Among Friends

[dex]

@dancingwoman If you feel the need to send a gift to the grad that you don’t know well I like another posters idea...how about 20.18 for the year of graduation.

[Starpolisher]

@Winkk

I guess I'm the odd man out here. When my two sons graduated from college in 2005, I did send out announcements. I also sent them when they graduated from high school. For high school I sent along the information/invites for a party. For college, we didn't have a party. Close family members received tickets to the actual ceremonies, as those were limited, not everyone got one. I don't see anything wrong with sending announcements to close friends, family and even friends that you only occasionally keep in touch with. After all, you're proud of your graduate's accomplishments and want to let everyone know! When I receive  any kind of announcement/invitation, it's up to me whether or not I send a gift. I only see it as a gift grab when I receive announcements/ invites from those that I don't really kept in touch with or have a real relationship with. Even then, I usually send a card. If I receive an announcement and there's no invite, from someone I care about, I send a card and a gift. If people want to send a gift that's fine. If not, that's okay too. I don't understand the idea that you have to send something. For me, it depends on my personal relationship and feelings towards the individual.

Congratulations to you and your grandson!👏🎉🎓

[sunshine45]

we did not send out graduation announcements for our kids when they were graduatiing from high school. we also did not send out graduation announcements for college.

we have sent out graduation party invitations. we always also celebrated with a family dinner out at a special place. i have one graduating next month.

during "my time" i did not send out announcements either.

[chrystaltree]

I never thought of it but I don't think people do that anymore.  Everyone is connected on social media now and that's where people make announcments and share news.  If the graduate is someone you are close to, someone in your circle; you know he or she is graduating.  If you aren't close to the graduate, it will probably be seen as a gift grab.  Which in your case, it is.  A graduation party is a PARTY.  It's celebration, it's personal.  The hosts provide food and drinks and cake and people talk and dance and get to personally congratulate the graduate.  It's an event.  And...yes....they give a gift to graduate.  

[beach-mom]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

When our daughter graduated from high school, 2007, you could buy announcements from the school if you wanted them.

We did not, IMO, it was like looking for a gift.

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THIS. At our large high school, only the parents are guaranteed tickets. The siblings "might" be able to get one if someone sells. 

When DS graduated 4 years ago we had a party for him. Some people brought gifts; some didn't. The party was mostly for friends, although a few adults (family friends) came by. 

We didn't send announcements when DD graduated a few years before either. Our family and close friends knew she was graduating. I didn't think there was any need to send anything to friends we've had since we were first married, don't live near here, and don't know her! We didn't send college announcements either. She had no party. She and one of her friends took off on a trip to Disney! DS will graduate next year. I don't think he'll want a party either.

My best friend's son is graduating college. Whether or not we get an announcement we will give him a gift ( a check). We went to his high school graduation party. I think she said he does want a party this time too, but then they are more "party peaple" than we are! 

[Kitlynn]

We get graduation announcements every year. I think the only thing that has changed with them is that a lot of the schools are so large that they give each student so many tickets and they can actually only invite that many people to attend.

[mac116]

We haven't received any formal announcements in years.  We do however get Open House/Party invitations.  They are done with pictures of the graduate, often including a baby picture, sports or extra-curricular pictures, etc. The details of the party are also included on the front or back.  They remind me of some of the Christmas cards that we get from people that use Shutterfly or Costco.

[RedTop]

Here in southern WV, our local high school seniors are still offered a graduation package at the time they order their cap and gown.   This includes announcements, name cards, special jewelry, key chains, mugs, picture frames, T-shirt’s, etc.   

My husbands nephew graduated last year, and while there was no graduation announcement or senior picture, he didn’t even order a cap and gown- -he borrowed one!   When asked why, his response was that his parents didn’t give him money to buy what he needed!   My husband was ready to kick ****** over that, but we still gifted cash.   Those graduation announcements have to be addressed by someone, and it’s rarely the graduate.   

Thankfully we only have one niece left to graduate next year, and I’m sure the same parents mentioned above with come up with all the money she needs for the many things she will want to purchase in her graduation package.    Favoritism is a very strong trait in my husbands family.    

@qualitygal, to attend graduations here, you must have an actual ticket, for entry into the facility.   Both of my daughters received 8 tickets which did not allow all of their grandparents to attend.   

[Newgate]

I feel graduation announcements are just fine.  But I think they should only be sent to close relatives, like grandma and grandpa, aunts and uncles that do know and love and see your children often!  But my dh and I feel they should not be sent to great uncles and aunts.  Great uncles and aunts have been through that with their actual nieces and nephews and now each of them may have 2, 3,4 or more children of their own graduating which makes for too many announcements received!  That is too much for them to handle anymore because usually they are in retirement years! 

Most people feel they must send a gift of some kind when a graduation announcement is received!

Just our own personal feelings about it!

[Mz iMac]

My GS is graduating & like others here no announcements.  Tickets are very limited.  DD had to beg for 2 extra tickets.  I asked my daughter if there was going to be a party.  She asked why? Everyone will be coming from out of state.

SIL sisters & nieces will not be attending the graduation-no tickets.   Graduation will be held inside a football stadium.  After the graduation ceremoney, the immediate family, grandparents on both sides & cousins will have dinner at a "fancy restaurant"<---- DD words.

I do not believe my GS had any say in the above.  He's just going w/the flow.