday, May 17, 2007, 9:04 PM

Add comment
I graduated from College about 15 years ago... Money from extended family (I was the oldest cousin and 1st to graduate) ranged from $50 - $500. From other friends outside of family, it probably ranged from about $20 - $100...

Of course, you need to take into consideration inflation and how much YOU can afford, as well as how close you are to the nephew. You should not feel obligated to give outside of your means...

Personally (for myself), I feel that gifts of money are not as personal as a gift that I have personally chosen with the recipient in mind... I also think that when giving money, you are almost obligated to be more generous... Of course, that's only my personal opinion....

I, too am not a big fan of gift cards, unless you KNOW of a store that the person likes to shop (i.e. if they like books, something at Borders...) The other problem is that if you don't use the gift card right away, they start to lose value... AND, some places CHARGE you a price to buy a gift card!



Thursday, May 17, 2007, 9:46 PM

Add comment
I am sure that you should definitely give him a present. You know, studying at college is very difficult and he needs your support. I know that many students use the best essay writing services 2020 and it is easy for them to graduate. However, there are still many students who write for themselves.

Saturday, June 06, 2020, 3:11 AM

Add comment
insurance companies in chicago

This is also a very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not every day that I have the possibility to see something like this.. insurance companies in chicago

Friday, July 24, 2020, 8:53 AM

Add comment
Gourmet cookies Chicago

Its as if you had a great grasp on the subject matter, but you forgot to include your readers. Perhaps you should think about this from more than one angle. Gourmet cookies Chicago

Friday, July 24, 2020, 9:27 AM

Add comment
seo

Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written. seo

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 12:53 AM

Add comment
asbestos removal

i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to present something back and help others such as you helped me. asbestos removal

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 1:37 AM

Add comment
tree trimming

Nice blog. Found this while searching through tree trimming

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 2:43 AM

Add comment
siding contractor

I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. siding contractor

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 3:00 AM

Add comment
www.profitdonationcapitalism.org

If you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries www.profitdonationcapitalism.org

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 3:16 AM

Add comment
stucco installation

Great post! I am actually getting ready to across this information, is very helpful my friend. Also great blog here with all of the valuable information you have. Keep up the good work you are doing here. stucco installation

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 4:23 AM

Add comment
siding contractor

Mmm.. good to be here in your article or post, whatever, I think I should also work hard for my own website like I see some good and updated working in your site. siding contractor

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 4:40 AM

Add comment
tree trimming

This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you. tree trimming

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 4:53 AM

Add comment
landscaping

This is also a very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not every day that I have the possibility to see something like this.. landscaping

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 5:06 AM

Add comment
asbestos removal

I see the greatest contents on your blog and I extremely love reading them. asbestos removal

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 5:19 AM

Add comment
reticulation

Two full thumbs up for this magneficent article of yours. I've really enjoyed reading this article today and I think this might be one of the best article that I've read yet. Please, keep this work going on in the same quality. reticulation

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 5:42 AM

Add comment
roof insulation

If you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries roof insulation

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 5:53 AM

Add comment
tree removal

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own Blog Engine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it. tree removal

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 6:08 AM

Add comment
landscaping

This is really very nice post you shared, i like the post, thanks for sharing.. landscaping

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 6:21 AM

Add comment
insulation remover

I have checked this link this is really important for the people to get benefit from. insulation remover

Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 6:41 AM

Add comment
Escorts in Gurgaon

If You Looking For Escorts Service in Gurgaon So Visit Our Website Gurgaon Escorts are Full of Hygenic or Adorable. Escorts in Gurgaon are Humble to Talk and Easy to Reach. Some of the Escorts in Gurgaon are Foreigners. Escorts Service in Gurgaon is Completely a Safe or Hazeless option also Gurgaon Escorts Service is Best Throughout India Just Because They Give Best Discounts to New Customers.


Monday, July 10, 2023, 12:07 AM

Add comment








Related Content:

How To Lose Weight- The Basics
Weight Watchers Points System
The Fat Smash Diet
The Eat To Live Diet
The Beck Diet Solution
How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight

 

How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer

How To Burn Fat
Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works
Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight?
Tips On Using PEERtrainer
Visit The PEERtrainer Community
Diet and Fitness Resources

Fitness

Weight Watchers Meetings
Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are
Writing Down Your Daily Workouts
Spending Money On A Personal Trainer?
How I Became A Marathon Runner

 

Preventive Health

How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout
Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot?
Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer?
Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy
Reversing Disease Through Nutrition

New Diet and Fitness Articles:

Weight Watchers Points Plus
How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise
New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program
New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive
Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program
 

Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne:

Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough
How To Delay Short Term Gratification
How To Stay Motivated
How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule

Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions

Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight?
Are Protein Drinks Safe?
Nutrition As Medicine?
 

Everyday Weight Loss Tips

How To Eat Healthy At A Party
How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight
The Three Bite Rule
Tips On How To Stop A Binge