As graduation season begins, students are preparing for graduation parties that mark the end of their high school years. Guests invited to these events may wonder whether they are expected to bring a gift. While some parties do involve gift-giving, others are intended to be more casual gatherings. Invitations or hosts sometimes indicate if gifts are optional, and expectations can vary depending on the event’s purpose or the host’s preferences.
Cost is often a factor when deciding on a graduation gift. Students may choose to set a personal spending limit to stay within their financial means but there is a wide range of gifts that can be found at different price points. Attendees may opt for handmade or personalized items, while others choose monetary gifts or gift cards. Any thoughtful gift can serve as a gesture of recognition for the graduate’s accomplishment. “As someone who draws for fun, I drew a funny picture of an inside joke between my friend and me and gave it as their gift,” junior Vikram Mishra said.
Gift giving reflects the relationship between the guest and the graduate. For example, family members or close friends might choose to give something more personalized or specific to the graduate’s interests or future plans. In contrast, someone less familiar with the graduate may select a more general gift or simply offer a congratulatory message. There are no strict guidelines, and individuals choose gifts based on their comfort and knowledge of the graduate. “In my experience, I tend to give a bigger gift to people I am closer with because I have built up a strong relationship with them, as opposed to a more distant friend,” senior Max Greenberg said.
In some cases, groups of friends or classmates decide on a joint gift. Group gifting can help distribute costs while allowing the group to present something more substantial. Coordination is often needed to ensure the gift is agreed upon by everyone involved and fits within each person’s budget. This approach can be especially useful for gifts that are larger or more customized.
Graduation gifts come in many forms and are often selected based on what the giver feels is useful or meaningful. Some gifts may be related to the graduate’s next steps, such as items for college, travel or employment. Others may focus on celebrating the moment itself such as photo keepsakes or written messages. There is flexibility in how people choose to recognize the occasion, and gifts vary in content and value. “I like to find something personal for the individual or relate the gift to something the person and I have bonded over throughout high school,” senior Daniel Yaya said.
Whether someone brings a gift or not, their presence at a graduation celebration can be seen as a meaningful form of support. Guests may decide to participate in different ways by attending, sending a note or offering congratulations. What matters to graduates and families is acknowledging the milestone, regardless of how it is expressed. “Having a smaller graduation party at dinner with just my immediate family and closest childhood friends helped for more acknowledgment because of the more meaningful cards written by my closest friends,” Greenberg said.
