Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would give a gift. Eight grade graduation is not the same as moving from 1st grade to 2nd grade. I don’t know why it would be awkward if Auntie wants give them something.

What degree is received after completing 8th grade? It's only moving from 8th grade to 9th grade. The only notable thing is that there may be a change in school.

I think the 5th grade promotion thing is the WORST.

It depends on the area. A lot of K-8 private schools around here, graduation is a big deal. In other areas of the county graduating 8th grade is cap and gown. Where I grew up in NJ end of 8th grade was a huge overnight to Dorney Park, a full school dance, and then a full on graduation with cap n gown in the gymnasium. We all had graduation parties and pool parties for a few days after. Around here, at least in MCPS, it is not big deal.

We also did a week at Disney for senior year and they literally do nothing around here for seniors. My old high school still does that Disney trip. That was such a core memory.

So it all depends on the area where your family is from and the school if it is a big deal or not.

Anonymous wrote: By 8th grade you teen should be able to graciously accept a gift if his aunt gives one.

I'm really confused why this is in there. Have I said anything that implies my kid can't accept a gift?

-- OP

Every school is different and so is every family. Our oldest went to a k-8 school and had a full graduation ceremony. We had a family party after the ceremony and she received gifts. Our next kid finished 8th grade at a public school that had absolutely no ceremony of any sort. He didn't want a party. His grandparents mailed him the same gift they gave to our oldest. This year our 3rd just finished 8th grade, no ceremony, no fan fair. He doesn't want a party. His cousin also finished 8th grade. Her school had a full ceremony. She is having a party. By 8th grade you teen should be able to graciously accept a gift if his aunt gives one. If no gift arrives, then there is nothing to worry about.

Anonymous wrote:It's the least important of all the 'graduations'. No gifts. We will usually do a nice family dinner out somewhere my kids pick to celebrate the end of the year.

Yeah we tried this with each kid - that's how I came to eat at Sizzler, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Hard Rock Cafe for the first time.

Anonymous wrote:People who like to give gifts will always do so. I have an 8th grader and the thought of gifts had not crossed my mind until I read your post.

Same

My mother is the same way--band recitals, any kind of assembly and she feels the need to bring/send something. My son had a 5-minute (if that), pre-recorded virtual band concert this year and she mailed him a card with $20. It's ridiculous.

But there is no point fighting it--if it makes her happy, go for it. I would just let your sibling do what she wants and don't worry about it. FWIW, I do not plan to give anything to my nephew who is finishing 8th this year as there is no ceremony but if I were invited to a ceremony of some sort, I would certainly bring something, even if small. I do have a gift for my 5th grader who is having a ceremony. But I always give something or do a special outing for all of my kids at the end of the school year, this year is just a little nicer.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would give a gift. Eight grade graduation is not the same as moving from 1st grade to 2nd grade. I don’t know why it would be awkward if Auntie wants give them something.

What degree is received after completing 8th grade? It's only moving from 8th grade to 9th grade. The only notable thing is that there may be a change in school.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would give a gift. Eight grade graduation is not the same as moving from 1st grade to 2nd grade. I don’t know why it would be awkward if Auntie wants give them something.

Because in a couple years, having established it as a gift giving opportunity, she will send me a wish list for her oldest, and then I will feel obligated to buy something and because my other kid is in the same year to give him something too and it will spiral like that.

Yes to the MS teachers and staff who educated our young teens throughout a pandemic!

Dude, no

When my DD graduated, I gave her a small bouquet of flowers after the ceremony. We also let her pick the restaurant for dinner that night.

When my son's graduated, I gave small gifts. I think one got a new phone case and the other got a new Apple watch band. They also picked their dinner spots. The boys literally did not care at all about the gifts. Their only request was "no flowers like when M graduated, mom!"

Yes, I would give a gift. Eight grade graduation is not the same as moving from 1st grade to 2nd grade. I don’t know why it would be awkward if Auntie wants give them something.

It's the least important of all the 'graduations'. No gifts. We will usually do a nice family dinner out somewhere my kids pick to celebrate the end of the year.

We don't give gifts for middle school graduations.