Not sure how much cash to give a high school graduate? You’re not alone. While your budget matters, so does your relationship with the grad. Close family often warrants a more generous gift than a casual acquaintance—but how much is too much or too little?
Gift-giving norms have shifted, and it helps to know what’s considered thoughtful vs. awkward. Let’s break down what’s appropriate, what’s common, and what truly makes an impact.
Is cash an appropriate graduation gift?
Absolutely. In fact, most grads prefer it. Cash is practical, universally appreciated, and especially fitting if you’re not closely connected to the student.
Whether it helps fund their summer plans or offsets future school expenses, money is a flexible gift that supports their next chapter.
How much cash should you give a graduate?
The amount depends on two key factors: your relationship with the graduate and your personal budget. To give you a benchmark, here are some data-backed guidelines based on survey insights from the National Retail Federation.
- Acquaintances – We recommend a gift of $25-$50 for students you may not be close with.
- Close friends – A range of $75-$100 is a gift range for close friends. The closer you are with the family, the higher the gift.
- Child’s friend – You have probably grown close with a few of your kids friends over the years. A cash gift of $25-$50 is fair for friends of your children.
- Relatives – A range of $75-$125 is a good gift range for close relatives. If you are not very close then $30-$50 may be more appropriate.
- Babysitters, Dogwalkers, etc. – If you employ a student to do errands, then you definitely want to show them you are proud of them. A good range for employed students is $25-$50.
Before settling on gift amounts, list all the graduates you plan to celebrate. Then, set an overall budget and allocate amounts based on your relationship with each student.
This approach helps you stay thoughtful and financially realistic—without overspending.
Creative ways to give cash to a graduate
A card with cash is classic—but why not make it memorable? Elevate your gift with a fun, personal twist:
- Balloon surprise: Fill balloons with bills for a pop-worthy experience.
- Money origami: Fold cash into creative shapes like hearts or graduation caps.
- Cash cake: Roll up bills and stack them to resemble a tiered cake.
- Memory album: Hide bills throughout a photo book filled with shared memories.
Adding creativity turns a simple cash gift into something the graduate will never forget!
What the data says: Graduation gift trends
A 2025 survey by the National Retail Federation polled 8,225 adults on their graduation gift habits—and the results are clear: cash is the top choice across the board for both high school and college grads.
The study highlights shifting preferences toward practical, flexible gifts that support graduates as they transition into their next chapter.
Total annual spend on graduation gifts
Below is the total amount of money spent on graduation gifts from 2022-2025.
- 2025 total graduation gift spending was $6.8 billion
- 2024 total graduation gift spending was $6.1 billion
- 2023 total graduation gift spending was $6.4 billion
- 2022 total graduation gift spending was $5.8 billion
As long as the economy remains stable, spending on graduation gifts is expected to grow, reflecting both tradition and evolving expectations.
Household spending on graduation gifts
The survey also included data per household. Below are the average graduation gifts given per household that participated in the survey.
- 2025 average household spend on graduation gifts was $119.54
- 2024 average household spend on graduation gifts was $116.97
- 2023 average household spend on graduation gifts was $116.19
- 2022 average household spend on graduation gifts was $114.89
Graduation gifts are meaningful, but they don’t need to break the bank. Focus on giving from the heart—not to impress. At the end of the day, it’s the thought and intention behind the gift that truly matters, not the price tag.
