Graduation gift?

[Monkeyfeets]

My DD is graduating next month.
What is the norm re graduation gifts, is this something parents do?

I don’t know @RampantIvy. Every single student (women at least) at DD’s graduation a couple of years ago had flowers so I was just relieved that she wasn’t feeling unloved! Agreed that it’s not the most practical thing to be taking care of on the day.

Interesting.
I've been to quite a lot of graduations over the years and have never seen people carrying flowers about.
As pp said, it seems quite an impractical thing.

There were loads of female graduates carrying flowers at both my dds graduations!
Looked very glamorous
I wasn’t that organised. And I’m sure I would have ended up carrying them!

Nothing but congratulations and pride. They graduated debt free and that was present enough, frankly

I will give my friend a T-shirt for his graduate next week.

A university branded mug. Bone china job.

I only keep pens in it (I prefer a big mug for tea) but 25 years on I still love seeing it every day.

Sounds good. £10.99 it is then 🤣

At my DSs graduation we paid for the gown and photos and a lovely family meal out, and also some uni branded things from the uni shop e.g. a sweatshirt, mug, scarf etc.

One of their US girlfriends' family went all out with really expensive gifts (watches, jewellery, leather bags etc) and we felt rather embarrassed, as we had got her a..... card!😬

That's exactly what we've done. Paid for gown and photos, and we're taking people out to lunch to celebrate after the ceremony. Several people going as the uni lays on a live stream for those who can't get into the actual ceremony.

I will cry because I'm a terrible crier. I cried when he put on his graduation suit the other day. Hopeless. I will take many tissues and my eyelashes are dyed rather than mascara anyway.

I don't know a single under 25 who wears a watch, they all use their phones, don't they?

I don't know a single under 25 who wears a watch, they all use their phones, don't they?

No.

What is the degree?

A medical science then something like a stethoscope. Commonly jewellery alongside a teddy in a cap and gown.

Yes.

No gift but we did take her out for tea at a posh hotel.

They will have had a stethoscope through their degree most likely

Actually, you have reminded me that I did get DD a gift - a graduation outfit for her Build a Bear teddy 😀

There are stethoscopes and then there are stethoscopes. Price range from £5 to £200+.

Old school here, a classic fountain pen!

My daughter wanted a nice traditional watch, not very expensive.

Oh god, please tell me this isn't a fucking thing? I've already spent thousands and thousands on supporting them through uni, paying their rent, visiting them, sending Uber orders and even attending the graduation will cost us the best part of £3k. We have booked dinner on the evening of the graduation but that's it.

@TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack No it’s not! The rich don’t do it! Most just accept the degree is the prize. Just attend the graduation - stuff stupid bears! We bought DDs a dress to wear. Others we know have bought interview/first job suits.

No, it isn't.

My three have alll graduated and it never occurred to me to give them a graduation gift! Paid for their gowns and nice meal out afterwards. Luckily they don’t read MN 🤦‍♀️

@TheSecondMrsCampbellBlack Why is graduation cost so much? Is it abroad? That’s choice really. One night in a travelodge is what most do!

It’s because it’s 8 hours away from where we live, in a place that’s a holiday destination so accommodation is ££ so we need (well, choose!) to stay 3 nights plus we are taking some family

No gift from me, we have supported enough already!
We paid for a fancy meal and cab back, that's quite enough I think, I agree with the degree itself being the 'prize'.