Protocol for Graduates
 

My daughter is graduating Magna Cum Laude from SFSU, 3.8GPA.
We sent out all the announcements. My question is what do you send the graduate as a "great job" gift? Myself usually send $100.00-$200.00 depending on how well I know the individual. Many of the family friends have plenty of $$$$ so budget is no issue for them.

Are you asking what the people to whom you sent announcements should send to her... or what you should give her?

I'm just asking what you guys and gals send to yours friends kids when they graduate from college. $50.00? 100.00? 200.00? or nothing?

It kinda seems like you are preparing to "evaluate" the amount that people send to your daughter. I would advise that you check yourself on that... times are tough and if you're not careful, you might think someone's gift wasn't "enough." Know what I mean?

It can only generate ill will if you start evaluating and comparing.

I do not recall receiving any gifts when I graduated from college. My parents came into town and we went out for dinner and drinks.

What a bizarre question.

Nothing. I didn't get anything from anyone when I graduated undergrad or grad, and didn't expect or want anything. It was my job to get good grades and graduate.

Me too. My parents paid for the vast bulk of my education. I was grateful to them beyond measure. I think my dad and I tossed back a few beers in celebration.

I never sent out announcements for graduation. I thought it was kind of a tacky solicitation.

Yup. My parents paid for my undergrad and let me live at home. I am grateful to this day, and will do the same for my son to the extent that I can. I tutored, was a TA, and did other odd jobs to cover my living expenses. I was paid to go to grad school so I was off their dime by then. Graduating Summa as an undergrad was my attempt to pay them back for giving me a chance. I certainly didn't expect anything from them for doing my job. No announcements were sent to anyone either. I think they took me and my g/f out to dinner after the ceremony. And the only reason I went to the ceremony was out of respect for them - I hate that stuff.

Me too.

I think we sent out invitations to a few family members - but these were invitations to actually attend the graduation. And I don't remember receiving any gifts.

I think this "announcement" thing must be something relatively new? It still isn't overly common, though. We have tons of friends with kids graduating from HS and college, and have only received a few "announcements."

Congrats for your daughter.

We limit gifts to family and close friend's kids. Usually in the $50 to $100 range.

Same here, and I'll do the same for my kids. I think the only celebration we had was dinner out after the ceremony. I've never heard of college/university graduation gifts, or even announcements, for that matter. Umm, wait, I might have got a congratulations card in the mail from my grandmother.

Believe it or not, this was just addressed by "Dear Abby." Announcements are for those that you know very well and would appreciate the news. Invitations are for those that can attend (there will be limits). If there is to be a reception after the ceremony, gifts are not required, but usually given by the guests.

Announcements carry no obligation whatsoever to produce a gift. Maybe a congratulatory letter or card and a small gift if the person receiving the announcement really feels the need. I'd suggest a gift card over cash if that's the case. The giving of money at weddings, graduations, etc. is crass, has always been crass and always will be for those who have any cooth.

AFA announcements and their appearance in our society, you can thank the services that produce graduation pics, year books and the like. If they can sell one more item on the list, you can bet they will.

$100 if i know them very well. otherwise, $50 is an amount i can tolerate for just so and so's kid

I went out to dinner with my parents, got a Montblanc pen as a gift from them... nothing from anyone else. My grandparents (all 4!) and an aunt, uncle and cousin all made the trip to see me walk and that was present enough; I was really flattered that they made the 6 hour drive.