Beer at Grad Party?

[donnajz]

Next year DD will be graduating from high school and wants to have her grad party at a nearby park pavilion. I tend to not want to serve beer so we don't need to be concerned with anyone underage trying to access it. Please let me know if you think beer should be available for those over 21 at grad parties or if it shouldn't even be on the premesis.

 

[cassandrap83]

Some families have beer at every occassion: christenings, baby showers, kids bday parties, holidays, etc. If that's you, then yeah I'd have beer at the graduation party. If you guy don't normally have beer at all occasions, I'd skipt it. The adults will be more than happy with water/soda.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

My oldest DD just graduated 8th grade and we struggled with this as well. Ultimately we decided not to have any beer, but warned everyone in advance.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

It only takes one child stealing a few beers you have sitting around and poof, there goes your house, savings, etc. IF it was family only, that is a different story, but I am sure there will be friends from school, and to fool yourself into thinking they won't try is just wrong.

Enjoy the party, alcohol free, and invite the adults over for a drink later on.

Forgot to add, many outdoor pavilions will not allow for alcohol anymore in our area. You would be fined just for bringing it in. The only pavillions that are allowed, are secured with fences, etc. A public area is really not the place to serve alcohol these days. It a lawsuit waiting to happen. If you have the party at your home, that's different.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Are you trying to figure out if it fits in your budget?

 

[donnajz]

Some families have beer at every occassion: christenings, baby showers, kids bday parties, holidays, etc. If that's you, then yeah I'd have beer at the graduation party. If you guy don't normally have beer at all occasions, I'd skipt it. The adults will be more than happy with water/soda.

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

 

[donnajz]

Are you trying to figure out if it fits in your budget?

Nope, not looking at the budget just didn't know where else to post this. Just trying to decide if we should have it or not...I'm leaning towards "not".

 

[Belle5]

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

Then why start now?

 

[AlexTina]

I wouldn't risk it, you will be putting a lot at stake. If one kid gets access to the beer (and they will), then drives home and gets pulled over, gets in an accident, etc. you will be held responsible. We used to have an ice chest full of beer, wine coolers, etc. at every occasion but the way the laws are now you bear so much responsibility for others actions that it just isn't worth it anymore. Stick to soda, punch, etc..

Tina

 

[donnajz]

Then why start now?

I guess you could say that I'm the type of person who tries to make everyone happy.

 

[mrsklamc]

Totally not appropriate. Alcohol doesn't belong where the guest of honor can't partake. Unless someone under 21 is getting married I guess.

Kinda strange that if you are 18 you can possibly screw up your life big time by marrying the wrong person but can't have a drink.

 

[r&kmommy]

We always have beer in the house, as does MIL and a few other family members... while it may not be "out" for everyone (ie, in the cooler outside) there's almost always beer available.

If you never have beer in the house or at other family events then why start now? Not to mention, at a park pavillion is it even allowed?

I'd lean towards NOT, only becuase you never have it anyway at any other events KWIM?

 

[PatsMom]

My family does serve beer at our family gatherings, along with wine and wine coolers. Some also bring other alcoholic beverages. I don't see anything wrong with serving it unless you are having a crowd too large to keep an eye out for underage drinkers or you are having the party in a place that prohibits alcohol. As someone already mentioned, many public parks do forbid alcohol.

But if the party is mainly for the graduate and his or her friends then I would not serve alcohol. When I answered yes to the poll I was assuming that you were talking about the type of family gathering we have, not a large gathering of new high school graduates.

 

[donnajz]

We always have beer in the house, as does MIL and a few other family members... while it may not be "out" for everyone (ie, in the cooler outside) there's almost always beer available.

If you never have beer in the house or at other family events then why start now? Not to mention, at a park pavillion is it even allowed?

I'd lean towards NOT, only becuase you never have it anyway at any other events KWIM?

It is allowed at the park pavilion...you just have to pay more for a liquor permit.

 

[bokolo]

OP---Since you said that your family never has alcohol at home or parties, I don't think you should change that for this party. You shouldn't worry about trying to please everyone. They should be coming to celebrate your daughter's achievements. We have alcohol at out parties, but I wouldn't be bothered/upset if we went to a party and there wasn't any served.

I do agree that having alcohol available at a high school grad party can cause extra stress with underage drinking and liability. Someone would have to monitor the drink table/coolers and that wouldn't be a fun way tor them to enjoy the party.

 

[donnajz]

But if the party is mainly for the graduate and his or her friends then I would not serve alcohol. When I answered yes to the poll I was assuming that you were talking about the type of family gathering we have, not a large gathering of new high school graduates.

There will be family, friends and many of DDs friends as well coming and going.

 

[ssawka]

Are you sure that the park allows alcohol? Most public parks do not, or require a permit.

 

[CC12005]

If you have never served alcohol at parties, don't start now. Teach your daughter & the other teens there that yes, you can have a party & not have alcohol. They can still have fun. Don't send her off to college thinking all parties must have alcohol to be a success.

 

[wdwfan16]

Next year DD will be graduating from high school and wants to have her grad party at a nearby park pavilion. I tend to not want to serve beer so we don't need to be concerned with anyone underage trying to access it. Please let me know if you think beer should be available for those over 21 at grad parties or if it shouldn't even be on the premesis.

A graduation party is just like any party where there are over and under 21 year olds. We would serve beer.

 

[krcit]

I said yes on the poll but now that I've read more, I am changing my answer, lol. I was assuming it was a family party at the house but seeing that it's a big party at a park I wouldn't esp. seeing that you don't normally have alcohol at parties.

As for not having alcohol at a party where the guest of honor can't drink I served alcohol at my son's Communion party and at my older dd's Confirmation party. We're adults and can have a drink at a party if we want to. Sometimes I have a beer at a party, sometimes I have 4 and sometimes I have none. My kids see responsible drinking...no drinking and driving, no falling down drunk.