Another friend just asked me what I would be giving my son’s boarding school friends as a graduation present. I am embarrassed to say I hadn’t planned to give one. I didn’t know it was a tradition to do so.
We didn’t give our own kid a gift much less anyone else. I didn’t see any gift-giving going on at graduation. There is certainly no expectation of this that I know of.
Isn’t college present enough?
We didn’t give gifts to DS’ friends nor did DS receive any. Frankly, never crossed my mind!
If I were going to do that (i.e., we’re in a place where that was the custom), I might take a photo of the kids together (sports, graduation, etc.) or a nice photo of the school itself and get note cards made by shutterfly or such, figuring they might need to write thank you notes…
No gifts given to our son’s friends for graduation. The boys went on a senior trip together to celebrate graduation.
Me and my friends went on a trip to a lake and hung out there on a boat. We didnt get each other nor did our parents get our friends presents. The company was good enough for us.
Yay! Just the answer I was hoping for. As I said, it hadn’t crossed my mind so I’m glad to hear it is not a tradition. Seems like more consumerism and a way to spend money on things the boys probably won’t use.
One more chiming in to say no gifts to kids’ friends given nor received. It’s not a thing at their school.
We did not give gifts to our children’s friends for graduation. We did invite close friends to a family graduation party at home.
Hell no, They should be giving you a gift.
Update…you were all correct. Thankfully, no gifts were exchanged 
A congratulatory card is appropriate and generally appreciated.