What was your high school and college graduation gift from your parents? Your best gift?

[Anonymous]

I'm laughing at the people so proud of themselves for not expecting a gift because their parents had already paid for college. Don't assume those of us who got taken out to dinner or a trip or a mattress got that after also getting a paid-for college experience. Except Tag Hauer bro, he definitely did.

[Anonymous]

For HS, my best gift was to spend the summer exploring and playing tourist in DC, spending time with friends and family— instead of getting a summer job. It was glorious!

Other memorable gifts from other graduations : a strand of pearls and a Montblanc pen. I still have and cherish them both.
Not a graduation gift, but over the years, my Dad gave me pieces of luggage to make a set. I still have, cherish and appreciate them too, even though I don’t use them for travel.

[Anonymous]

My parents said good job and that was it.

[Anonymous]

HS..nothing. They paid for a lot of my college.
College.. a necklace.

Do kids really expect a big gift for graduation from college when parents likely just paid for college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HS..nothing. They paid for a lot of my college.
College.. a necklace.

Do kids really expect a big gift for graduation from college when parents likely just paid for college?

I didn’t expect gifts, but my Mom was sentimental, and I got graduation gifts and a party — that I argued against — after I finished grad school. Now, though, those gifts and the party really mean a lot to me. Many of us have very few rituals and ceremonies in our lives. It doesn’t have to be a “big gift” — but a meaningful gift, possibly a family heirloom, would be nice. I have a friend that does albums and videos for her kids, that include significant life events from their births through HS graduation. I think this is a wonderful and deeply loving gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm laughing at the people so proud of themselves for not expecting a gift because their parents had already paid for college. Don't assume those of us who got taken out to dinner or a trip or a mattress got that after also getting a paid-for college experience. Except Tag Hauer bro, he definitely did.

Lol at all of these. I guess my gift was them finally filling out the FAFSA so I could get financial aid, but not in time to get me the best lower interest loans.

[Anonymous]

My dad got me an evening with a stripper.

[Anonymous]

Got a new Accord (early 90s) for HS graduation - i already had a car, but I was going out of state and they wanted me to have a safe car to drive to/from school (about 600 miles each way)

Got a diamond tennis bracelet for college graduation. I had them return it. I was was going to be working in an urban/underserved/underfunded high school. I wasn't going to wear it to work - and it just didn't sit right with me to wear a 2k bracelet while kids I taught were hungry. My parents did send me $300/month for a year or so to help with rent.

[Anonymous]

Maybe some cash?

My friends got cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m old. I got a typewriter for HS graduation. It was a state of the art one with a readout that allowed you to type and proofread before actually printing. I doubt many typewriters were produced after that- computers were already common. Nothing for college graduation, although my parents sold me one of their old Volvos for very little $.

I got a typewriter too! From my grandparents. I must be older than you because I didn't get any fancy readout.

I don't remember what my parents got me for high school graduation. For college graduation I got airfare to Europe to do the obligatory backpacking trip. I think I paid for the rest of it.

[Anonymous]

High school? They gave me a nice fan to use in the dorm room, that I used for years afterwards.

College? New Toyota!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dad got me an evening with a stripper.

Nice!!! Your son or daughter probably really shingles themselves

[Anonymous]

High school: luggage
College: 4 yrs of tuition, room and board

[Anonymous]

High school: A very nice dinner with the whole family and my boyfriend.

College: Well, they paid for my wedding just 2 months after graduation, so I'll count that (not the same guy as HS boyfried!)

PhD: A beautiful pair of pearl drop earrings that I still wear frequently.

For our kids:

High school: #1 got a weekend trip to NY; #2 went to Tiffany to pick out a piece of jewelry (we gave her a limit!), and #3 hasn't gotten anything yet. He graduated last year, and he never could decide what he wanted despite our (my) pestering. I really need to get him something. Maybe a Tag, haha.

College: Only one has graduated from college. She moved to NYC right after graduation for a job. We set up her new apartment for her - first mont's rent/deposit (maybe it was first + last, I can't remember), furniture, kitchen things. Nothing fancy but decent quality and comfortable.

Her sister has already decided that she wants to go on a trip to Yellowstone and Glacier when she graduates from college. And the youngest? Who knows what he'll want.

We try to tailor the present to the wants/needs of the individual kid, keeping the amount somewhere in the same ballpark.

[Anonymous]

My parents gave me diamond stud earrings at the restaurant where we went for dinner after HS graduation (1994). After college graduation I received a matching necklace. Neither were very expensive, but both were nice and thoughtful.

My husband received a car after HS graduation and golf clubs for college graduation. The car was a surprise. The clubs were what he wanted.