Question on giving presents

[sr71plt]

If you were British I would console you with the observation that worrying over something like this is terribly lower middle class.

Probably because the upper class would have an assistant pick out a present and send it--along with regrets on the party because they planned to be in Cannes that weeked. (And the lower class wouldn't have to worry about graduation parties at all.)

 

[PennLady]

Give nothing - and wallow in the guilt.

But wear something outrageous that everyone can comment on whilst failing to observe your present giving principles.

If you were British I would console you with the observation that worrying over something like this is terribly lower middle class.

I don't have time to wallow. Nor do I have anything outrageous to wear and if I did -- whoa, the Mom-stuff I'd have to endure after that. Whew.

If I was lower middle class, then wouldn't it be appropriate to worry?

 

[Noor]

Go find a nice pen on sale somewhere, or a blank book.

Fisher Space Pen Non-Reflective Military Cap-O-Matic Space Pen Matte Black SM4B is nice and somewhat unusual $12 plus tax at REI.

 

[sr71plt]

Go find a nice pen on sale somewhere, or a blank book.

Fisher Space Pen Non-Reflective Military Cap-O-Matic Space Pen Matte Black SM4B is nice and somewhat unusual $12 plus tax at REI.

If I didn't know you were a regular poster . . .

It would get her off the hook, yes, and perhaps some would like that, but I've got drawers full of pens and blank books I don't use (probably because I can't read my own writing). Guess I've graduated too often . . . because, you're right, that's what has attracted that unused paraphernalia.

I think, though, the original question was gift/no gift, not which gift.

 

[PennLady]

I think, though, the original question was gift/no gift, not which gift.

Yes, that was the question but I think I've answered that ("gift") and so now the question has changed to which gift, which will likely be some kind of gift card.

 

[Emily124]

Yes, that was the question but I think I've answered that ("gift") and so now the question has changed to which gift, which will likely be some kind of gift card.

You could perhaps get more "bang for your buck" if you bought something on LivingSocial or Groupon (or one of those places). Sometimes they have really cool stuff. In the last month, I've bought kickboxing classes and pub crawl tickets. Just a thought. Although, you really can't go wrong with an Amazon gift card. You can buy all of the things at Amazon. Good luck!

 

[Noor]

If I didn't know you were a regular poster . . .

It would get her off the hook, yes, and perhaps some would like that, but I've got drawers full of pens and blank books I don't use (probably because I can't read my own writing). Guess I've graduated too often . . . because, you're right, that's what has attracted that unused paraphernalia.

I think, though, the original question was gift/no gift, not which gift.

If you didn't know, then what?

That is what I do in a case like this, look around the house for unopened pens, blank books, re-gifts.

oh sorry. Yes gift. If you rsvp-ed, there will be food, you are a guest, you want to encourage high school students to graduate,it doesn't matter how distantly related to them you are, once you are going, you bring a gift.

 

[loquere]

Group up with yo relatives and buy him something!

 

[PennLady]

You could perhaps get more "bang for your buck" if you bought something on LivingSocial or Groupon (or one of those places). Sometimes they have really cool stuff. In the last month, I've bought kickboxing classes and pub crawl tickets. Just a thought. Although, you really can't go wrong with an Amazon gift card. You can buy all of the things at Amazon. Good luck!

I don't think I'm the Groupon type. I've read about them, but mostly I just think I don't have the patience for it. Nor would I want to risk the deal falling through on my cousins, as I have read happens sometimes.

oh sorry. Yes gift. If you rsvp-ed, there will be food, you are a guest, you want to encourage high school students to graduate,it doesn't matter how distantly related to them you are, once you are going, you bring a gift.

They're already graduating, that's not a problem. I also don't think food obligates you to bring a gift, as I've said before. If someone wants to throw a party, that's fine, but I'm not obligated to help pay for it or otherwise help them recoup the money. But yes, I will get gifts for both cousins.

