Graduation Announcements

[PrincessShmoo]

How do you feel when you receive a graduation announcement? DD21 is graduating, summa cum laude, from college in a few weeks, with double majors and double minors. We are incredibly proud of her and I'd like to send announcements to the immediate family (grandparents, aunts/uncles), but I don't want it to seem like a "gift grab." These are not graduation invitations, they are announcements, and I'd include a professional photo (wallet-sized) with the announcement. We live very far from our families, so they wouldn't necessarily know that DD had reached this milestone in her life (we are in Maine- they are in Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, and California.) I just don't want it to seem like we are seeking gifts, when really all I want to do is share her accomplishment with the folks who love her.

As long as the announcement is someone who I have contact with (or the parents) on a regular basis, I just take it as an announcement. If it's someone who I haven't seen (or heard of) for years (including from the parents), it's a gift grab.

And I agree - Facebook wouldn't do it for me, not on there, never will be.

 

[gwynne]

As long as the announcement is someone who I have contact with (or the parents) on a regular basis, I just take it as an announcement. If it's someone who I haven't seen (or heard of) for years (including from the parents), it's a gift grab.

And I agree - Facebook wouldn't do it for me, not on there, never will be.

Totally agree! I don't mind at all sending a gift when I know the student, or am in contact with their parents regularly. Otherwise, it is kind of a gift grab. Sometimes I will, sometimes, I won't in those cases.

And I'm the same way about Facebook. Not on, won't ever be. I know my extended family. It's just easier, trust me.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Personally, I would love to get one from my nieces/nephews and close friends. I would want to give them something for reaching that milestone.

This. Exactly this. It is not a gift grab. Gift grabs are when you include a list of where you are registered.

I would LOVE to get such an announcement from family and close friends.

 

[Ambear]

Totally send announcements! College is something to be very proud of. I think since it's not customary to give college grad gifts that most people will see it as just an announcement. And I'm sure they'd love hearing how great your kid did after they heard about her graduating High school! It's like finishing a story hehe.

I'm getting my master's in June and I'm telling everyone lol. I'll do it mostly on Facebook since I don't have a big family. And then other relatives will tell other relatives. But I'm super proud of myself and will consider it not bragging. ;P

 

[LBIJim]

This. Exactly this. It is not a gift grab. Gift grabs are when you include a list of where you are registered.

I would LOVE to get such an announcement from family and close friends.

Never heard of a graduation announcement or party invitation with a gift registry, but I wouldn't be surprised if some people included them. Susie Graduate needs some career clothes, or furnishings for an apartment, or what the heck, just send $500 to help her pay off her student loans.

 

[verleniahall]

This. Exactly this. It is not a gift grab. Gift grabs are when you include a list of where you are registered.

we were invited to a birthday party for a friends kid - i think they were turning 8 or 9?? and they sent registry cards - it was slightly weird - although that might be jus tme

sorry - ot op!

 

[gwynne]

we were invited to a birthday party for a friends kid - i think they were turning 8 or 9?? and they sent registry cards - it was slightly weird - although that might be jus tme

sorry - ot op!

Oh my...I think I would be laughing into next week if I was sent a registry card for an 8 year old. OK...back on topic. Carry on.

 

[bsblady01]

I see it as asking for a gift. just do a post on facebook then you are not wasting stamps. most people will just toss it in the trash

 

[daisyduck123]

I totally see it as looking for a gift. IMO, anyone worth announcing graduation to, such as close friends or amily, ALREADY KNOWS.

My DD20 is graduating from college in May. Last month, over the phone, I told her that some paperwork cme in the mail advertising announcement orders. She was like, "No way, no thanks mom. No one does that.

 

[NAB]

I think it is funny that everyone keeps saying put it on FB. Sad that is the only place now a day we can communicate with people or no one does that .... my 17 year old son says that too me all the time ,no one does that , drives me crazy. People post graduations and milestones in the paper too should you sent a gift because you saw it in the paper. Just like baby announcements doesn't mean they want a gift when it comes in the mail.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I've never been sent a college grad notification yet in all my years. Nor have I sent one for myself or my kids. I can't imagine anyone really wanting to know except my immediate family. Seems like something you would put in a Christmas letter, if you're so inclined.

 

[minkydog]

Wouldn't immediate family already know of this upcoming graduation, even if they live a distance away?

I think you should be awfully proud of your daughter and I'm sure immediate family is, too. I do think that it could be seen as a gift grab, but then again, immediate family might intend to be giving gifts for the occasion anyway.

I've been thinking this over, too. DD21 graduates in April with her AS in culinary, with several certifications. It has been a hard uphill slog for her due to illness, but she is finally making her dreams come true. Our families live over 400 miles away and they aren't always up-to-date on what my kids are doing. Our families WANT to get these announcements, so we will send them. I'm pretty sure that several of the aunties and the grandmas intend to send DD money or a gift for her graduation, so I don't consider it a gift grab. But we will only be sending them to close family, not friends or acquaintances. THAT would be a gift grab.

OP, your DD sounds amazing. Congratulations to her on all her many accomplishments.

 

[NewRVLady]

I've never been sent a college grad notification yet in all my years. Nor have I sent one for myself or my kids. I can't imagine anyone really wanting to know except my immediate family. Seems like something you would put in a Christmas letter, if you're so inclined.

Me either
I see High School ones....but never college ones
However the OP has non Facebook peeps and relatives all over so in that case I guess so???

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've received announcements, and if I had budget I'd send a gift, but I never felt obligated to do so. I love getting announcements, especially with pictures of the grad student. It's very personal, and to me, it means that they thought enough of me to let me know what's going on in their lives.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I think it is funny that everyone keeps saying put it on FB. Sad that is the only place now a day we can communicate with people or no one does that .... my 17 year old son says that too me all the time ,no one does that , drives me crazy. People post graduations and milestones in the paper too should you sent a gift because you saw it in the paper. Just like baby announcements doesn't mean they want a gift when it comes in the mail.

Before Facebook, it just got around by word of mouth, if that,maybe a Christmas letter, at least in our area. It just has never been done around here and it would be considered a gift grab if someone sent out a formal announcement for a college graduation.

 

[aprilchem]

If you'd like to send announcements but don't want gifts, you can just include a card that says "no gifts, please" in the announcement. My institution's grad announcement provider offers those as part of the package.

 

[ckay87]

I don't understand those of you who are against putting it on Facebook. OP is concerned about the announcement of her daughter's graduation appearing to be a gift grab. If she announces it on FB to perhaps 200 people, it will CLEARLY not be a gift grab.