NIFR-money for grads

SASSY1JA

I have a cousin's graduation tomorrow and not sure how much to give?  I don't want to be cheap but we had to put our cat down last month so we have a couple grand in vet bills along with the thousands we've been spending on IUI's.  This is my first cousin since we've been married so in the past i've gone in with my parents. (i'm the oldest of the cousins so nothing to compare to) he's not going to a university as he gets free schooling form a local community college. (I know that shouldn't matter but it's hard not to think about)  so just looking to see what the thoughts are on standard amounts?  Thanks!

sweetky_06

I'm a fan of basing any gift on 3 things: how close you are to the person (and not just 1st cousin vs. distant cousin, but personal relationship wise), what your current financial situation is, and will you compare future gifts from that person to the gifts you've given them in the past.

I've been hurt in the past because I've put a lot of effort into gifts for people (like making cross stitch wedding samplers) and then they turned around and gave me a mini muffin tin for my wedding (I am not joking). Give what you are comfortable with and with no expectations in return. 

DeputiesWife

I, too, have been hurt in the past by gifts. I put a lot of effort into mine. A lot. Usually they are some type of photo related because i love pictures.

However, for graduation - I usually do $50 bucks to my cousins.

I feel like even 20 would be fine. We live far away from my cousins as DH and I moved from our home town so we didnt go to the grad parties, but they were appreciative that we thought of them.

LaneyLooLoo

sweetky_06:

Give what you are comfortable with and with no expectations in return. 

maddie789

I agree with basing it on how close you personally are with the cousin. For instance, next year I have two cousins graduating... one of them we are close to and we'd probably give him $50, but the other one doesn't even acknowledge us, so we'd probably just give her $20 or $30. Lucikly they're on different sides of the family, so they'll never know the difference!!

Jill070707

I gave a cousin $25 last weekend, and I will probably give a family friend $25 this weekend.  I don't know, I just don't think graduations are that big a deal (in terms of a gift required), plus there are always a million at once!

njohnson1972

I gave my nephew $50.  I am not that close to him (his mother is my half-sister and was given up for adoption, so we have only known each other for about 10 years).