Graduation season is about to come as spring turns into summer! And when it comes to gifts, cash is a popular choice. Whether it’s middle school, high school, or college, students are celebrating their life accomplishments with you. Figuring out how much cash to give can be a bit tricky and perhaps debatable.
Guidelines for Monetary Graduation Gift
You might wonder: What’s the right amount for a monetary graduation gift? Well, that depends on a few factors. It’s not always easy to determine, but considering the level of education completed and your relationship with the graduate can help guide your decision. Let’s explore some considerations for finding the perfect monetary gift for your graduate.
Middle School Gifts
A middle school graduation isn’t an event that tends to get as much hype as a high school or college graduation. However, some students are beginning to send out announcements letting friends and family know that they are heading to the next phase of their education. In that case, it makes sense for parents and grandparents to give a gift to acknowledge the accomplishment.
- Great!Schools.org suggests giving movie passes, spa vouchers, gift certificates, or spirit wear to middle school graduates rather than cash.
- If you are giving cash, $10–30 is appropriate.
How Much Money Do You Give a High School Graduate?
Graduating from high school is a momentous occasion. Consequently, people tend to give a lot more for this type of graduation. The National Retail Federation pointed out that 52.8% of people plan to give money. The amount varies based on age bracket, but parents are typically the highest spenders. Shutterfly notes that most gifts fall between $20 and $100. The amounts can vary depending on your relationship, but ranges include:
- Friends and siblings: $20-75
- Parents: $100 or more
- Grandparents: $50-100 or more
College Graduation Gift Etiquette
Graduating from college is a big deal, which makes many people wonder if a larger monetary gift is required. Bright Hub states that many people give between $100 and $500 as a college graduation gift. Typically, for a 2- to 4-year degree, anywhere from $50 to $100 is appropriate for a parent, advanced degrees go up by about $100 for each degree. Access to Culture breaks this down for grandparents and siblings:
- Close relatives like grandparents, aunts, etc.: $50
- Close friend: $25
- Acquaintance or co-worker: $20
Giving a Gift of Money
While these are general guidelines for a monetary graduation gift for a child, the giving is truly based on your own discretion. When you consider giving a gift of money, you’ll want to take into account your personal finances and how much you can afford. If you are on a fixed income, you might give less. On the other hand, if you have disposable income, you might choose to give more. The situation of the graduate also needs to come into play. Did the person graduate with honors at any of the different levels? This might be rewarded with a higher than average monetary gift.
The Art of Giving
When you give monetary graduation gifts, you want to be sure that you do it right. You don’t just want to hand a graduate a wad of cash while in their cap and gown. Unless you are getting creative, putting it on a card with a personalized message is best. Additionally, it’s discouraged to give anything at the ceremony itself. This is because the graduate might lose it in the shuffle. Wait to give it to them at the open house if they have one or put it in the mail. If that isn’t possible, wait until you can talk to them privately and hand them a card.
Creative Cash Gifts
If you’re considering giving an appropriate cash amount as a gift, try these creative ideas for display:
- Make paper money flowers out of the cash.
- Make a lei out of one-dollar bills.
- Blow up balloons with money inside.
- Make a money tree gift.
- Give away a calendar with money taped to each month.
- Give away a piggy bank with twenty-dollar bills stuffed inside.
- Tuck cash into a photo album filled with pictures leading up to the graduation.
- Roll dollar bills and arrange them to create a layered cake, secured with ribbon.
- Tuck money into school supplies, such as a pencil holder or notebook.
Monetary Graduation Gift Are Excellent
Cash gifts are indeed excellent choices for graduation celebrations. They offer versatility and the opportunity for creativity. Consider adding a personal touch or a unique presentation to make your gift stand out. You can even try gift cards with monetary value from a specific online store that kids love to buy something from. Remember, it’s the thought and effort that count, and your graduating child will undoubtedly cherish the gesture, regardless of the amount. So, get creative, give generously, and celebrate this milestone in a memorable way!
