A call for parents: how much does it cost to prepare to say goodbye to school

How much is spent on the image of a graduate

The full image of a graduate for the Last Call costs the parents of boys about 10.3 thousand rubles this year, and about 13.5 thousand rubles for girls, analysts at the Check Index center of the OFD Platform calculated for Izvestia. This amount includes the purchase of a suit, shirt and boots for boys. For girls, this list includes a dress, shoes and an apron, and beauty salon services. A trip to the atelier will add about 2.8 thousand rubles more to the bill.

The average receipts for all items increased by 3-12% over the year, and the number of purchases increased for dresses and shirts, but decreased for suits, boots, shoes and aprons.

— Many of the graduates prefer a more practical approach to the festive wardrobe, often preferring sneakers to shoes. This partly explains the more restrained demand for festive clothes and shoes," the analysts noted.

At the same time, graduates turn more to the services of ateliers and beauty salons.

Graduates began to choose dresses or blouses with trousers or a skirt rather than the traditional Soviet school uniform with an apron for the Last Call.

"All the girls in our class agreed to come in black or white modern dresses or shirts, no one wanted to wear a Soviet uniform," Maria, a graduate's mother from Moscow, shared with Izvestia. — At the same time, more than half of the girls were wearing sneakers, it's more familiar and more comfortable for them.

This academic year, the Ministry of Education recommended that last calls be held at schools on May 24, and graduation on June 28. However, the school management can independently choose the appropriate date.

What they buy online

Online platforms continue to record a high demand for school uniforms. For example, sales of girls' school uniforms, white aprons and bows increased by 75% year-on-year at Ozon Fashion in the first three weeks of May.

Sales of outfits for young people also show growth: suits — by 63%, shirts — by 57%, boots — by 54%. Sales of award ribbons for graduates have also increased by one and a half times," the marketplace's press service added.

In the coming month, they expect a peak in demand for festive dresses and model shoes for proms scheduled for the end of June.

In April–May, sales of suits at Wildberries increased by 47% year-on-year, shirts — by 40%, ties — by 25%, blouses — by 35%. At the same time, schoolgirls began to abandon bows on the Last Call — their sales increased by only 5% before the holiday, but they bought 41% more golf socks.

"Among the themed products, gift sets for graduates showed the highest dynamics — an increase of 60% was recorded, while gift sets for teachers were bought by only 15% more," the press service added. — The turnover of bells and ribbons of graduates increased by 42% and 49%, respectively.

Also popular were products from the "awards" category — these are various cups, diplomas, which are used to congratulate school graduates.

Over the past month, sales of dresses for the last call have increased by 27% on Avito, and of suits by 24%. Women's and men's shoes and hair accessories were also more often bought there.

How to celebrate

On the eve of the last call, the demand for event management services increased, it was fixed at Avito Services.

— The demand for the decoration of the event hall has increased by 15% compared to last year. To create a festive atmosphere, locations are decorated with voluminous letters and numbers, so the demand for such decorations has increased by 54%, they noted.

The services of decorators, photographers, and professional presenters have become more in demand. The average cost for a photo shoot in May was 4.8 thousand rubles, and for the services of a presenter — 6 thousand rubles, the price may vary depending on the duration of the event.

The demand for florists' services has also increased, according to the platform's data. A bouquet of flowers is a traditional gift to the teacher on the Last call. By the end of May, both classic roses and seasonal flowers are in high demand: lilacs, peonies and hydrangeas, said Alexey Belkin, head of operations at the Flowwow flower and gift marketplace. On average, a bouquet this month will cost 3.7 thousand rubles.

— We noticed that the demand for strawberry bouquets is also growing at the Last Bell — seasonal berries are just ripening at this time. This year, a bouquet of strawberries costs an average of 3.3 thousand rubles, and chocolate—covered strawberries — 2.4 thousand rubles," he said.

According to Alexey Belkin, cupcakes, bento cakes, soft toys and edible bouquets are also popular for this holiday. Sweets are most often given to teachers or ordered for graduation tea parties. And the male teachers choose edible bouquets, where they can add sausages, cheeses and even seafood.

— In 2025, we also forecast high demand for Dubai chocolate. It surpasses in popularity the more familiar macaroons and tea and coffee sets. A bar of this chocolate will cost 1.8 thousand rubles," added the Flowwow representative.

How to prepare a child for graduation

During the period of saying goodbye to school, when the last bell, exams and graduation are taking place, it is important for parents not to increase the already high emotional burden on children, psychologist Natalia Naumova told Izvestia.

— This is not the moment when you need to raise a child, support, understanding, acceptance and help will be more relevant. It is important not to criticize the child, not to shame him by comparing him with others, but to support him," she stressed.

It is important to take breaks in preparation for exams, to give the child a rest.

— It is important to set it up positively. To say that, although school is ending, there are still many interesting things ahead," Natalia Naumova emphasized. — To remind you that even if something doesn't work out the first time, parents still won't stop loving and supporting their child. This is encouraging and relieves the fear that difficulties may arise in the relationship with parents.

If a child is going through this period or his failure in exams, it is important to consult a psychologist, she added.

When choosing a festive image, it is important not to impose adult attitudes on a teenager, but to hear his wishes, added family psychologist Maria Todorova.

— If a child dreams of a really expensive dress or suit and the family has the opportunity, why not? Then it will be an act of love and support, not a status demonstration. And if the possibilities are limited, you need to find a compromise by involving the teenager in this process," she stressed.

The child has the right to participate in decisions concerning his image and holiday, the expert emphasized.