Should I accept really generous college graduation gift?

starbright
Sat, 01 May 2010 21:27:59 +0000

I also vote for go go go. It’s a kind gift, accept it graciously, and enjoy yourself. You have both been through a lot, and this seems like a particular momentous occasion to do something special.

Don’t make it into a big deal nor let others turn it into one. While it may seem like a big cost to you and your family, for many it is simply the cost of airfare, and that is not at all an unusual or inappropriately large gift in any way. We’ve bought trips for our kids’ friends (just because), we’ve lent our ski cabin to friends, others have let us use their sailboat. There were no strings - it was just fun for us to get to do that, and there wasn’t some kind of expectation of return. To read some kind of obligations or strings into it would seem inappropriate and unfair. Simply accept it for what it is- a nice gift- and enjoy it.