Sbkangas5
Senior Member
- Sep 3, 2023
- #1
DD should be graduating after this year. I have zero idea of what a typical (for normal people, not millionaires) college graduation gift is. I know it varies, but what is typical in your family or area?
Beach Glass
Senior Member
- Sep 3, 2023
- #2
When DD1 graduated from college, we were really practical. She was going to continue to work at the university from which she graduated, but in a role involving more responsibilities. So insurance and health benefits were taken care of.
She was moving into her own apartment- no more roommates! We took care of her security deposit and pet deposit. (She had always wanted a cat, and this place allowed one.) We continued to keep her on our phone plan ( cheaper than being on her own plan).
Like I said… practical.
Ima Teacher
Senior Member
- Sep 3, 2023
- #3
I’m pretty sure we gave DSS money. We also helped him move to his apartment, bought him a new MacBook, and authorized him to purchase stuff on our phone plan.
My friends are practical people, so there is a lot of monetary help with getting started with adulting since most were getting apartments. Apartment deposits. Professional clothes. Furniture. Renters insurance. Grocery shopping trip.
It has been a long time since I graduated from college, but my parents were also practical. They gave me an odd combination of a sewing machine and a .38 Special revolver. Oh, and the money they had saved for my college education because I had scholarships and didn‘t use it.
SusanTeach
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #4
We just give money. It's so needed after college while trying to find a place, get established in a job, etc...
For my own children, we gave them $1,000. That sounds like so much, but with all the expenses, it still was hard to stretch. It was easier than trying to figure out what they needed/wanted, etc...
happykids
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #5
Is this for your own child? We also went practical. However, except for some cash from her uncles, I am not sure DD even got any other gifts from friends or relatives.
I know I graduated 100 years ago, but I don't remember getting anything either.
HS graduation was much bigger!
Munchkins
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #6
SusanTeach said:
We just give money. It's so needed after college while trying to find a place, get established in a job, etc...
For my own children, we gave them $1,000. That sounds like so much, but with all the expenses, it still was hard to stretch. It was easier than trying to figure out what they needed/wanted, etc...
We did the same, so they could get what they needed.
T
Tapdancesub
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #7
We gave both money and transferred the titles to the cars they were driving to their names. They’re still on the phone plan cause it’s cheaper, they pay us back.
Keltikmom
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #8
Both my daughters stayed at home through college. (Well, technically one went away for a year but came home.). When they finally graduated, we gave them an expensive pair of earrings.
When other family members of close friends graduated, we usually send cash - $100 if they are close and I like them a lot () or $50 if I don’t see them much.
sonoma
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #9
Got together with parents of her close friends and paid for a last girls trip before they had to enter the real world.
SassyTeach
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #10
I always give money, because I remember alllllll those years ago and how broke I was. New graduates can always use more money.
Zia
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #11
Another vote for cash! Unless she was living at home/dorm...when my kids moved out, I set them up to keep a household on their own. Pots/pans, oven mitts, trivets, dishes, flatware, mop, shower curtains, blah blah. I secretly began collecting all that stuff for them when they were mid-teens, like a super practical hope chest. Doing a bit at a time made it easier financially.
Congrats to your daughter!
amiga13
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #12
I can’t believe she’s graduating already! It seems like yesterday she started at that school we both love. Huge congratulations! I vote for money.
jks
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #13
We paid their tuition and living expenses for 4 years of college and gave them the car title.
Sbkangas5
Senior Member
- Sep 4, 2023
- #14
Thanks, all!
amiga13 said:
I can’t believe she’s graduating already! It seems like yesterday she started at that school we both love. Huge congratulations! I vote for money.
I know - it has gone crazy fast. She's worked (and played) really hard and I'm very proud of her!
Summerwillcom
Senior Member
- Sep 5, 2023
- #15
I don't remember getting $ or gifts at graduation. I got cards and flowers from family and friends. The thing my mom did or arranged both times were dinners at really nice restaurants with groups of my friends.
Those are both 2 really special memories.
I never thought of giving gifts to my own either for graduation, but definitely celebrations.
If it is a friend's kid and they send an invite, I usually just send cash with a card.
Cassyree
Senior Member
- Sep 5, 2023
- #16
Once upon a time long ago, my parents gave me $1000. It paid for deposit and first month's rent, a mattress and box spring, and a down payment on my very first car. 1973. It was a generous gift that got me started on my own.
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