<p>I’ve been invited to an Eagle Scout ceremony later this month for an 18-yr-old frind of the family. Is it approriate to bring a gift? And if so, any suggestions?</p>
<p>Here in Florida we do not give gifts. The scout appreciates your support by being there.</p>
<p>In our troop you probably would not give a gift unless you were a close family friend, a mentor of the scout’s or a family member. And you wouldn’t bring it to the ceremony; you’d give it to the scout at his home. I can imagine that this might be different in other areas or troops.</p>
<p>Just attending is enough.</p>
<p>BTW, my son is an Eagle scout. When we invited people to the ceremony it was for our son to feel supported and NOT as a way of asking for gifts. Really, it’s ok to just attend.</p>
<p>Here in the Northeast gifts are usually given. Giftcards, itune cards etc are the norm.</p>
<p>We went to my son’s friend’s eagle scout ceremony a couple of years ago and if I remember correctly, gave a card with a little cash.</p>
<p>S had his Eagle Scout ceremony last spring. We live in Boston area. Close friends and family gave him gifts others just gave him a card. Gifts ranged from swiss army knifes to Eagle memorabilia to normal teen age stuff like itunes GC’s. Truly, he was not looking for anyone to give him a gift, I think the cards with a nice congraulatory note was appreciated just as much as any gift.</p>
<p>At our Eagle ceremonies, there is usually a basket for cards (if you bring one). What’s in the cards or not in the card is up to the giver. I went to an Eagle ceremony last year and put a little cash in the card for the Eagle. Went to one for several eagles last week and didn’t do a card at all. Presents are not expected. </p>
<p>My S earned his Eagle rank last year and we are having his COH just before he leave for UPenn. We will put out a basket for cards but he won’t expect gifts. As someone else said, just your presence is gift enough.</p>
<p>I attended an Eagle Scout ceremony last year. I gave a card (with a gift card), but I fell like it would have been fine to not do so.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice. I haven’t been to a ceremony of this sort before and wasn’t sure what to do. Congrats to all those with Eagle scouts, it’s quite a commitment and something to be proud of.</p>
<p>Mom of an Eagle here too. S had a double-ceremony with his buddy. So there were quite a few people there since there were two scouts involved. I’d estimate about half the people attending did bring a small gift (along the same lines as others mentioned) and another 25% probably did write a nice note/card. However, while these were very appreciated, the day is so special on its own merits that a gift is not expected AT ALL. It should be noted that most of the attendees were family members and close friends. Most of the boys’ peers didn’t bring a gift or card. Just the fact that they gave up an afternoon on a beautiful Sunday to be there was more than enough…</p>
<p>In my sons’ troop, gifts are not given to the new Eagle Scout. Perhaps family and non-scout friends give gifts but we have not given any gifts.</p>
<p>When my S became an eagle, he had a double-ceremony with another boy as well. The folks we invited generally gave a card, often with a small amount of cash. The families in the troop only gave a card (with or w/o gc or cash) if they knew the boys well. Every eagle ceremony I attended, I generally knew the boys pretty well & generally gave a small gift (e.g. t-shirt, book and/or cash with congratulatory note).</p>
<p>Our receptions generally involved a full buffet dinner for all guests following the ceremony. The receptions were mostly held at the church where the boys met regularly, in the lanai.</p>
<p>We recently attended an Eagle Scout ceremony. We brought a gift card to the school bookstore the young man is attending. He didn’t have a graduation party and I thought it was appropriate to take a gift as he is one of D’s good friends. He was delighted. I think one or 2 others brought gifts but it wasn’t the norm. We thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony, with 2 D’s this is the first we had attended. Congrats to all The Eagle Scouts and their families… a great achievement
.</p>
<p>I am often the community contact for Eagle Scout projects so over the years I have been to many ceremonies. A card is appropriate, a gift is not expected.</p>
<p>I am another Mom of an Eagle Scout. At our son’s party he got gifts from just about all the adults, but hardly any of the kids. The gifts were mostly small, like gift cards for the movies. This subject has been brought up a couple of times on this board and just like this thread, the answer seems to be that you can give a gift or not, but it’s not expected. If you want to give one, the local Boy Scout shop should have small things that would be unique and not expensive.</p>