Graduation Announcements

[carrie1626]

We definitely don't have parties like have been described here. I think my parents took me out to dinner after I graduated. Thats the norm around here.

Sorry if I am ruffling feathers but seriously, why are kids being rewarded for doing something that is expected of them? I really don't get it.

DARN right they are EXPECTED to graduate.
None of my husbands's family lives close by and no one lives near each other. It's a given we will celebrate milestones and personally I love it whether I'm the guest or the host.

 

[curlyjbs]

College graduation? Yes, HS? No.

DD got her bachelors in 2.5 years, held a 30 hour per week job, and an internship and she was vice president of her sorority and still maintained a 3.8+ and graduated Magna Cum Laude! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops so yes I sent out announcements/party invites. She's attending law school in September.

 

[4nana]

Announcements are very popular here, I've received several this year and am honored . I sent them when I graduated HS in 1964 and our 4 kiddos sent them when they graduated from both HS & college. I don't look at it as a money grab at all, rather a proud announcement that student has reach another milestone worthy taking note of. It's up to the receiver if they want to recognize their accomplishment, which I'm definitely honored to do.

Just last week I attended my sweet grandson's Senior Awards assembly, where he was recognized for Presidential Gold Award of Academic Excellence, AP Stars, and several other awards. When I received his announcement w/his photo, it truly warmed my heart with pride, to think how hard he's worked in HS & the college classes he's taken also. For just 18 yrs ago, I was rocking him on my lap as I read to him, and now, here he is with a 4.8 GPA and ready to spread his wings in college. I love him dearly and couldn't be more proud . You can bet, big celebration is in order!

Godspeed these young graduates and best wishes in their continued education, careers, and whatever the future may hold for them. They are our future!

 

[disykat]

College graduation? Yes, HS? No.

DD got her bachelors in 2.5 years, held a 30 hour per week job, and an internship and she was vice president of her sorority and still maintained a 3.8+ and graduated Magna Cum Laude! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops so yes I sent out announcements/party invites. She's attending law school in September.

Exact opposite here. High school graduation is expected, but considered the rite of passage into adulthood. Although I didn't really send them for my kids I've received many. They are sort of a proclamation of reaching adulthood/independence.

I rarely receive a college announcement. To me, that's much more of an accomplishment kind of thing and I wouldn't feel comfortable sending them. If my sons choose to send them, I would consider that their decision not mine.

 

[jrmasm]

Let me clarify my question a little bit more.


In my view, announcements were a way to share information with far way friends and relatives before social media, electronic communication and super cheap phone rates.

So for some I'm sure, announcements are simply tradition.

But in this day and age when everyone knows everything about everyone, every second of the day, have announcements become antiquated?

 

[wvjules]

College graduation? Yes, HS? No.

DD got her bachelors in 2.5 years, held a 30 hour per week job, and an internship and she was vice president of her sorority and still maintained a 3.8+ and graduated Magna Cum Laude! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops so yes I sent out announcements/party invites. She's attending law school in September.

Was all that information in the announcement?

 

[tyniknate]

Do you celebrate your birthday? Do you receive gifts or turn them away? Have you ever had a birthday party? I only ask because birthdays come around every year and to be quite honest, you didn't do anything to earn a celebration other than to just be born. Why celebrate your annual birthday if you see no need to celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment? No long hard hours of studying to be at the top of your class. You were just born.

My DS is graduating from high school this year and darned tootin we sent out announcements. We also sent his senior photo and an invitation to his graduation party. He has worked hard and we are proud. Those who received the invitations are close family and friends and the vast majority will be there to help us celebrate his accomplishments so far and to wish him well on the next part of his journey.

I'm so sorry graduation wasn't seen as an accomplishment worthy of celebration where you come from. We, however, will

 

[wvjules]

Let me clarify my question a little bit more.


In my view, announcements were a way to share information with far way friends and relatives before social media, electronic communication and super cheap phone rates.

So for some I'm sure, announcements are simply tradition.

But in this day and age when everyone knows everything about everyone, every second of the day, have announcements become antiquated?

No. I have some relatives that aren't that connected to technology. Personally, I like the tradition of sending formal announcements for graduation.

 

[jrmasm]

No. I have some relatives that aren't that connected to technology. Personally, I like the tradition of sending formal announcements for graduation.

I don't necessarily agree but I understand your opinion.

 

[Christine]

Let me clarify my question a little bit more.


In my view, announcements were a way to share information with far way friends and relatives before social media, electronic communication and super cheap phone rates.

So for some I'm sure, announcements are simply tradition.

But in this day and age when everyone knows everything about everyone, every second of the day, have announcements become antiquated?

Are they antiquated? It depends.

I know some older folks who are "offended" when they get an e-vite from a family member versus just "talk to me about it". For instance, this grandfather I know got an e-vite from his son and DIL to his grandchild's first birthday. He doesn't do technology or any of that so he was sort of about it all.

