How much money would you put in a family friend's graduation card?

[cboy4]

The son of one of my closest co-workers is graduating from high school.

I've been invited to his post-graduation ceremony party at his house, but I can't make it.

So.....I'm sending a card but I'm not sure how much money to put in it, since he's not a relative.

Still, I consider him a good family friend

I'm leaning toward $25

How much to you think is a reasonable sum for someone who earns a decent salary, but is not rich?

[hatredisnotavalue]

1. I think $25 is perfect

Last year, my daughter got $50 from people she barely knew to $5 from our close friends.

[cboy4]

2. Terrific, thanks :)

Some day, maybe I'll be able to afford puting $50 in cards. ;)

[hatredisnotavalue]

5. Don't worry about it :)

Last year, we had a $20 bill make the round between about 15 kids. My daughter got the $20, she passed it on, it got passed on again and then again. It really is the thought that counts and those graduates really do appreciate anything that comes there way. Don't sweat it. I don't know if you are into music, but one of our friends burnt her a CD to study by as a graduation gift. It was a huge hit. Maybe something to slip into the envelope along with the check???

[cboy4]

11. All good ideas!

:pals:

[SKKY]

3. For something this big, I tend to spill out a bit more...

...so I would probably give $50.00.

[cboy4]

12. Seriously!!?/ I can see $50 for college graduation, but that

seems awfully steep for a non-relative graduating from HS.

But thanks for your input. I appreciate it!

[SKKY]

41. Sure. $50.00 for a HS Graduation doesn't seem "excessive" to me...

But then again, I grew up pretty dirt poor and got jack squat for graduation, so perhaps that explains my "generosity" on things like this.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. If $25. is what feels right to you, that's the right amount.

There's no requirement to put any money in the card but it's a nice gesture that both the grad and your co-worker will appreciate.

[Omphaloskepsis]

6. Multiple bills seems tacky.

I would go with 20$ or 50$.

[guitar man]

7. Depends

I would depend on how far I was away from payday, but I have been known to slip $50 or maybe even $100 in. These days, with the price of gas, It might be more like $25.

"Don't hurt yourself" is the rule I always follow with these things.

[MichiganVote]

8. $25 if you're doing it for the co-worker, $50 if you're close to the kid and they're go/ college

[ellisonz]

9. $20

Whoever said $10 needs to step away from the computer...

[cboy4]

10. Dang! Who is voting for more than $50?!

If you think I should give a co-worker's kid more than 50 for high school graduation, I cringe to think what you think I should give him when he graduates from college! :scared:

A house?

;)

[jmm]

25. I didn't vote but

I got more money when I graduated from high school (and about twice as much as my cousins who didn't go to college) and considerably less when I graduated from college.

I personally think how much you gives depends on how well you know your co-worker's kid.

[datasuspect]

35. those people are in the mafia,

shit, they give out fazools to the damn kid who brings them 7 & 7's

[Midlodemocrat]

13. I gave $25 to several friends of the family last year and will probably do

the same this year. I think $25 is a perfect amount.

[cboy4]

17. Right on.......thanks Midlo!

:pals:

[petronius]

14. I remember getting a couple of $50s from neighbors and family

friends back when I graduated (1989) and I was stoked...

[GenDem]

15. My daughter graduated last year

She received a range from $10.00 - $100.00.

We were invited to 12 parties that we had to pony up for. We gave $40.00 to her closest friends -- the kids that spent years hanging out, and $20.00 to the others.

[mitchum]

16. I've been doing $25 for high school and $50 for college

[cboy4]

18. To me.....those are perfect amounts, but I just wanted to get

everyone's take.

Thanks! :)

[mitchum]

22. You're welcome...

I'm glad that occasionally I can contribute something other than just snarky comments to this board :)

[cboy4]

19. THANK YOU everyone for your suggestions

I appreciate them a lot! ;)

[Left Is Write]

20. $25 sounds good to me for a family friend.

If it were one of my nieces or nephews, I'd give more.

[Blue-Jay]

21. Not a relative? $25 sounds about right.

[kskiska]

23. I gave $50 to a kid last week

but he was almost a godchild - the son of Chinese restaurant owners. I'd known him since he was 5 and took him to the library, Barnes & Noble, orchestra practice, and karate school while his parents tended the restaurant. I couldn't not give something substantial. He's off to M.I.T. this fall.

I couldn't afford it, either. The $50 should have paid my cable bill.

[Bjornsdotter]

24. 25 is fine

....my neighbors came over last week-end with a card and $25....it was perfect.

Cheers

[Broken_Hero]

26. 20

just went through the same thing actually.

[Sanity Claws]

27. Your choice is fine.

$10 sounds awfully cheap but $25 is fine.

[JVS]

28. $20 would be fine, but a high-roller like you should go with the gut and give $25

The extra 5 will be appreciated

[cboy4]

32. High-roller!

:spray:


That's me, Mr. high-roller! LOL

[mokawanis]

29. I like 25

because it's way cooler than 20 and only costs 5 more bucks. I might go 30 but that would be the limit.

[philosophie_en_rose]

30. $ 25 in cash is a good amount.

It's enough for something fun or useful. He may feel obligated to save a larger amount.

[barb162]

31. If you don't go to the party, I'd say 25 or less, but if you go, 75

I have a similar problem right now. A friend I haven't seen in years sent a card her daughter graduated but I haven't ever seen the child as she lives in another state. And I will give something, I just haven't decided what the amount is yet.

[THUNDER HANDS]

33. $5 for every year you've worked with his father

[laylah]

34. .

whatever you can realistically afford.

[OllieLotte]

36. I'm glad this subject was brought up.

I had a very close friend who's son graduated from HS a couple of years ago. We are very close to this young man. We gave him $100.

We received an graduation announcement from another close friend's daughter that I have know since high school (30 years). They live in another state and I see my friend once a year. We didn't send her anything.

To be honest, I think it's tacky to send graduation announcements to parents of friends and relatives. To me it screams...send me money! I guess I'm just old.

[Connonym]

39. Not even a congratulations card?

I'm in a position where I literally can't afford to send gifts -- normally I'm not big on greeting cards either but I think a big event like a graduation deserves at least a card with a personal note. Unless you don't even know the kid in which case a generic congratulations card would be sufficient. Maybe kids don't give a rat's ass about sincere well wishes but that's not going to stop me from offering them.

[AngryOldDem]

37. $25 is generous, but $20 is perfectly acceptable n/t

[Connonym]

38. I think 20-25 would be perfect

If it's cash, I think I'd lean toward just a $20 because it looks neater to only have one bill.

[AngryAmish]

40. Don't be a cheapo - $200 minimum

[bigwillq]

42. 25 is just about right.

I wouldn't go anymore.....or less....yea, 25 works.