Whether
it’s marking the end of middle school, high school, or college, graduation is a
thrilling time. It’s a moment to celebrate, this sending-off to
the next level (or out into the “real world”). If you’re considering
gift-giving to mark the occasion, you might be thinking of cash gifts. Worried that it’s too impersonal a present? Fear not—you can make a cash
gift both meaningful and memorable, and without breaking the bank.
Talking
about money can be hard, especially in these economic times, but let’s be
realistic and discuss how much you should give.
It turns
out that there’s not an across-the-board answer—no “Give this amount for eighth
graders and this amount for college grads.” No. This is a more nuanced
decision, based on a lot of different things—how well you know the graduate,
the graduate’s future financial needs, your own financial status. Consider the
graduate’s level of support and stage of independence: a person beginning their
post-college career may appreciate a larger cash gift than a young teenager who
lives in a financially stable home.
Don’t feel
pressure to give beyond your means. A modest amount of money is still a
wonderful gift, especially if you include it in a note written on personal
stationary. When you give money along with a heartfelt letter, your words of
encouragement and wisdom will be long remembered after the money is spent.
You can
also take the focus off the money by making it the secondary gift. We like to
give meaningful books and tuck a cash gift inside the pages. When we write the
inscription in the front of the book, we mention a particular page number. It’s
a nice surprise, and the book makes the gift more personal and significant.
Regardless
of the present, make sure your graduate feels your love—that kind of support
sustains more than money!
