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How much should I give best friend's grandson who is going to be travelling for six months?

(114 Posts)
Betony Mon 23-Feb-26 16:00:09

I'm talking about my best friend's grandson, not my own. However, I'm very fond of this hard working 19-year old, and would like to give him some money for when he goes travelling abroad for six months. Any suggestions on how much I should give? I'm not talking about a fortune here, but an important consideration is not to cause jealousy/resentment from his younger brother, or younger members of my own family. Maybe the whole idea is wrong! Thanks in advance.

Sarahr Tue 24-Feb-26 13:58:47

Give what you want to give. It is none of your grandchildren business whether you choose to give someone a gift. Nor is it any business of the siblings. We choose gifts for the individual, we don't then say that we have to give the same to others.

JENMA Tue 24-Feb-26 13:56:11

I cannot believe how mean most of you are. What a lovely spontaneous thing to do to show a hard-working boy your respect. I think it is lovely and would give £ 50 - £100 if you can afford it. It will make your friend happy too.

ooonana Tue 24-Feb-26 13:51:20

My granddaughter just been on a school trip abroad to play cricket I gave her £20...my grandson away in summer I'll give him the same. Never given money to non-family.

Cossy Tue 24-Feb-26 13:50:40

Stansgran

I have two grandchildren travelling at the moment. Power thingummy and multi lead plug or tracker tags are ideal. Also be very alert to phone calls purporting to be from them asking for money to be sent. I know someone was fooled by AI imitating their relatives voices and sent money twice.

Power banks, great idea.

Harris27 Tue 24-Feb-26 13:50:32

Take no notice if it’s your close friend is dear to you just give what you feel best £50 is a nice reasonable token. Nice if you to think about him

Cossy Tue 24-Feb-26 13:50:04

Travel gift would be great! So much to choose from and you can get most things online if actually going shopping is an issue.

Lovely thought, though!

Juniper1 Tue 24-Feb-26 13:48:54

£100

Norah Tue 24-Feb-26 13:47:37

£100

Diddles Tue 24-Feb-26 13:47:22

Both my sister and I gave a friend's grandson £50 each to go off to University. It was appreciated. If you can afford to give a young person a helping hand then do it.

Stansgran Tue 24-Feb-26 13:46:52

I have two grandchildren travelling at the moment. Power thingummy and multi lead plug or tracker tags are ideal. Also be very alert to phone calls purporting to be from them asking for money to be sent. I know someone was fooled by AI imitating their relatives voices and sent money twice.

Franski Tue 24-Feb-26 13:46:47

I think it's a very lovely gesture. I would do this for friends' grandchildren who i know well. Not that it is many! I think £100 is a good amount ifyou can afford it. Enough to be useful but not OTT.

Deepat Tue 24-Feb-26 13:46:40

Exactly

Fartooold Tue 24-Feb-26 13:46:25

I gave a good friend’s daughter £100 to go travelling on her gap year! Really enjoyed hearing about her escapades!

Deepat Tue 24-Feb-26 13:45:46

M0nica

What does it matter whether it has never occurred to other posters to do this. I expect all of us at some time or another do something that it would never occur to anyone else to do.

The OP wants to give this lad, whom she knows well and likes, a little booster to help him on his way. What a lovely idea.

I would give him £100, large enough to be appreciated, not to large to put a burden of gratitude on his shoulders.

I agree, I can't believe the negative remarks on this thread.

sandye Tue 24-Feb-26 13:42:10

How nice, I would give 30ish, and not tell anyone. I always try to treat my friends, grandchildren when I see her.

Tuliptree Tue 24-Feb-26 10:38:55

Depending on individual circumstances, you could have a close relationship with your best friends grandson. Much more maybe than an actual grandchild. The advice on here to have a word with your friend is sound. As for upsetting others, well only you know if they are the sort of people to be upset and whether that’s a good enough reason not to do it or a good life lesson in generosity for them to learn.

petra Tue 24-Feb-26 10:30:23

mae13

If he's somebody elses's relative........let them provide.

The OP isn’t providing anything. The money is a gift.

mae13 Tue 24-Feb-26 10:14:10

If he's somebody elses's relative........let them provide.

MT62 Tue 24-Feb-26 10:09:16

BlueBelle

*I would just get him some Euros- what ever you can afford, price of a meal*
Not much point if he’s travelling in Asia as most young people do 🤣🤣🤣

Sorry Bluebell, poster didn’t say where he was travelling to.
Yes currency of that particular country then.
When I visited Turkey, I took lira, people there wanted Euros 😳

MT62 Tue 24-Feb-26 10:00:02

Allira

Well, I'll stick to my original suggestion of a travel wallet which can be concealed beneath his clothes.
You could put in some currency as a surprise, however much you can afford or want to give.

Good idea Allia, money wallet. Yes some currency & a silver coin for good luck 🍀

Fleur20 Tue 24-Feb-26 09:45:37

I would avoid buying him anything.. young people travelling these days travel light and use particular gear of which there is an abundance of choice. So what you and I would pack would be of no use/interest to them.
So no wallets, luggage labels, bum bags etc... they would all be left at home.
I am sure money would be appreciated, but as previous posters have said, beware of setting precedents!

Cabbie21 Tue 24-Feb-26 07:10:03

Around £130 according to AI.

Cabbie21 Tue 24-Feb-26 07:07:10

I’ve just remembered that a friend of my parents gave me £5 when I went away to university. I thought it was extremely generous. Mind you, that was in 1964. What would that be worth today?

BlueBelle Tue 24-Feb-26 05:10:31

I would just get him some Euros- what ever you can afford, price of a meal
Not much point if he’s travelling in Asia as most young people do 🤣🤣🤣

TheSunRisesInTheEast Tue 24-Feb-26 02:50:33

It's very kind of you to want to give something, Betony.

I think £50 would be generous and most welcome. I wouldn't waste money on a gift. In my experience they either don't need it, don't like it, or want something like it but not that one!!