 

[Noor]

I don't think I'm the Groupon type. I've read about them, but mostly I just think I don't have the patience for it. Nor would I want to risk the deal falling through on my cousins, as I have read happens sometimes.



They're already graduating, that's not a problem. I also don't think food obligates you to bring a gift, as I've said before. If someone wants to throw a party, that's fine, but I'm not obligated to help pay for it or otherwise help them recoup the money. But yes, I will get gifts for both cousins.

Its part of the ritual, like accepting marriage invites.

 

[PennLady]

Its part of the ritual, like accepting marriage invites.

Some may think so. I've read in many places that wedding invitations do not obligate the guest to bring a gift, although nearly everyone does. Gifts should be given because the giver wants to, not feels obligated. I guess I'm feeling a bit of both, and the obligation is annoying.

 

[Noor]

Some may think so. I've read in many places that wedding invitations do not obligate the guest to bring a gift, although nearly everyone does. Gifts should be given because the giver wants to, not feels obligated. I guess I'm feeling a bit of both, and the obligation is annoying.

Well you aren't obligated to go at all.

A lot of this is cultural even subcultural, within mine a small gift would be appropriate. I usually have something around the house. When I tend to stock up on small things when I find them on sale somewhere, or buy favorite wedding type gifts in bulk. You can also give weird things. I gave one of my friend's kids 1 paintbrush for her second birthday, she liked it.

Remember this event isn't about you and your feelings, it is about your cousins who successfully completed a stage of their lives.

 

[PennLady]

Well you aren't obligated to go at all.

No, I am not obligated but: I want to see my brother, who I have not seen in over a year, and who will be there. (No, I can't see him more often; he's in the Air Force and just moved to Texas.) Also, I do want to see the rest of my family.

I've already said I'll bring gifts for the graduates. I do not have stuff around the house so I will have to go find something and that will likely be gift cards. I have to say I'm also not crazy over the precedent this sets, of giving presents to other cousins as they graduate, again when we cousins have never exchanged anything. But I will do it.

 

[JackLuis]

If you have a printer and some soft ware pull a picture of "Dead Presidents" off the net and fold a piece of 8 1/2 x11 in fourths.
Lay the unfolded paper on the table and in the upper left quadrant, print upside down the picture.
WHile in the lower right quadrant print upright "Welcome to Adulthood,Lester/Frank.

In life you will find your best friends are..."

Under the picture of the dead Presidents print in creative style,
"Dead Presidents!"


Cut a 3/4" X 1" flap piece of the Picture and slip a ten spot under the flap.
For artistic effect you can:
Fold the , hopefully fresh or new bill, so that the picture of Hamilton is exposed and the sides are bi-folded behind the picture. When you look at it with Hamilton's face down, the two "legs" will make "Z's" above the bill. Now refold the one of the sections at an angle so that the edges of the bill make "wings"

The Picture can be just a head shot of Grant, or Cleavland printed large enough to be a flap and hide the picture on the bill.

Print the page fold and insert the bill. An envelope is a good idea.

Feel free to adjust the message.

 

[PennLady]

If you have a printer and some soft ware pull a picture of "Dead Presidents" off the net and fold a piece of 8 1/2 x11 in fourths.
Lay the unfolded paper on the table and in the upper left quadrant, print upside down the picture.
WHile in the lower right quadrant print upright "Welcome to Adulthood,Lester/Frank.

Haha, thanks Jack.

 

[sr71plt]

I wondered how long it would take for Martha Stewart to weigh in here.

 

[JackLuis]

Haha, thanks Jack.

Your welcome.

 

[PennLady]

For anyone who's wondering how this ends, I spoke to my mom today. She said that she and my dad are giving $25 to each graduate and suggested that Mr Penn and I find nice cards and a small gift (picture frame, maybe) for each graduate. So there you go.

 

[Noor]

For anyone who's wondering how this ends, I spoke to my mom today. She said that she and my dad are giving $25 to each graduate and suggested that Mr Penn and I find nice cards and a small gift (picture frame, maybe) for each graduate. So there you go.

sounds perfect.