Gift Ideas Please!!!!

United States
June 14, 2008 12:11pm CST
Okay I really need some help on this one. I got an invite for a graduation party. Its my neighbors daughter. We dont really know here well she used to babysit for us but she got very busy and quit babysitting. What I need to know is what do I get her for a gift. We were more invited because we live next door than anything else. Im not up on the parties and what you bring when invited. I was thinking like $10.00 in a card mabey i dont know. So what do I buy for a graduation gift when I dont know the person too well or is it acceptable to show up with just a card?
9 people like this
45 responses
@twallace (2675)
• United States
14 Jun 08
To me the gift card would be good enough. Not knowing what she would like as a gift and all. Find a nice card and inside it put the gift card; then for sure you know that she will get just what she might really want. Sometimes its hard to determine what a person would like and you wouldn't want to get the wrong thing and they don't make use of it.
• United States
14 Jun 08
Yep I figure with cash you cant go wrong. I mean who doesnt like cash.
1 person likes this
@twallace (2675)
• United States
16 Jun 08
You can't go wrong with that. At least you know she will put it to good use. Have a good one.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Jun 08
hi minnie I was reading the other comments and remembered a gift I got at graduation years back. a little tree made of branches woven to gether and on each branch was a one dollar bill, a money tree so I got fifteen dollarswhich back then was a lot of money to a seventeen year old in second world war days. I was so thrilled at the clever little tree and 'the dollar bills I received.
• United States
14 Jun 08
That is a cute way of giving the cash indead. Thanks for sharing.
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Money! All graduates like money I give money all the time wheter or not I know the person,money is always acceptable in all cases if it is graduation,birthdays or whatever.You have a great day.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
It seems most agree cash is always a good idea thanks.
1 person likes this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
14 Jun 08
What I would give is a gift card, maybe. I think thats the best thing you could give, especially if you don't know the person very well, that way they could use it to get whatever they want. Like here, everybody uses the wal-mart gift cards, or you could give a gift card they could use at a restaurant, maybe they could use it to buy lunch or something.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
I never thought of a restaurant gift card thats not a bad idea either thanks.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
14 Jun 08
While a card is perfectly acceptable, if you choose to add a gift I have a couple of suggestions. One, you can enclose a gift card in your graduation card. Or, give her a journal and a nice pen as a set - although the gift card would be the easy way out. LOL
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
I like taking the easy way out lol.
• Turkey
14 Jun 08
A movie or a music CD,A T-shirt,book or funny things?
• United States
14 Jun 08
All good ideas thanks.
2 people like this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I gave gift cards to everyone that has recently graduated. This way I haven't purchased the wrong item, as many stores won't take items back in this area without charging a stocking fee. Some require a receipt. The last thing I would give to somebody I don't know well is the receipt or have them get charged a fee. I certainly wouldn't want the neighbor to get mad at me. They could make my life very hard. I don't like loud music and I'm sure they would play it even louder. Good luck and hope the weather is nice for this event. This area had their graduation already. It was faster than other years; however, once again mylar balloons caused the power to go out.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Yeah ours all started last wekend around here. I was surprized they decided to have theres on Fathers Day.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Hello minnie, A card with that amount would be best for someone you are not very close with, I know she will be happy for that.Or maybe, a summer sandal or slipper!
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Yeah dont know her size or anything. I really dont know her at all but id feel guilty showing up empty handed.
• United States
15 Jun 08
I see! So, you got the best decision I guess for someone not close, I know everyone will appreciate cash, they can use it to anything they want!
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I would think maybe a card with either some money or a gift card from a favorite store around there. Maybe ask her parents if there is anything that she needs that is within reasonable price.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
My neighbors just say nothing lol. So cash it is.
1 person likes this
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I was just invited to a graduation party and gave the graduate a gift card to a local department store.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Not a bad idea either thanks. I just dont know where she really likes to shop.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Sure, show up with a card (in a card), grads would rather buy their stuff anyway. $10.00 should be fine, party on!
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
I know shes going off to college so im sure a little cash would be useful.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I think your idea is perfect. Get her a card with money in it. I know some people I would consider friends and I know that they would prefer money over something else occasionally. I have given my friends money with instructions to use it however they wished, but to make sure that they enjoyed it (even if it meant that they paid bills with it). If you really want to get her a gift, ask her parents if they could suggest something. Normally, I think, when you don't know the person very well, money is always an appropriate gift.
• United States
14 Jun 08
I asked they said not to get her anything it wasnt neccesary but I want to anyways so im thinking cash thanks.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
14 Jun 08
My youngest just graduated and she appreciated the money she received the most. I always give money or a gift card to someone I don't know well so that they can pick out what they want so I think your idea is a good one.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Thats what I was thinking. At least with cash you cant go wrong. Im just hoping $10.00 is good because im not spending more than that. I know it dont get you much these days but shell be getting more im sure.
1 person likes this
• China
14 Jun 08
I think you could buy some flowers or the things which could express your meaning! Expressing your meaning is the most important,not consider the material pattern!
2 people like this
• United States
3 Jul 08
I think a card with cash or a gift card would be fine. I know it's hard to buy for someone you don't know very well and everyone loves to get money as gifts. I think it would be fine to show up with a card.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I think that is a totally acceptable gift and would be well appreciated. Money is always appreciated and could go towards so many things that only the recipient knows they need! Good choice.
1 person likes this
@kaleegirl45 (1515)
• United States
16 Jun 08
Hi minnie A gift certifcate is the best thing. You can give a Starbucks, movies, they have them for everything. and if you don't want to go just stop by and give to her. I'm sure she won't mind.
• United States
20 Jun 08
Not sure how old she is, but I'm thinking around 17 or 18? If so, she might like a cute pair of sterling silver earrings. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find a pair of sterling silver hoops for less than ten dollars at the local mall. Or, get her a gift certificate to Eyes Lips Face cosmetics online. Everything there is just a dollar but the very best quality. It's the only kind of lipgloss that I use. They can actually email her the gift certificate if you know her email address. I use that gift all the time.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
17 Jun 08
I think a card with $10 would be a very nice gift. Most kids that age would rather have money so they can buy what they want or may need for college.
@cjgrooms (4456)
• United States
14 Jun 08
All teens enjoy making their own choices so with money you cant go wrong! If it was a family member that you were particually close to you might want to give something more personal but that is not the case here. Have a great day. Pat little Missy and tell her i said hello.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jun 08
Yep cash it will be lol. Will do but i warn you Missy bites (but it doesnt hurt yet)