Are Graduation Gifts A Thing?

[LoveAllCakes]

Just saw an advert where a father giving his daughter something on her graduation. Our daughter’s graduation is next month and now I’m wondering is this the norm? We’re not parents that rewarded GCSEs or A Levels as we’ve always believed that the reward for the hard work is the qualification. Do parents buy their children a graduation present?

I didn't. However, I should qualify that. We spent money hiring the gown, buying the photo, etc. In some cases there are souvenirs, the ubiquitous mug, and DVD, etc.
Problems could arise if you have more than one child, and only one graduates. The others would feel even worse.
So we made it a celebration, a day out, a meal, etc, but not an extra gift.

My parents gave me a gold bracelet when I graduated

I think I might have got some flowers from mum (which never happens so was a big deal) but I wasn't expecting anything

I should say that was in 1991 and there was no other tat such as mugs, dvds etc, just the obligatory formal studio photo in my gown and hood.
My kids have gone down the apprenticeship/working route

We didn’t buy our DDs anything but my SIL gave them a Pandora graduation charm. She’d already bought the bracelets for their 21st. But she’s American and I think it’s more of a done thing there.
We did go to the graduation though and took them out for drinks and dinner and stayed overnight.

Nope ..we haven’t given gifts for passing exams . I guess if we were all together for graduation, we might go for a meal though.

Dds graduation was cancelled due to COVID but we did celebrate by going out for a nice meal with extended family. We would also have paid for gown hire and official photos.

I think we gave dd some cash to pay for a gig ticket as a gift but that was mainly because the previous year and a bit had been so c**p because of COVID

I got Vivienne Westwood shoes and bag to wear to my graduation as well as a necklace. I cherish them very much! Most people did get gifts of some sort and taken for a meal - this was 8 years ago.

@LoveAllCakes

Just saw an advert where a father giving his daughter something on her graduation. Our daughter’s graduation is next month and now I’m wondering is this the norm? We’re not parents that rewarded GCSEs or A Levels as we’ve always believed that the reward for the hard work is the qualification. Do parents buy their children a graduation present?

Some do, it's varied, sometimes it's like the e.g. Uni graduation teddy bears, uni hoodies with the names and graduation date on it, ect other items it's cars etc, depends on the family.

There is a lot of talk about graduation gifts on the WIWIKAU Facebook page. Until I saw them I didn't know they were a thing. As DD's birthday is the day after graduation and she is moving out of her student house the day after that I'm not really giving it any consideration.

Thank you everyone we’re travelling up the day before and staying over so dinner the night before and lunch after the graduation will be on us. Can’t wait, very proud.

I got a picture of the place where I was studying. Actually, I think dm gave me some money to choose something. Picture is on wall in front of me, 30 years (gulp) later.

giftdea

A friend gave her daughter one of these prints which I thought was nice.

Can I ask what about adult child grads? Child is 28, earning more than both parents and engaged and living together. However I'm VERY proud so a gift would be lovely. But what!!??

DD graduates this year. We’ll be hiring her gown and taking her out for lunch afterwards.

My parents paid off my overdraft (all £400 of it - back when £400 was a fortune ☺️🤣) in return for never asking them for money ever again. Not sure that will work in today’s climate when jobs/ houses are far harder to come by!! We went out for a lovely dinner and night in a hotel (it was too far away from home to make a day trip) when DC graduated

I gave DD a heart necklace for hers , and a teddy bear wearing a mortar board and gown ( yes silly I know but I was ridiculously happy !) . It's been 10 years and she still wears the necklace ,and has the bear in her walk-in wardrobe on a shelf of memorabilia .

My parents got me a beautiful fountain pen for my graduation, which I cherish and use :) but I was already a pen/stationery geek and so was Dad so I think that made the decision easier!

I didn't. Mind you I didn't attend either of their graduations, or indeed my own

My parents gave me a week in Ibiza. It was great.

I gave DD1 a Nintendo Switch when she finished her degree (she resolved not to get one while studying). I gave DD2 some money. I think it was £200 each from DH and me. She paid for gown, we paid for meal. DD1’s graduation was postponed so later this year. Expect we will pay for meal etc but not an additional gift.

I think if I totalled up what we’ve paid for while DD has been at uni, I might faint. We’ve always celebrated exam results but don’t do gifts.

We have supported DD financially through university as well @Benjispruce4. I almost feel like I am being strongarmed into buying DD a graduation gift, but it won't be an expensive one. DD is still really into Build a Bear, so I might just buy a graduation robe and hat for her bear

Ha ha that’s funny @RampantIvy. DD’s is long gone. She’s not one for sentimentality, unlike me! I do like the idea of a print of Durham or framed map. No doubt lots on Etsy.

My parents gave me a gold pendant as a graduation gift though I ever expected them to do so. I think it is a thing but only if you wish to, it's not like it's expected. You can have a small family celebration instead or make a graduation video with DDs photos or something of that kind.