graduation gift ideas please!

[Guest janainaz]

My little SIL's are graduating today - one is an 8th grade promotion and the other is graduationing high school. We also have two family weddings to attend and we can't break the bank with gifts. I need some graduation gift ideas for the girls. The older SIL just celebrated her 18th birthday and I had her graduation photo framed and did some special/sentimental stuff with that. I'm blank, so all ideas are welcome. Dh wanted to 'do' something with them, but other than dinner, I'm not sure what.

 

Thanks!

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm afraid that I'm not much help since we tend to give gift cards for graduations. Usually it is I-tunes cards or Target cards - esp. for those headed off to college who might need to outfit a dorm room.

[charmama4]

I gave my niece 1lb. of jelly beans in the colors of her high school contained in a jelly jar with a ribbon (also in her HS colors). I couldn't do the traditional cash gift and I thought this was "outside of the box".

[Jean in Newcastle]

I gave one niece who I knew was interested in such things, the latest "Miss Manners" book at graduation.

[StephanieZ]

8th grade graduation isn't a "real" graduation in my book, so a card and $20 would be about right in my book (birthday equivalent)

 

For high school, I'd go with cash unless there is a specific item you know she wants/needs and you can pick it out. Amount would vary with your family habits and budget. For me, it'd probably be $100 for a family member or very close family friend. (Less for more distant acquaintances.)

[StephanieZ]

I gave my niece 1lb. of jelly beans in the colors of her high school contained in a jelly jar with a ribbon (also in her HS colors). I couldn't do the traditional cash gift and I thought this was "outside of the box".

 

That is adorable!!!!!!!! What a great idea for a thoughtful, fun, gift when cash isn't in the budget! You could even go bigger for a more showy but still very affordable gift!

 

I am going to steal that sometime!!