* Your relationship to the graduate: Are they a close family member, a friend's child, a neighbor? Closer relationships warrant larger gifts.
* Your financial situation: Be realistic about what you can comfortably afford without straining your budget. Don't feel pressured to give more than you can manage.
* Your overall open house budget: Consider dividing your total open house gift budget by 20 to get an average amount per graduate.
* The average gift at the open houses: If you're attending many open houses and most people are giving smaller amounts, you might feel comfortable doing the same. If the gifts are generally larger, you might want to aim higher.
Possible Approaches:
* Low-end (for acquaintances or distant relatives): $20-$50 per graduate. This allows you to attend multiple open houses without significant financial burden.
* Mid-range (for friends, close relatives): $50-$100 per graduate. This shows you care without breaking the bank.
* High-end (for immediate family): $100+ per graduate. This signifies a significant celebration of their accomplishment.
Consider alternatives:
* Group gift: Instead of giving individual gifts to each graduate, you could pool resources with other attendees to give one larger gift per family.
* Non-monetary gifts: A thoughtful card, a small gift related to their future plans (e.g., a nice pen for college), or a gift certificate to a local store or restaurant can also be appreciated.
Ultimately, the best amount is something you feel comfortable giving that reflects your relationship with the graduate. Focus on the gesture of support and celebrating their achievement, rather than the monetary value of the gift.