How much for high school graduation gift for neighbor's child?

[Anonymous]

They're doing a block party for two girls on the block that are graduating from high school. We've lived here for about a year and a half and are not particularly close to the girls as we don't have kids yet and haven't met one of the girls. We're going to the party and would like to get them a gift but I wasn't sure how much money was appropriate. The most common amount on web articles seems to be $25 but I wanted to see if this sounded right.

In case it makes a difference, we live in Fairfax, VA.

[Anonymous]

I'd have said $50, but honestly $25 sounds fine to me too.

[Anonymous]

$25 is plenty for a child you don't know or barely know. Close friend or family $50+.

[Anonymous]

$25 sounds fine to me

[Anonymous]

For two girls you don't know at all that sounds fine. The woman who lived two doors away who I babysat for three years gave me an alarm clock.

[Anonymous]

I had this same situation when we first moved in. I wanted $25, but DH said it was too cheap. I ended up giving $50. Got a thank you note from one.

[Anonymous]

I would give $50 each. This is still a graduation party.

[Anonymous]

I'd say $25 if you don't know them, but agree with DH that this is a little on the cheap side.
Why are you going to the party? Do $40-$50 each and don't think of it as money going to the kids you barely know. Think of it as money spent for a party.
High school is a big deal for the 2 graduates and their parents. The $25 cheapens it. You are better off giving nothing unless you know others doing sth similar and it adds up.

[Anonymous]

I just attended a party for a double graduation (one son from HS, one from college) and I hadn't seen either kid in about 10 years. The mother works with my mother and we invited them to my wedding and baby shower (both over 5 years ago) so I see her for MAJOR events but not often. I did 30 dollar amazon gift cards for each boy. I also brought a few dozen "graduation themed" cut out cookies that I made. I wasn't happy with my gift, wanted to swing 50 each at least, but I couldn't justify more/ have 3 in daycare and our gift budget is TIGHT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say $25 if you don't know them, but agree with DH that this is a little on the cheap side.
Why are you going to the party? Do $40-$50 each and don't think of it as money going to the kids you barely know. Think of it as money spent for a party.
High school is a big deal for the 2 graduates and their parents. The $25 cheapens it. You are better off giving nothing unless you know others doing sth similar and it adds up.

OP here. I guess I think of it more as a neighborhood block party than a party for the girls so I'm going because everyone else probably is and to be social/make an appearance. My perception might be totally off but I just think of them doing their own thing for the big celebration. The party is going to be sometime around Father's day and I guess they're doing something special for all of the dads there which is another reason why I think of it as more of a neighborhood party.

I like the idea of thinking of it as pitching in for the cost of the party sorta like when you go to a wedding your gift is supposed to cover the cost of your attendance. That's a fair point.

[Anonymous]

One of my step daughter's graduated from high school last year. All her friends hosted their own parties and they all gave each other money for the parties they went to. They were all giant gift grabs. It was gross.

I think $25 is plenty for a kid you barely know.

[Anonymous]

$25 is good enough in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

I have a DD graduating so am in the midst of the gift-giving frenzy. I think $25 is totally fine.

[Anonymous]

I will be giving $50 to a friend's daughter (who I know) and would say $25 for neighbor you have no connection to is more than generous.

[Anonymous]

$25 is plenty for a grad gift for people you hardly know.