Graduation parties, at least all the ones I've ever heard of around here are mostly put on to gather money for the grad. Most of the ones I attended had a "college fund" jar sitting out, so if you wanted to slip some cash into that during the party you could...along with hopefully money or gift card filled cards for the student.
I used all my money on stuff for my dorm, and later for my books and it really helped (don't believe I had a jar at my party) ...right now I couldn't name off one actual present I got for graduating...
Nope.
My party was really cool though! I can post photos if anyone wants to see...mine was in early fall, just before I went back to school. It was supposed to be a luau theme, but it pourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrred outside terribly, so we had an impromptu monsoon party. It was great
