8th Grade Graduation gifts

[Toonces]

I was invited to an 8th grade graduation party by my former boss. It's her daughter's graduation party. Any gift ideas for 8th grade graduation? I'd like to spend $25-$50.

TIA!

[Sashi]

In general, a gift card would be ideal because a 14 year old girl is usually picky!

A nice picture frame or photo album isn't that bad of an idea either. I'll think of more and return if I come up with anything. good luck!

[nettreefrog]

My daughter is 12 (in 6th grade), but some things she and her friends like include: funky bags (my DD was looking at ones with her favorite band), gift cards to Claires or other places to buy accessories, gift cards to Abercrombie, etc.

[Toonces]

Thank you for the ideas! I've forgotten what it's like to be 12 (and picky!). :) I think I'll go with the gift card idea. I remember her mom saying that she likes that store Hollister - I hadn't even heard of it before! I must be really behind the times.

[Chimichanga]

Cash is always a good one. honestly, that's what I really liked when I graduated and that's what I always give for graduation gifts unless I'm REALLY close with the person. GC you just don't know if she (or he) is into that store.

[Hello Kitty]

Holister is perfect for an 8th-grader.

My niece graduated last year, and she loved gift cards (clothing, food places, Itunes), cell phone :rolleyes:, and Paris Hilton perfume :rolleyes::rolleyes:, and cash. Someone gave her a pre-loaded debit-type card, which she thought she was really hot stuff, running it like a credit card.

[Toonces]

Someone gave her a pre-loaded debit-type card, which she thought she was really hot stuff, running it like a credit card.

That's a really good idea. I remember playing bank when I was in Jr. High and thinking I was so cool playing with pretend money and a pretend microphone (for the drive up window). :p I probably would have been on cloud 9 to have a debit card!

[kathywathy]

Do you think I'm terrible since I don't want to get DH's niece an 8th grade graduation present?

I feel like we are giving presents left and right for every occasion. It has to stop.

If this was her high school graduation, that would be a different story, but 8th grade??

[ManteoChik]

It might not be as important to you, but its still a significant day in a young persons life. I mean...she is going to high school.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, how about a $20 gift card to a movie theater near you or to a clothing store so she can get something to wear to her new school?

You don't have to get her anything, but if it were me I'd at least get something small.

[lml41981]

Good Lord, no. I wouldn't give her an 8th grade graduation gift. Big deal that she's going to high school...she kinda has to. I don't know if you're technically allowed to drop out of school that early.

Just wish her luck in high school and give her a hug.

[PG-rated]

I think a nice card would be just fine. She can't be expecting a present from every family member.

[Winter Biscuit]

It's been nearly 20 years since I graduated from 8th grade (:eek: ) but it was a pretty big deal to us. I went to a Catholic school from Kindergarten through 8th grade, so we had a formal graduation Mass, got all dressed up, and most of our families had graduation parties. It was a significant milestone for us (esp. since it was a Catholic school - for some reason they just made a big deal about moving on to the next phase of our faith journey, whereas some of my friends who went to public school were like, "Eh? A 8th grade graduation? Big deal!"), although I can see how it would have seemed insignificant to others. FWIW, only my parents and grandparents gave me "big" gifts. IIRC, aunts and uncles just gave me smaller gifts or even just a card. If you're not comfortable giving a gift, how about a nice card? Maybe you could invite her over to your house for dinner or something and have a in-home spa night with pedicures, etc. (where you paint your own nails - no need to hire someone else ;))

[udsweetpea]

I agree with ManteoChik. Eighth grade graduation is a big deal in a young person's life. How about a card with cash in it? Or movie tickets? I would get her something small, but something that shows you thought of her on her big day.

[Rose]

How close are you? The only gift I got was from my parents and it was something small.

I think a card is fine.

[PG-rated]

Just because eighth grade graduation is a big deal to her doesn't mean that everyone else has to make a big deal out of it. I went to a private school where we had a big ceremony, keynote speaker, awards, and a reception afterwards. But my extended family (other than my grandparents) didn't make a big deal out of it. And I have a good relationship with my aunts and uncles, but I doubt they gave me more than a card.

