Last night, my friend called me and left me a voicemail inviting me to her graduation party tonight.
Should I bring a gift to the party? If so, what would be appropriate?
I never had a graduation party for myself so I don't know if I'm expected to bring an envelope with money in it or what. This is one of my close friends, and not the type of person who would care if I bring a gift or not, but I want to do the right thing. I don't want to be the only one who shows up without a present, you know? But I don't want to be the only one who shows up with a present, either.
2007-06-07 02:26:41 · 9 answers · asked by doxiefever 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
She is a close friend, you say? Try drawing on some memories you have with her to get her something that will, at a glance, remind her of you.
But I must say the short notice of the invitation is going to make coming up with an extremely thoughtful gift kind of difficult.
Do you have a checking account? What I have been doing for the past few years is writing a check for the amount of the graduation year, i.e.; this year's checks are $20.07, next year they will be $20.08. If nothing else it will make your check stand out from the others!
Depending what your budget is maybe you could give her the check (or a money order) and get a book she can read over the summer, or a non-fiction book on some subject you know she is passionate about.
Whatever you do, be sure to take a gift of some sort. She may not care if you bring a gift or not but you will care if, as you say, you are the only one who doesn't!!
2007-06-07 02:43:55 · answer #1 · answered by the only jag 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
High school or college? I assume college and if she is a friend you are close to the same age. If you were much older money would be fine but otherwise it is not appropriate.
She called you at the last minute? Well nobody expects you to find the perfect gift at such short notice. So if you don't have one it's really not a big deal as others won't have one. And on that note you can always give one later. Its last minute right? You joining in the celebration is gift enough at this point...... gatherings are about people not gifts.
A good socially acceptable gift for any occasion is a bottle or two of wine in a wine bag. Put in some tissue and put a ribbon on it so its not like you stopped at 7-11. And insert a card to her.
2007-06-07 05:20:01 · answer #2 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, she probably should have sent you an invitation and in more advance than just the very day of the party! That was a blunder on her part. But if she is a friend of around the same age as you, then money is probably not the gift you should give. You could get her a knicknack type of gift that you think she may like and a card, that should be appropriate enough.
2007-06-07 02:55:24 · answer #3 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This party does not sound like a formal occassion, otherwise you would have recieved a written invitation. To be sure, though, check with others that are attending and ask them if they are taking a gift and follow their course. If you cannot judge by this, I would not take a gift as such, but perhaps bring a bottle of good wine - at least then you will not arrive empty handed.
2007-06-07 02:33:51 · answer #4 · answered by square_dotzz 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Agree with Sharvi.
Flowers. They work every time. This was a last minute invitation - don't worry about it.
2007-06-07 07:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is an avid reader u can always gift her a good book....if not so a bouquet and a small card always work
2007-06-07 02:38:58 · answer #6 · answered by Sharvi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't give any of my friends money for graduation, but I would for a wedding.
2007-06-07 02:34:24 · answer #7 · answered by sarah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, why the short notice?
I would give a nice card.
2007-06-07 07:13:53 · answer #8 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fresh flowers & a card would be nice.
2007-06-07 07:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by ebonyruffles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