The short answer is that it depends. While it’s not required to bring a gift to a graduation party, etiquette recommends that all attendees bring a card and/or small gift.
When deciding whether to bring a present, you should factor in how close you are to the graduate, how large the party will be, and how many parties you will be attending. Close friends, adults, and relatives should always bring a gift, while acquaintances can opt for a nice card with a personalized message. If you have accepted invitations to many graduation parties, you should prioritize buying gifts for your close friends and family.
Regardless of expectations, graduation parties celebrate an important milestone in a person’s life. Thoughtful gifts are a way to recognize the hard work of the graduate, and to show confidence in where they are headed. Gifts can be relatively small and inexpensive, as it is more important to gift something with meaning to the graduate.
One such example is the Kente stole, which incorporates both personal and shared history for a deeply intimate significance that will honor the graduate’s past and future. These stoles can be personalized for each graduate, making for a truly unique gift.
The most important thing is to make the graduate feel surrounded by encouragement and appreciation as they step into the future. Personalized cards and gifts will go a long way toward expressing this intention, and will always be welcomed.
