At the end of spring and the start of summer, there are a number of graduations taking place at many levels.
No matter if the student in your life is graduating from middle school, high school, or college, money is a common gift for graduates. The amount of money you should give is, however, a matter of debate.
Guidelines for Monetary Graduation Gifts
It is critical to remember that when you are deciding how much to give as a graduation gift, you should first consider what you can afford. You should also consider your relationship with the graduate. As far as etiquette is concerned, there is no specific amount that etiquette dictates is appropriate as a graduation gift. The experts have, however, provided a few guidelines to help you make the right decision.
Middle School Gifts
The graduation of a middle school student is not an event that is often hyped as much as the graduation of a high school or college student. Some students, on the other hand, are beginning to send out announcements to their friends and family. They are letting them know that they will be heading to the next phase of their education in the near future.
As a result, it would make sense for parents and grandparents to give a gift in order to acknowledge the accomplishments of the child.
- That’s great! In lieu of giving cash to middle school seniors, Schools.org recommends giving them movie passes, spa vouchers, gift certificates, or spirit wear as a way to show their appreciation.
- You should give between $10 and $30 if you are giving cash.
How Much Money Do You Give a High School Graduate?
Graduating from high school is a momentous occasion in a person’s life. It is for these reasons that people tend to spend more on this type of graduation. As a result of the National Retail Federation’s research, 52.8% of people plan to give money as a gift this year. Depending on the age bracket, there will be a variation in the amount spent, but parents are typically the biggest spenders.
In their report, Shutterfly notes that most gifts are between $20 and $100 in value. It is imperative to keep in mind that the amounts can vary depending on your relationship, but some examples include:
- There is a $20-75 fee for friends and siblings
- The cost for parents is $100 or more
- It is customary for grandparents to give $50-100 to their grandchildren
College Graduation Gift Etiquette
Graduating from college is a big deal, which is why many people wonder if a larger monetary gift is required in order to acknowledge this achievement. According to Bright Hub, the average amount people give as a college graduation gift is between $100 and $500.
For a 2- to a 4-year degree, expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 for the parent, while for advanced degrees, the amount jumps up by about $100 for each degree. In terms of grandparents and siblings, Access to Culture breaks this down as follows:
- There is a $50 charge for close relatives such as grandparents, aunts, etc.
- A close friend of mine: $25
- An acquaintance or co-worker: $20
What Is an Appropriate Monetary Graduation Gift
Giving a gift of money
In spite of the fact that these are general guidelines for what to do, the decision to give is ultimately yours to make. It is imperative to keep your personal finances in mind when considering giving a gift of money. This is so that you are able to determine how much you can afford to give.
On the other hand, if you are on a fixed income, you might be able to give less. As an alternative, if you have disposable income, you may choose to give more if you have the means to do so. There is also the issue of the graduate’s situation that needs to be taken into account.
Did the person graduate with honors at any of the different levels at which they studied? It is possible that this will be rewarded with a gift of a higher value than the average monetary gift.
The Art of Giving
It is very critical that when you give monetary gifts, you make sure that you do it correctly. It is not a wise idea to hand a graduate a wad of cash while they are still dressed in their cap and gown.
You may want to put it in a card with a personalized message unless you get really creative with it. In addition, giving anything at the ceremony itself is discouraged. The graduate might lose it in the shuffle. If they have an open house, give it to them at that time or mail it to them. Alternatively, wait until you can speak privately with them and give them a card.
Creative Cash Gifts
Consider these creative ideas for displaying an appropriate cash amount as a gift:
- Make flowers with the money.
- Use one-dollar bills to make a lei.
- Fill balloons with money and blow them up.
- Give a money tree gift.
- You can give away a calendar with money taped to each month.
- Give away a piggy bank filled with twenty-dollar bills.
- Fill a photo album with graduation pictures and tuck cash into it.
- Create a layered cake with dollar bills rolled and tied together with a ribbon.
- Make sure you tuck money into school supplies, such as pencil holders and notebooks.
Cash gifts are excellent
A monetary graduation gift is an excellent idea with a lot of creative potential. Make your cash gift presentation memorable by doing something unique. Regardless of how much you give, your graduating seniors will really appreciate it.