[lml41981]

Just because something is a big deal in someone's life doesn't mean you automatically have to give them a gift. My school didn't even *do* 8th grade graduation...I think it is pretty silly, myself. Graduation is for when you finish high school and finish college (and each degree beyond the BA/BS). I think this trend of kindergarten, fourth grade, and 8th grade graduations is pretty silly and I wouldn't give a gift for any of them.

[Missy2U]

If it were me, I'd probably do a $20 gift card of some sort. That'd be about it.

[jennylou]

Here's another 8th Grade Graduation Gift (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=19679) thread that already exists in the gift forum.

[Neen]

It was a big deal at my duaghters school. There were only 14 kids in her class and most of them (exept maybe 3) had been in school together since 3 year old pre-school. Granted my kids go to a private Lutheran School, but I know the public schools in the area do a 8th grade graduation.

I'd just get her a nice card or small gift/gift card/movie tickets. Acknowledge it, but you don't have to make a big deal out of it.

[thedoorchick]

Just because something is a big deal in someone's life doesn't mean you automatically have to give them a gift. My school didn't even *do* 8th grade graduation...I think it is pretty silly, myself. Graduation is for when you finish high school and finish college (and each degree beyond the BA/BS). I think this trend of kindergarten, fourth grade, and 8th grade graduations is pretty silly and I wouldn't give a gift for any of them.

I must concur. In 18 years of school, I had two graduations. And frankly, the college one wasn't such a big deal. My parents came to the ceremony, we went to dinner, we moved me out of my apartment. The end.

To answer the OP, if you feel you need to acknowledge it, give a card.

[IrishMeg]

Just because something is a big deal in someone's life doesn't mean you automatically have to give them a gift. My school didn't even *do* 8th grade graduation...I think it is pretty silly, myself. Graduation is for when you finish high school and finish college (and each degree beyond the BA/BS). I think this trend of kindergarten, fourth grade, and 8th grade graduations is pretty silly and I wouldn't give a gift for any of them.

I agree with this! At my SD's school they have a preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th grade, and 8th grade graduations!! :eek: Give me a break. I can barely remember graduating from 8th grade, let alone celebrating it.

[tenofcups]

I haven't yet given an 8th grade graduation present to anyone. Truthfully, I opened this thread just to see what it was about since it never occurred to me to give a present for that! (And I KNOW I didn't get any--I don't remember that being remotely a special event.)

My first answer is that I wouldn't give a gift. The rest of my answer, though, is that it would depend on what everyone else in the family is doing. I'd hate to be the only family member to not give a gift if everyone else is (everyone else of comparable relationships I mean--I wouldn't feel that I'd want to do the same as her parents or grandparents, for example, but I would want to do something similar to what the other aunts and uncles are doing).

[Hello Kitty]

I think regional/social differences come in to play. My niece's 8th grade graduation party was quite the bash. But then our family doesn't celebrate holidays or other stuff, so it's more of a big deal than for a lot of people. But then, you say you feel you're giving gifts right and left, so I can understand how it's a bit irritating.

I would toss her a card with a $20 in to it and be done with it.

[majorgal]

It might not be as important to you, but its still a significant day in a young persons life. I mean...she is going to high school.


But high school graduation really signifies completing a chapter in one's life...much more than 8th grade. Besides, when you complete 8th grade, you are just going on to something else you HAVE to do--as far as I know, high school is required. Maybe I am not sentimental, but I don't consider finishing middle school a milestone in my life.

I have to go to work on Monday. If I threw a party to celebrate that, should I expect gifts, too?

Yeah, I am being snarky, but I think there are people who are starting to go overboard with gifts. For me, it started with registries for first birthday parties. To me, the 8th grade graduation gifts is another example of excess....and I am speaking as someone who tends to be excessive in my gift-giving.

[justHB]

My junior high had a really great 8th grade graduation ceremony (so much better than high school or college, really) and it was an absolutely perfect day. That said, I didn't get one card or one present and I didn't expect to. I was just so dang happy to be heading to high school.

[thedoorchick]

There are registries for first birthday parties? Holy crap!

[Myra]

There are registries for first birthday parties? Holy crap!
Please be joking. Please.

[majorgal]

Not joking. I have been invited to more than one party where this was the case.

While I love a good registry, it's all getting to be too much.

[artist]

There are registries for first birthday parties? Holy crap!

Wow!

(Unless it were someone who is celebrating a 40th birthday and he/she never got married and would really like some new towels and dishes, how incredibly stupid!)