As I said upthread, I think my son sent out about 10 graduation announcements to family and his godmother. Not one of them has a Facebook account nor do they even regularly e-mail so, in our case, not antiquated.

I also do love getting a nicely printed announcement or invite with pictures.

 

[scoutie]

Sorry if I am ruffling feathers but seriously, why are kids being rewarded for doing something that is expected of them

It may be expected, but kids should be celebrated for graduating. It's an accomplishment, and most kids work really hard in school. It seems like a good reason for a party.

College graduation? Yes, HS? No.

It's interesting. When I got my Bachelor's Degree (while student teaching full time and working as a waitress part time), I didn't have any type of celebration (I was 22), aside from my parents taking me to dinner. When I received my Master's Degree (while holding down a full time teaching job and taking care of three kids), I barely got any accolades, lol!

 

[Caropooh]

No, even though I'm thrilled with the fact that DD19 is graduating. She took 5 years to complete HS, so I'm just happy that it's finally over with. It's been a long haul and has added much un-needed stress to our family's life.

 

[jrmasm]

Are they antiquated? It depends.

I know some older folks who are "offended" when they get an e-vite from a family member versus just "talk to me about it". For instance, this grandfather I know got an e-vite from his son and DIL to his grandchild's first birthday. He doesn't do technology or any of that so he was sort of about it all.

As I said upthread, I think my son sent out about 10 graduation announcements to family and his godmother. Not one of them has a Facebook account nor do they even regularly e-mail so, in our case, not antiquated.
I also do love getting a nicely printed announcement or invite with pictures.

Funny you and WVJules both mentioned the same thing and that reason never occurred to me. I must have a really strange family because all my 70+ year old relatives are on Facebook.

 

[kimblebee]

Here's a question for people who say they do send money. Do you also send money to people that have graduated but don't send you an announcement?

 

[jen0610]

Yes it's expected but it is a big milestone and something to be proud of. It's an accomplishment.

Every parent out there expects their kids to graduate high school. Some families have an easier road than others.

When you have a kid that HATES, LOATHES, and DISPISES everything that has to do with school, with the exception of band, then yes getting that kid to finish out his four years of high school and graduate, is something to make a big to do about and announce it to all our friends and family that, yes he and we made it through the ordeal.

College isn't in the fore seeable future of this kid. Is this what I planned and dreamed for him. Hell no!!! I wanted better for him, but this is not going to be happening for him or us. At least not in the next year.

 

[wvjules]

Here's a question for people who say they do send money. Do you also send money to people that have graduated but don't send you an announcement?

No.

 

[yoopermom]

Every parent out there expects their kids to graduate high school. Some families have an easier road than others.

When you have a kid that HATES, LOATHES, and DISPISES everything that has to do with school, with the exception of band, then yes getting that kid to finish out his four years of high school and graduate, is something to make a big to do about and announce it to all our friends and family that, yes he and we made it through the ordeal.

College isn't in the fore seeable future of this kid. Is this what I planned and dreamed for him. Hell no!!! I wanted better for him, but this is not going to be happening for him or us. At least not in the next year.

Just wanted to give you one of these

I have a graduating senior who was a *dream* student/son until the past year and a half, but we're definitely having a party partly to say, "hooray, we made it, somehow, someway!!!"

It's not always easy being a parent, that's for sure....

Good luck and hang in there.

Terri

 

[jen0610]

Here's a question for people who say they do send money. Do you also send money to people that have graduated but don't send you an announcement?

Receiving an announcement that X is graduating, does not equal getting a gift for graduation.

Receiving an invatation to the graduation party, does get a small gift for graduation. The amount differs, depending on how we know the graduate and how long we have known the graduate.

DD's friend from the dance studio - 8 years of dancing together, know her parents from outside the studio. She'll be getting $30.00 cash or gift card.

Band mate of both DS and DD - 3 years of knowing him, no outside connection. He'll be getting $20.00 cash or gift card.

Just friends that the kids have made with seniors, that their only connection is classes at school, $10.00 cash or gift card.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Here's a question for people who say they do send money. Do you also send money to people that have graduated but don't send you an announcement?

No. I only send money to people who send me a nice announcement. It is what we do here. I don't see it as a money grab at all, and I call out money grabs all over the place.



I am reading this thread because I have a question. I got an announcement from a friend's son. This friend and I are deep. They live in another state.

Do I do what I do here about the announcement or do I do what they do there in their state?

 

[wvjules]

No. I only send money to people who send me a nice announcement. It is what we do here. I don't see it as a money grab at all, and I call out money grabs all over the place.



I am reading this thread because I have a question. I got an announcement from a friend's son. This friend and I are deep. They live in another state.

Do I do what I do here about the announcement or do I do what they do there in their state?

I would do what is done in their state.

But I'm curious...what is different?