What is an appropriate amount of money to send for graduation gifts?

It depends on how well I know them and like them. If I barely know them, I’d send $35. If I know them and like them, anywhere from $50 to $100. That’s just me, and that’s based on what I can afford. If you can’t afford that, you have to work within your budget.

If they are not relatives, why send anything at all?

Non-relative, maybe $20, if I’m such a nice guy to do so. $50 for a relative. I like @ragingloli answer…

$50 if you know them well enough to have a conversation with them without their parents around. Do they initiate conversations with you? Have they talked to you about their plans for the summer or next fall?

If not, throw the announcement in the trash.

Yes, I’d say $50.00 is a fair amount, enough to buy something fun but not so little as to be insulting.

I totally agree with @ragingloli, if they aren’t close family I wouldn’t feel obligated to send anything. However, if the person graduating is a friend or someone I have mentored and that I know graduating means a great deal to, I would send a gift. It’s highly unlikely I would send money. I’d prefer to send a gift to mark their achievement. If you aren’t close to the people, I think a card is quite sufficient.

I agree with @jca, completely.
When I read the question, those were the exact figures I had in my head.

When I graduated from high school my brother gave $10 and cab fare across town was fifty cents. Now cab fare across town is $12 so an equivalent gift would be $240. The problem is that my brother had to earn $10.80 to give me $10, and you have to earn almost $500 to give someone $240. What you do is up to you.