<p>Hey guys. I graduated about two weeks ago (suck it, those of you who are are still suffering), & this time of year is a frenzy of money, gifts, & thank you cards, as well as grad parties. </p>
<p>I've been to two parties so far: one was a big, invite-everyone-you-know thing, & I didn't get the hosts anything; the other was a huge get-together of friends hosted by two friends whom I've been close with since middle school, so I got them cards & small presents. I have a few more parties coming up in the next few weeks -- hosted by friends but mostly not super-close friends like the ones that I got gifts for. Would it be proper to get them cards & something generic like $25 gift cards? These are guys, so they're hard to shop for, lol -- the two presents I've given so far were pieces of jewelry for female friends. </p>
<p>There's also a third case -- a friend sent out very generous monetary gifts & is having a party in about a month. I think that I'm going to try to get him a thoughtful gift, since obviously I'm not just gonna reciprocate with the same amount of money. But again, it's a guy, and that makes him hard to shop for. So maybe a small, thoughtful gift and a gift card (of lesser value) would be appropriate? </p>
<p>Let me know what the tradition generally is for these situations!</p>
<p>I have a few more parties coming up in the next few weeks – hosted by friends but mostly not super-close friends like the ones that I got gifts for. Would it be proper to get them cards & something generic like $25 gift cards?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t get them anything. And $25 per person is a lot of money anyway!</p>
<p>*There’s also a third case – a friend sent out very generous monetary gifts & is having a party in about a month. I think that I’m going to try to get him a thoughtful gift, since obviously I’m not just gonna reciprocate with the same amount of money. But again, it’s a guy, and that makes him hard to shop for. So maybe a small, thoughtful gift and a gift card (of lesser value) would be appropriate? *</p>
<p>Don’t get anyone anything. What are the odds that you’ll see them again after high school? I say spend your money on yourself and let your presence be the gift</p>
<p>^Yeah, that’s been my line of thought as well - my presence is enough gift for them. lol. Like, the people with whom I’m really good friends, I’m going to keep seeing them (at least through the summer) anyway, so it feels weird to… give them a gift. I dunno. My friends and I think the same way though, at least, so the non-gifting isn’t awkward. But then with my kinda-good friends, I wouldn’t really consider giving them gifts anyway really, and I’ll never see them again (probably), soooo…</p>
<p>For you, with the “friends but mostly not super-close friends like the ones that I got gifts for” - I say maybe a card and a 20 dollar gift card :] haha. 20 vs 25 makes a difference, imo.</p>
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I think your idea is good. It’s tough when a friend gives you a chunk of money and then you’re supposed to give something back… it’s like, you shouldn’t give them money, because if it’s less it’s like “ooookay?”, if it’s the same it’s like “why did we just trade money?”, and if it’s more it’s, again, like “ooookay??” (lol, or this is my opinion, I guess). The thoughtful gift and giftcard is good. :]</p>
<p>Well, I was thinking a Barnes & Noble gift card for the one friend who gave me money, since he’s going to Hopkins & their bookstore is a Barnes & Noble, so it’d be useful for clothes/textbooks. </p>
<p>And IV, yeah, $20 was what I suggested, & my mom was like “No, $20 isn’t even money. Do $25.”</p>