Registering for Graduation Gifts

[spiderspray]

The Divorce party thread reminded me of a news story I saw the other night (slow news day, I guess).

High school grads are setting up registries to stock their new apartments/ dorm rooms.

Weird, or meh?

I got all cash for high school grad, so I could've just used the cash for the things I needed. Also, dorm rooms are about as big as a walk-in closet. How much crap are you planning to put in there?

I think registering for baby or wedding makes sense - otherwise people will be inclined to pick out things for you that don't match your style or needs, and you'll just wind up returning/ donating most of it.

But are people really trying to pick bedding sets or Solo cup colors for high school grads, hence the need to register?

What say you?

[Deleted]

weird... cash is king for graduation gifts, why set up a registry so people might think it is okay to give anything but cash

[Deleted]

Weird.

[libbride]

Weird. I don't think I have ever given anything buy cash for a graduation.

[spiderspray]

May 18, 2012 12:06:31 GMT -5 v said:

I'm okay with it. I always would rather give someone a real gift rather than cash, and that way I would know that I was getting something they actually wanted and needed.

But what could you possibly register for?

(1) plastic trash can
(1) set of twin sheets
(12) boxes of condoms
(1) set of shower shoes

I guess I was maybe too minimalist going into college, but I certainly didn't need enough crap to fill a registry.

[Deleted]

I think it's a bit odd for high school graduation, especially if you're going to live in the dorm afterward. But I'm the odd man out who thinks it should be a-ok for college or grad/professional school graduation.

Why is it not tacky for a 32-year-old woman who's been living on her own for 10 years to register for upgraded cookware and linens but a 22-year-old who registers to set up her first post-college apartment is considered tacky?

I think a fair criticism is that weddings usually involve a big party where guests get food and drink while graduation may not, but I don't see why one life milestone is inherently more deserving of gifts than the other.

[Awkward]

I kind of wish this was more popular. My family (for whatever reason, and I wish it were different) gives more physical gifts than cash for all occasions. I don't think I got more than $100 cash for high school or college graduation, but I did get some handy storage boxes, towels (not my taste, but I'll take em), an expensive purse, extra long sheets (even though my school didn't use extra long beds), a desk lamp. I wish it would have been acceptable to say upfront that I didn't need extra long sheets and I can't keep white towels clean.

[rikki]

My cousin was recently invited to her classmate's 10th birthday. The classmate included a card in the invitation that mentioned she was registered at Target.

[Deleted]

I'd like to think the graduation $$ I give is going towards college books/tuition/laptop Not towards a garbage can.

[spiderspray]

May 18, 2012 12:36:36 GMT -5 rikki said:

My cousin was recently invited to her classmate's 10th birthday. The classmate included a card in the invitation that mentioned she was registered at Target.

You win. Wow.

[80sjunkie]

I never lived in a dorm so I definitely needed a lot of stuff.

[fashionx]

I think it's weird. I've always given cash for graduations, and received it as well.

[noodleoo]

I think instead of all these new stupid registries, we should just forgo gift giving altogether. That way people can just spend their own money on all the crap they think they "need".

[milkrations]

I think it depends on each person's family and friends. H's family does a gift exchange for the holidays and since some of the extended family doesn't know each other very well, gift giving has devolved into asking other people for 'wish lists' and buying directly from that list. There used to be a great deal of pressure to get your request list to whomever is giving you a gift this year. Many people have now set up lists through Amazon that we keep updated during the year. The majority loves the convenience of this so much that any gift-giving occasion is unofficially supposed to be accompanied by a 'wish list' from the recipient.

I kind of hate it and would never use it in any other context, but it works for H's side of the family. If there was anyone who was college-bound age, I'm sure there would be a registry to accompany it and none of the family members would bat an eye.

[h]

I think registering for anything other than a wedding or a first child is tacky. That said, back when I was graduating, my parents' social circle did all gifts and no money for graduation. Typical gifts included practical dorm room items like shower caddies, coffee pots, microwaves, flashlights, jewelry and shoe organizers, etc. and a lot of towels, laundry bags, robes, and fleece throws (always monogrammed in the graduate's school colors).