Graduation Announcements, Invitations, and Parties

Graduation announcements, while not originally viewed as a request for gifts, unfortunately have become associated in recent years with forced gift-giving. Graduation announcements should not be distributed to people other than close friends and family members, unless the notation “No gifts please” has been added.

The same thing goes for graduation invitations.This is particularly true because many degree-granting institutions impose limits on the number of spectators who actually may attend, and issue tickets to the graduate to be given to those select members of the family or friends who actually are expected to show up at the ceremonies.

Better to invite only immediate family and closest friends (such as godparents) to the ceremony. Whether it is a traditional graduation party such as an open house or a more “organized party” such as a roast for the graduate or a buffet dinner, plan a party theme that reflects what your graduate’s plans for the future are.