8th grade grad gift

[bibbidiboo3]

Looking for advice on an appropriate gift for 8th grade graduation for niece and nephew (different families). Money - how much? Or a gift certificate? Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks!

[dnickels]

20-30 bucks I would guess? I think cash is an easier gift to give than a gift card.

It's interesting how things change, I'm not THAT old, but when I was in school I'd never even heard or thought of jr. high graduation or grade school graduation or kindergarten graduation or preschool graduation. I think after 8th grade finished I may have had a few days off then it was time to start summer work on the farm.

[Disney Doll]

I was wondering about a HS grad gift for a nephew. I was thinking $50. We've had no contact with him for the last 6 years so I don't want to do anything extravagant, but I do want to give something. Honestly I was a little surprised when we received the graduation announcement. I'm clueless.

When I graduated junior high (1995) it was just another day.

[NotaGeek]

8th grade graduation? I hate these new traditions of unmerited graduation -- graduation is HIGH SCHOOL or COLLEGE. Finishing 8th grade is nothing special, and shouldn't be an considered a milestone IMO. I mean graduating kindergarten is cute ... but 8th grade? Come on.

If I were you I would send them a card that says good job, or how about a book or a new back pack for the kid to use in 9th grade? If you must send cash $10 would be my limit. It's 8th grade, not Harvard.

For high school ... don't you remember? You send out a million announcements in hopes for cold hard cash ... $50 is more than appropriate.

[SBETigg]

The 8th Grade graduation is a big deal around here. They even did it when I was a kid. Any reason to celebrate, why not? Just another rite of passage. Give what you feel comfortable giving. Instead of giving money, I would suggest some sort of keepsake to commemorate the occasion. Perhaps an engraved pen or charm for a bracelet, something like that (and you may look thoughtful without spending as much as you would feel the need to spend if you gave cash). The standard money gift around here seems to be about $50, twice as much for high school.

[vicster]

I usually give $25.00 for eigth grade grad, $50.00 for HS grad, and $100.00 for college grad.

Another idea for 8th grade grad would be a sweatshirt for their high school.

[Mickey'sGirl]

The 8th Grade graduation is a big deal around here. They even did it when I was a kid. Any reason to celebrate, why not? Just another rite of passage. Give what you feel comfortable giving. Instead of giving money, I would suggest some sort of keepsake to commemorate the occasion. Perhaps an engraved pen or charm for a bracelet, something like that (and you may look thoughtful without spending as much as you would feel the need to spend if you gave cash). The standard money gift around here seems to be about $50, twice as much for high school.

Ditto. It was a big deal for us some 25+ years ago. My niece is graduating from Grade 8, and Elementary School in June. We are proud of her, and will be giving her $50 to show her so.

[Melanie]

8th grade graduation? I hate these new traditions of unmerited graduation -- graduation is HIGH SCHOOL or COLLEGE. Finishing 8th grade is nothing special, and shouldn't be an considered a milestone IMO. I mean graduating kindergarten is cute ... but 8th grade? Come on.

AGREED 100%!!!!!!!!!!

[Tinkerfreak]

My DD is ending 8th grade next month and there is no graduation but there is a semi-formal dance that only 8th graders can attend and only from her school. I love that they have a no-limo policy at this age. I think things are getting so out of control that by the time a kid does graduate high school or go to high school prom they have allready done the limo thing and it is not so special to them. If they have a graduation cermemony for every milestone it makes high school graduation just another graduation. I am proud of my daughter and we are having fun shopping for a dress for the dance and her and her friends are going to have fun getting ready for the dance together. I don't think they are missing out by not having a graduation ceremony, they are still excited to be starting high school next year.
My opinion is just my opinion and not in any way meant to critisize anyone. I hope everyone enjoys their graduation however they choose to celebrate it!!!

[HollyB]

My twins are being promoted from 8th grade this year. We've decided to give each of them a T shirt with the logo of the local high school. To me it says, "Congrats, you did good, but it ain't over yet!"

Since I expect them to at least get a 4 year degree (and both are making noises about grad school already), I don't want to make too big a deal about 8th grade.

[MaryPoppinsFan]

My son is graduating 8th grade on June 4th and it's a big deal at our small Lutheran school. in fact our school is combining with another Lutheran school in the area next fall so after 52 years this will be the last graduating class from Hosanna-Tabor school. he was confirmed last weekend which is an even bigger deal and we had a huge party after that, so the grade school graduation we'll just have the school reception afterwards. I'm sure he'll get at least 25.00 from his family.
The hard part is we had his confirmation, his birthday is the 30th and graduation the 4th. going to be an expensive month. plus we leave for Florida on the 5th.
on a side note our family is adopting our 10 month old foster child. we figured out that when my son graduates high school in 2013, his sister will graduate 8th grade and the baby will graduate will kindergarten. Talk about expensive!!

[crazypoohbear]

My son is graduating 8th grade on June 4th and it's a big deal at our small Lutheran school. in fact our school is combining with another Lutheran school in the area next fall so after 52 years this will be the last graduating class from Hosanna-Tabor school. he was confirmed last weekend which is an even bigger deal and we had a huge party after that, so the grade school graduation we'll just have the school reception afterwards. I'm sure he'll get at least 25.00 from his family.
The hard part is we had his confirmation, his birthday is the 30th and graduation the 4th. going to be an expensive month. plus we leave for Florida on the 5th.
on a side note our family is adopting our 10 month old foster child. we figured out that when my son graduates high school in 2013, his sister will graduate 8th grade and the baby will graduate will kindergarten. Talk about expensive!!

WOW, I thought my June was busy, you beat me!
Congrats on the "new" baby and the graduation.
I'm glad that your schools combined to keep the school going. It's not ideal but at least there will be a church school to go to.
Have a great time with all your celebrations.

[MaryPoppinsFan]

Thanks crazypoohbear! We are going to have a great time. I didnt even mention my daughters 10th birthday is June 1st but I love all the activity. I'm also hoping to start a new job as I have interviewed twice and they are checking my references.

we prayed hard about staying with the new school but the church is truely our home so we'll stay.

[SBETigg]

My twins are being promoted from 8th grade this year. We've decided to give each of them a T shirt with the logo of the local high school. To me it says, "Congrats, you did good, but it ain't over yet!"

Since I expect them to at least get a 4 year degree (and both are making noises about grad school already), I don't want to make too big a deal about 8th grade.

Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any degree of correlation between big celebrations for 8th grade graduation and ceasing to further one's education. My son had a large celebration for 8th grade graduation and he is headed to university in the fall and plans to go on to study law. My daughter also had a big 8th grade grad event (our public school really makes a big deal of it) and yet she also plans to head to college and she's an outstanding violinist.

I'm pretty sure telling them they weren't done yet wouldn't have been any more of a motivator than celebrating their accomplishments so far.