Graduation Party Gift Etiquette

[Blackmagic71]

A question for the wisest of MCB members:

A former co-worker of mine whom I got along well with and stayed in contact with even after we both went to work for different companies has recently gotten her Masters degree.

She is having a celebration and invited my wife and I.

Would normal protocol be to bring a gift of some sort, and would booze (wine, or scotch, or something, maybe in the $75ish ballpark) be a socially acceptable gift?

[Toestr]

According to the film The Graduate (1967) an appropriate graduation gift would be a set of scuba gear.

[Twisted G]

Acid or shrooms. Probably biased because I had such an amazing shroom and mdma trip last saturday. Had one of the most beautiful experiences listening to my vinyl of Umma Gumma. Followed it up with watching the grateful dead movie, then a 1982 zztop concert, and finished off the night watching woodstock 69 footage. .

Actually I did watch one other thing before the dead movie. XD

[Siress]

'merica.

[BrickHaus]

I dont think theres a normal protocol for masters degrees. This isnt a high school graduation situation. Honestly Id say bringing a dish to the party and being there to celebrate is probably enough for this situation, but gifting is likely to be well received.

Id also say $75-$100 is an acceptable valuation if you do decide to gift.


Now, Id try to gift something personable if possible. You obviously got along at work, any oddball item, or food you could get her that would be an awesome call back to the days of old? Maybe get her something related to her current field of expertise? A succulent for her big desk? I'd say hone in what made you friends in the first place.

Twistedg.... Ehh, given her masters, I doubt psychedelics are her thing.

[Jonnydread]

I dunno man, I know quite a few doctoral-levels folks who enjoy the nether realm. That said unless she's a well known Traveler I'd steer clear of anything potentially illicit/awkward.

I say get her a sweet Lego set, I gift adults Lego stuff all the time and it always goes over well.

[dkv23]

I’m with Jonny on this one I had a friend from college who tried mdma and then decided I like this, she then went and got PhD in neuroscience to understand why.

[Twisted G]

Jonnydread Everyone has to have a first time. Like a skateboarder bout to drop into a bowl for the first time. Either you accept you might get hurt or decide its not worth the risk and go home. Totally agree with what you said though. Still I think nothing is better though for a college grad. You need to get that big ego taken down a few notches before you finally enter the real world. That and college and its environment these days teaches a lot of BS that needs to be challenged. .

dkv23 Yep. Sometimes you need a entire perspective shift to find out what you really should be doing with your life. .

[Tarsun2]

i agree with Brick.
not expected but deff appreciated.
something other than $ in this situation.

something small, something personal/useful. not a gag gift or a novelty item.

a small easy to maintain plant is a solid choice.
Artic or yeti coffee mug. wide base, hard to knock over, insulated to keep coffee hot, dishwasher safe and wont break if you drop it.


i think the alcohol is fitting as there is definite need for stress relief. (im also a big fan of the sauce). this is assuming she actually drinks.
personal alcohol gift would be her drink of choice.
classy alcohol gift would be a bottle of wine. (would most likely be opened up at the party as well.

what did she get her masters in?

[shooter311]

So it was my understanding that graduation gifts were only for High School, and close family would gift for Bachelorettes degrees. I didn't think there was any gifts for post grad degrees.

With that said, giving something to aid in a celebration is where I would go, bottle of liqour, wine, champagne, etc.

[maggot]

Totally agree. I like the idea of bringing a bottle, but instead of gifting it I'd open it right as I walked in and "uplift" the party a hair.

[shooter311]

Yes, exactly what I would expect!

[TouchofGrey]

Perhaps a gift basket with a few bottles of wine and include a gift certificate to a restaurant near where they live and maybe a couple of movie passes.

[Brandon]

Usually, I go with a nice pen, something a bit custom. It can be used every day and used in their chosen profession.
Home | Karas Pen Co. (karaskustoms.com)
Tactile Turn - It just feels right.

[Redragoon]

The alcohol and pen are both good options.
I'd also suggest a nice desk display item.

[Siress]

Number of times I've reached for a pen in the past year: ~10.
Number of times I've wished I had a glass of wine in the past year: ~365.
I'd go with the bottle of wine

[Tarsun2]

it IS a little cliché, yeah. but in this case, its not reallllllly a gift "for" the person.
its more like; acknowledging an achievement. its not like a Christmas gift or a birthday gift.

in this case, anything would really suffice; its just an acknowledgement of the work they put in and support for their future. showing up to the party would even be fine...

something small like a pen, desk topper, or drink (moderately priced so get blue label outta your head) is just something a little above and beyond.


its kind of like a wake. you dont go there for the person in the coffin; you go there for support and to pay your respects. the act of showing up is all thats expected.
with this, showing up would be fine but since its a calibration, a gift would be a nice touch.

[Tschema]

A small house plant and a bottle of nice wine should suffice.