I'd do $100. That was yeh going rate in 1993 when I graduated. $50 seems a bit stingy especially if she's picking up your kids 2x a week.

I think $50 is a fine gift, $100 if it is a close relative or friend. $50 is still a good amount of money for a 17 or 18 year old, remember!

Great suggestion for a gift card for Container Store. Other good gift card options for new college students -- Amazon or B&N for text books; Bed, Bath and Beyond for sheet sets and storage cubes; or Target for everything from toiletries to dorm room snacks. Gas station cards and gift cards for Starbucks or Subway will also be a hit, but maybe aren't as memorable as a card towards something more tangible like text books.

For something a little more personal or creative, you could google their college and find out the going rate for the fitness center and pay for that, either directly or putting the balance for a semester or the year (probably $50/term at many schools) on a check and gifting it along with a gym tee from the college.

You can also get a gift card to the college that they will be going to. It cost a little extra in the shipping, but I like making the effort (of course I only do this for kids going to my undergraduate school!). Any boy going to UVA I get them their striped tie.

Cash is great but if she's headed to college you can do a Container Store gift card. Both my kids liked that.

Personally, I don't do cash, I do small gifts that help outfit a college dorm room or an apartment.

Cash is fine, whatever amount you want to give.

And 14:23, if you are hosting the party for your niece, I don't think you're obligated to give cash as well.

So, if I'm throwing the graduate a party (our niece), am I also obligated to give a cash gift? We are footing the bill for the entire party.

Kids want cash. The amount varies by the relationship to the teen/family. For the girl that babysit for us almost every friday night for 4 years--$250. For the kid that carpooled with us for 3 years into DC and whose mom is a good friend of mine--$100. For the kid that my DC has been friends with since they were two (but not close friends now) and whose mom is a friend of mine--$100. For the old friend who sent us an announcement but whose kid I haven't seen in 15 years--$50--it was a blatant gift grab and I wanted to send $25 but they don't have a lot of $$ so I sent the higher amt. Do what you feel comfortable doing and what fits your budget.

We gave a neighbor's daughter a $100 check for her high school graduation. Not especially close to the family, but I heard from others that $100 was the going rate.

I wanted to faint, but that's what we gave.

I thought $50 would have been plenty.

We did get a thank you note. So that's something.

Is $50 enough? Or should I do $100?

Yes, definitely cash or a visa gift card.

Teens want cash. I don't think you are over thinking but I think she will appreciate cash. She can spend it on whatever she wants.

We have a high school senior who has babysat for us since late last fall. She picks up my kids 2 days a week and takes them to sports. She is graduating high school and we have been invited to her graduation party. I of course want to bring a gift but is cash OK? She's getting a bunch of cash from me already each week so I'm wondering if this will feel "not special" to her. Would a gift card be better? Or am I over thinking this and just give her cash? If so, how much? We pay her really, really well for the hours she works (since it's not too many hours, we pay high to make it worth her while). Thoughts?