Beer at Grad Party?

[smidgy]

when my sons graduated (97 and 2000) the parties were mostly for familyfriends and relatives.. most of our sons' friends were at their own parties.
now, these people came and brought checks for the "honoree".
usually our "group's" parties are BYOB. some even bring a dish to pass. but when you are "expected" to bring a gift, you expect to be served food and drinks (incl alcohol).(just like at a wedding).
we had no problem with teens drinking, including our sons.
If I attend a party and bring a $50-$75 check for the graduate, I expect to be able to have a couple beers. if not, I would escpect to be told on the invitation that it is an alcohol free party.
to a PP, what would you do if people brought their own? not let them drink it?
by the time your chiled is 17, 18, I'm sure he knows if you and your friends, relatives drink, and if so, has seen them drink many times before. I don't think having alcohol at the party would suddenly change his view on the subject.
now, if you noramlly don't serve alcohol at parties, and most of your friends, etc don't drink, that is a dif. situation.
you know your friends. If there are some who do "imbibe" in legal, adult beverages, I would make sure to let them know ahead of time.

 

[smidgy]

we had no problem with teens drinking, including our sons.
.

boy! could THAT be misconstrued! I assume everyone knows what I meant, but, just in case:
we didn't allow anyone underage to drink, and they didn't.

 

[MELSMICE]

boy! could THAT be misconstrued! I assume everyone knows what I meant, but, just in case:
we didn't allow anyone underage to drink, and they didn't.

LOL - you're right, because until I read your 2nd post I thought you meant that your teens were drinking & you didn't have a problem with them doing that!

My first thought was, "Oh, wow, we allow our DD's to have an occasional wine cooler when they are home with us, but I don't think I'd be so liberal as to allow them to drink at a grad party with their friends."

I think you've been a member of the DIS long enough to realize that it's a good thing you "set the record straight"!!!

 

[klacey1]

Absolutely not. I think you'd be too stressed to enjoy the party if you were constantly worrying a child was going to sneak a beer. Parents will understand.

 

[kaphil]

I wouldn't offer beer. Sometimes a lot of kids show up at these parties that weren't really invited, they just stop by. We had a situation in our town where the parents had beer, some kids swiped some and left and were pulled over later. Of course they told the police where the beer came from and the graduates mom got a hefty fine and probation. Along with her name in the paper a few times. So now most parents won't let their kids go over there.

 

[DVCBELLE]

We're a family that never has alcohol at events or even in our house.

I voted yes - but this changes my answer - we always have alcohol at family events and a graduation party would be no different - the kids know the rules and follow them.

But if you are not a family of drinkers then I wouldn't even consider having it.

It also never once occurred to me that any of the young people would drink (and they didn't)

I think this is a key point - since alcohol is readily available all the time - the kids don't think anything about it and know the rules. The also know the consequences for disobeying the rules. I don't think I have ever been to a party when those that were underage drank - either as a youth or now. We just knew the rules and followed them.