Key Takeaways

• More than a third of Americans will be giving graduation gifts this year, with an average price of $116.97.
• The amount you give depends on grade, age, your relationship to the recipient and your budget.
• Consider crowdfunding for bigger gifts and investment donations for high school graduates.
• Avoid being guilted into spending more with graduation announcements.

Giving money, items or experiences to a loved one who has reached an educational milestone is a long-standing tradition in the United States.

A National Retail Federation’s 2024 graduation spending survey found that 34% of respondents will be buying a gift for a high school or college graduate this year. People expected to spend $116.97, on average. More than half (52%) planned to give cash gifts.

The type and value of what you give depends on many factors, including the person’s age and your relationship to them. In the end, though, the amount you spend should always be within your financial means.

Advancing to the next major grade level is an exciting step for many kids, so you may want to give them a token to commemorate the event.

Nick Leighton, an New York-based etiquette expert and host of the Were you Raised by Wolves? podcast says he does not recommend cash gifts for kids and young teenagers. An age-appropriate item, however – especially when you're related to the child or know them well – is a lovely gesture.

“It should be something that is related to what they’re interested in,” Leighton says. “Or, it could be one of your passions. I like to introduce people to art and music. Experiences are also nice. Take them on an outing as a treat. The point is to give something that indicates that they are special to you.”

If you want to bestow something to the parent of a child in this age group, you may want to help them build funds for the child’s higher education.

Patricia Roberts, the chief........

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