We don’t / didn’t get notices of any extended family graduations ever nor have we done any Christmas gifts for any extended family members in many many decades. Haven’t been to an extended family marriage in decades either.

We only celebrate our son and his family and our daughter and her family so that’s 8 people. Mostly no gifts but we do experiences by paying all their camp fees every Summer which is a lot.

I think it isn’t necessary to give gifts either money or actual presents to anyone else. Well wishes by card or phone is plenty.

We give very large donations to several important to us charities and our children know this.

I guess this qualifies as ” my hill to die on”. Trailrunner/ c

I think it depends on one's relationship to the graduate. For a graduate who I don't know, but that I feel I MUST give a gift, I think a congratulatory card and $100 is sufficient (or even just a card alone). For a graduate with whom I have an ongoing connection, there is no limit.

His family is tiny, so they are truly some of his only living relatives. He has a brother, two nieces, and two grandnieces. That’s it as far as I know.

Maybe my question should be: what do you give for HS graduation?

Fun2BHere, I was typing and didn’t see your response yet, but you’ve answered my question perfectly. Thank you!

I agree with Fun2Be. $100 is more than enough for such a distant relationship and $50 might have been okay too. It's not like a high school graduation is such a monumentous event that the entire extended family would congregate. Not even for a college graduation is that typical and that's much more significant.

Thanks everyone! All helpful.

Nothing

Lizzie_grow, The check was cashed very shortly after she received it. His nieces have always sent thank you cards and have had their kids send them too, but he never received any acknowledgment for this check. Very odd. That made me question the amount.

mtn, really?!

I don't personally find high school graduation to be that much of an accomplishment. It's a given in my world. What is this person doing with his life after high school, knowing that might influence my gift a bit. In the end it's a decision driven by your assets. I think any gift small or large is sufficient. To think there's a required/expected amount is just wrong on many levels.

Give what is in your budget or heart - not according to what anyone else gives.

HS Graduations -- non relatives, (think neighbors) and we have to know them pretty well $25.

We're a pretty small family, so we don't have any other HS grads.

I gave the neighbor twin girls $100 each for HS graduation, but I had Hawaiian-style money leis with $50, mixed with paper in the school colors, and then $50 each in cards.

The money leis are common in California, both just flowers and with currency, but here in PA, no one had ever heard of such a thing!

I usually give $100 for birthdays and HS graduatons. I have a tiny family with only one first cousin currently having grandkids in that age range. I'm very close to my cousin's daughter, so like to acknowledge her kids' milestones. I am also close to a very large family with lots of kids and now grandkids, so usually also send (or take to their parties) $100. I love being included in their celebrations. I sometimes try to find a little gift to incllude, but not always.

I agree with mtn and arcy. Nothing. Graduating from hs is a given. We never sent announcments. Its asking for a gift , imo, and would be embarrassing to receive one.