What is an appropriate amount to give as a college graduation gift for your child?
599832
Gifts are from the heart, so give what you can afford to.
125098
Any amount as per the need... of the project.\nIndian\n\nhttp://www.futureaccountant.com/\nhttp://www.schoolingkids.com/
495224
I believe that is up to you and how well you think they did during her time at school.\n\nDid she work hard?  Did she mess around?  Did she skip school?  Did she have to go to night/summer school to catch up?  Was she and honor student?  Did she help others keep their grades up?  \n\nTake things like that into consideration.  The better she did the more she deserves.  Thing is if she goes to college you have to pay for that to so you need to think do I want to give her something that is temporary or something that will last a life time.\n\nMy mother got a birthstone ring from her parents for graduation so that is what she gave me.  I cherish more than she knows.  I still to this day wear it every day and I graduated 11 years ago.  Something like that is way more important than money because they will have it to remember forever.
1019240
It is *traditional* to give gifts of 18, 36, or 54.  It isn't *required*, and you won't look like an idiot if you give a different amount.  If you buy a gift instead of cash (or gift certificate), the amount you spend wouldn't necessarily be in multiples of 18.  The word for "life" in Hebrew has a numerical value of 18; this is the reason for the tradition.  But I'm sure your friend would rather get $25 than $18.  :-)
1068666
It would be very difficult to buy something she will like, so money is the best gift.  She can put it to good use now, or save it for use at college.  In fact, a better gift might be a CD maturing in 6 to 18 months, in case she is like many teens who might tend to spend too fast.
736053
when the child starts bringin in money
208097
i think it is something around you can afford and her monthly allowance. now, if she is realy close to you and she seems to like to buy something pricey and you feel generous, you might consider this. but if you feel you are giving her quite an amount, you can also consult your sibling (her parents) about the amount.
245696
I would say anywhere from 100 to 175-200 dollars, depending upon your means, closeness of relationship and whether or not you'll be able to attend the ceremony and/or party. One hundred dollars is a good safe amount.
674304
Putting in a personal note would be great.  You can send them prior to graduation even if they aren't invited to the ceremony.  Your parents may want to host an open house, you should talk to them about that now to avoid any hurt feelings.  The personal note could say "Hey--I'm graduating with honors!  Whoo-hoo!  Celebrate with me on May 27th starting at 4 PM at Ma's house.  Help me start next year (at college/at technical school/starting my career/being a bum for awhile) off right!"
465193
Lump Sum as you have no idea what the tax laws could change to in the future........  First thing i would do is to set up a 1 million dollar trrust to send ANY child related to me now or in the future to go to collegte only restriction is that they would have to finish thier degree, then they would be debt free failure to do so would require them to pay it back.  second thing give 1.5 million to my brothers and sisters and cousins... here you go pay off your bills buy a new car, house what ever but,,,, this is all there is you can not have anymore .
489919
You could get her a copy of "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. It's fun and very encouraging. Traditionally it's a gift for graduation but it kind of sends the message that you're very proud of her accomplishment.
553876
Only partly...Chances are a book on investing will not be read by a person that age. (unless they love to read and all the interesting books are checked out of the library and US magazine goes out of print). The sharebuilder has a chance of working. However, you can't just give a gift card and walk away. That money is as good as spent. You need to put a plan in place to teach savings. Here is what I recommend. Sit down with your grad and explain sharebuilder. Then put up your seed money and a promise to match in some % the amount the grad is willing to contribute herself with a specific goal for what the money will be spent on. Explain that only when the goal is achieved can the money be spent. It is not really that important what the goal is but that it is realistically achievable in a reasonable amount of time. (retirement for someone that age won't fly). In the end, with some of her hard-earned dollars contributed, your extra "pennies from heaven" and a little help from the "Market" you might be able to give a young person the understanding of the path to saving and acquiring wealth. Good luck and please don't listen to your friend -- it took me a long time to type this :)
454003
What is he interested in?  The thought you put into the gift is much more important than the amount of money you spend.\n\nIs he getting ready to go through any upcoming life changes?  Graduating?  Moving out of the house?  Is there something fun and useful you could get him that relates to that life change?
420624
The proper etiquette is to take a gift to their house before or after the event or send a card with a gift card or money order in it.  (The amount would be up to you and what you can afford & how close you are to them.  $20-$50)  Just put yourself in their shoes, if you invited people to either event, what would you want or expect them to do?  Remember these parties are thrown to help the people that are being celebrated with their new expenses.   ;o)
265322
A nice graduation gift is "Oh the places you'll go" by Dr. Seuss.  It's a kids book but if you read it, it's very appropriate for someone who's graduating and figuring out where they want to go in life.  My fiancee got it as a present when he graduated.\n\nI got my fiancee a poker table for a birthday/engagement gift.
302026
When my son went to college, I got him a Capital One credit card.  They have ones especially for youth.  As a parent though, I had to be a cosigner on it.  I was also allowed to limit the amount of available credit he had on the card.
441620
I like the idea of the framed photo. Parents always like stuff like that. Maybe you could even wait until after graduating to give it to them, so that you could get a photo of yourself in a cap and gown.\n\nOr even just a heartfelt letter of thanks may do the trick.