Anxious about graduation party expectations

[Anonymous]

My senior attended a number of grad parties last year. We decided that for parties DC attended solo, they would give $23 in cash in a card for Class of 2023 (it was enough that this is what we could manage, given the number of parties and graduates involved, and DC is in public, "affluent but not ridiculous" area like OP described).

If the family was invited, we gave a gift in the neighborhood of $100. If the graduate was family, then we gave more than that.

Go pick up a stack of $0.99 graduation cards at Trader Joe's. They are cute and affordable, and you don't want to run out if you have a senior.

[Anonymous]

My twins graduated last year. (boys) Initially they didn't want anything. Then they warmed up to the idea. There were parties of all levels from renting out the Claradon Ballroom to 2941 to backyard BBQ. I decided to invite all the friends they wanted and had kabobs catered. Kids came some stayed an hour or two others stayed until 2am. Everyone brought something as a gift just as my kids did for each party they went to. Gifts don't have to be over the top. $25 Amazon GC is appreciated most kids were going off to college or taking a gap year to travel. If it was a family freind then we would bump up the gift between $100-$200. Don't stress do something within your budget and ask your daughter what she wants .

[Anonymous]

I let my kids drive it - yeah or nay for party, they sent out invites to friends (not expecting any parents); and I sent quick email to family.

Food is whatever I feel like preparing or buying, most likely held in back yard. They will bring small gift to any they are attending.

We host alot of parties/dinners - keep it simple, have fun & savor it all.

[Anonymous]

Last year my DC was graduating and went to parties, but none with invitations that came to me/our home so I generally didn’t know what they were doing until they walked out the door. No gifts were taken.

We did lunch after graduation but if we’d hosted a party and DC invited friends solo, I wouldn’t have thought for a second about them bringing DC a gift. IMO you don’t expect gifts from fellow graduates, but I might be the outlier there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much do people spend on graduation party gifts from one teenager to another?

Per my DD, $50 for best friends, $20 for friends.

[Anonymous]

Does your daughter want a graduation party?

[Anonymous]

Most teens we know don’t exchange gifts when going to each others parties. As you can sss from all of the replies, there isn’t one right answer here. Have your kid decide what to do.

If it’s anything like birthday parties over the years, one of mine will want nothing and we will go out to dinner as a family. The other will want a big party here with everyone they know. We are a year away from this.