Our nephew is about to "graduate" from 8th grade and a party is being planned. What are appropriate gifts fro the occasion? The area where I grew up, we didn't celebrate the 8th grade "graduation" - it was just another year of school that was done, so this is new to me. He is the first of his generation to finish jr. high, so whatever we do for him sets the standard for what we will have to do for the next several years. We have budgeted $50 for his gift, (thinking we would spend $100 or more when he graduates from high school). What gifts have you bought or your children received for an 8th grade graduation?
I would take him out to a simple dinner like pizza and then give him a card with $25.
It's 8th grade, and changing schools, not actually graduating.
Just keep it small and simple, if he's a good boy he will appreciate anything that he gets!
My SD is receiving a cute stuffed animal from Scentsy, and a coworker is giving her daughter a Scentsy plug-in for her room. For a boy, I would probably just do a card with a $20 bill. My school made a big deal about 8th grade promotion, but my mom didn't give me anything but a hug and a congrats on making it through another year with good grades. In my opinion, that's enough.
I would keep it simple. It's 8th grade, not high school or college. I used to teach 8th grade at a Catholic school, and 8th grade graduation was a huge deal. Some of the parents actually rented limos for the kids to ride around in and celebrate. I just wondered what they did for the bigger graduations in the future.
When I graduated 8th grade, my grandmother bought me a savings bond that I cashed in when I was in college. My sister gave me a pair of statues-she was my confirmation sponsor also.
I'd get him a summer reading book or books. You don't want to rival his high school grad gift, regardless of the fact that he's having a party.
So think about what you want to spend on high school graduation. And make sure it's less.
Dawn
While it's definitely a developmental turning point... getting through middle school isn't a massive accomplishment like graduating from HS or college. I would suggest a $25 gift card or a check in that amount. If you were planning on $50 go for it, but no need to spend more than that!
We never celebrated that with our kids or any of our nieces or nephews. I don't know what I would do. I suppose a card and a gift card, maybe itunes but I wouldn't spend $50.
My daughter is graduating from college in three weeks, we gave her a plane ticket to Germany to visit her friend plus we paid for her college education. I think I'm covered! :) We are having a big blow out party. Yay, Mommy gets a raise!!!!
I think this is something you need to think about in regards to your nephew, is he graduating by a hair? or is he a good student? Is he responsible? Has he been able to accomplish any milestones? For me it would depend on that. My oldest son will be graduating this year as well from 8th grade, he is very responsible and is in the Jr. National Honor's Society, and made 2nd Honor Roll (which he is not happy about because he wanted to make 1st), but I see how hard he tries, so I am very proud of him. I'm thinking of getting him a drum set (which he really wants) so he can learn how to play the drums. But I think for me it depends how hard they try and my budget :)
I don't think $50 is too much if you can afford it. Find out what stores he likes to buy from and get it from that store. If he likes Old Navy, JC Penny, etc. you can do that or do two different things: $25 in a bond, and $25 on a gift card. It's all up to you :) At this age they are very versatile!
Blessings
Why would you spend money for accomplishing another year of school? Stupid. Sorry, but if you do anything do card, or a hug when you go to the party. Or give him a savings bond for his future college.
I have a 7th grader and I emailed our school district superintendent and asked him to do away with the stupid 8th grade promotion as it was a waste of time and money. EVERY kid goes on to 9th grade, it's not like we are in the 1800's where most kids never finished 8th grade, we are in the year 2012 and you can't quit school at age 14, duh.
Sorry for my rant, but just burns my britches as Stinky Pete says.
"First of his gneration to finish Jr. High School?" This means because the others just went on to graduate high school and go one to college???
If you have budgeted $50, give him $25.00 cash and a $25.00 savings bond in his name and yours, that can't be cashed until full maturity. Teach him the value of saving and furthering his education.
I went to a Jr. High (7th - 9th Grade), then High School. I got a new dress and shoes (my first heels) to match the color of my dress, and a trip to get my hair done at the beauty school. My sister made my dress and it was pretty! I think we had a cake and ice cream after.
Blessings...
This is very much a regional thing. In the Chicago area, 8th grade graduations are a very big deal. All of my relatives a d friends had 8th grade graduation parties when I was growing up and most kids do today as well. Cash is most welcomed by kids of this age but a gift card or savings bond wound be good instead. And $50 is a decent amount. I know it's hard for people to understand this tradition of 8th grade graduations but it really is a tradition in the Chicago area.
