# Etiquette Question: Law School Graduation Reception - Gift or No Gift? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2001, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883 "2001-05-09T15:55:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![H8\_2\_W8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c77e96/32.png) [@H8\_2\_W8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H8_2_W8)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/1 "2001-05-09T15:55:59Z")
We were invited to a reception (not the graduation ceremony) at their house of a friend who’s just finished his part-time law school program (~5 years). It is on Mother’s Day, so we cannot attend, but I wondering if a gift is necessary or will a congrats card suffice. It seems like most college graduation gifts are of cash, but these people are married, with a child, own their own home and are not exactly “starting out.” Plus, it would seem to be a little weird to give cash to friends. On the other hand, I don’t want to snub them by not giving a gift of some sort if that’s what is dictated. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ce73a5/32.png) [@Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/2 "2001-05-09T16:07:09Z")
[This is on it’s way to IMHO I’m sure, but in the meantime…] How about a gift certificate to a dinner somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/3 "2001-05-09T16:07:47Z")
How about a bottle of champagne? It’s festive but informal, and you didn’t come empty-handed. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/4 "2001-05-09T16:11:59Z")
Whoops, sorry – I skimmed too fast and didn’t grok that you weren’t attending. But I like **Gazoo’s** suggestion too. ---
**Author:** ![H8\_2\_W8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c77e96/32.png) [@H8\_2\_W8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/H8_2_W8)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/5 "2001-05-09T17:49:10Z")
before I get booted elsewhere. Applying the rules of etiquette, am I on the hook for a gift of some sort because I’ve been invited to this reception? If I don’t go, is a gift required? We’ll send a card of congrats because we’re old friends (see 'em a couple times a year) but I don’t want to get a gift if it isn’t called for. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/6 "2001-05-09T18:03:20Z")
[http://lawshop.safeshopper.com/11/21.htm?968](http://lawshop.safeshopper.com/11/21.htm?968) [http://www.e-corporategifts.com/legal\_gifts.html](http://www.e-corporategifts.com/legal_gifts.html) [http://www.shop.askthelawyers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store\_Code=AS&Category\_Code=Legal](http://www.shop.askthelawyers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AS&Category_Code=Legal) > **[For Counsel,Inc. Products & gifts for Lawyers and other professionals](https://forcounsel.com/shop)** > > For Counsel, Inc. provides products and gifts for Lawyers and other professionals! A family owned business that ensures all your personal needs are fulfilled. Quality gifts including Scales of Justice, Medical Caduceus and that hard to find gift for... [http://www.bethstreasures.com/lawyers.htm](http://www.bethstreasures.com/lawyers.htm) [http://www.niagaracastings.com/lawyers.htm](http://www.niagaracastings.com/lawyers.htm) [http://www.lexislegal.com/aus/personal/carbolic/carbolic.asp](http://www.lexislegal.com/aus/personal/carbolic/carbolic.asp) (See also the lists at the right hand side) That should get you started. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/7 "2001-05-09T18:08:35Z")
Yes, you should get a gift _especially_ if you’re old friends. Don’t go overboard though. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/8 "2001-05-09T18:20:30Z")
Etiquette-wise, a gift is never _required_ – except at a very few types of party at which the gift-opening is part of the celebration (a shower or a child’s birthday party). However, there are occasions when a gift is _traditional_. IMHO, the law school graduation of a close friend is certainly one of these. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2001, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-question-law-school-graduation-reception-gift-or-no-gift/64883/9 "2001-05-09T19:57:18Z")
Hey, nothing like a nice [Powdered Wig](http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/heyman/wigs.html) to get things going !!! Or, perhaps a nice [Industrial Strength Cappuccino Maker](http://www.hotncold.com/webpages/NuovaMasterCapp.htm), capable of churning out 180 cups an hour of top grade java! Impress those new clients!! Energize your clerks ! 😉 Can’t go wrong with a nice set of furniture for his office by famed Italian maker [Pasquale Natuzzi](http://www.leatherdiscounters.com/aboutnatuzzi.html), ya know? Just some thoughts. Heck, you could settle for a sincere card with a hand-wrought note inside and a year’s supply of “Fica of the Month” office plants. Cartooniverse