Graduation party after 2 years - 2 more years to go?

[TupperMom7]

Is it appropriate to give a graduation party after someone completes a 2 year degree? He is going on to get his 4 year degree, so 2 more years of school but I want to acknowledge his achievement so far.

I was thinking of an afternoon get together, just close family and any friends he wants to ask for light refreshments and a cake. Is that tacky?

 

[superme80]

I don't think so. I would do that and hold a larger party when he gets is 4 year degree. A two year degree is still a degree. He did accomplish something.

 

[Janepod]

I would do a nice dinner out for immediate family only.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm all for a good party or celebration but I'm not sure about this. If you did something, I would do it private with your family. I can't say that I've ever received a 2 year college passed party. Does he want one?

 

[powellrj]

I agree, I would opt for a small dinner for close family.

 

[Southernmiss]

I would do a nice dinner out for immediate family only.

This. So many folks go to community college here that it's no big deal. Dh and I both did and there was no fanfare. We didn't even go to graduation. For us, hs graduation was just 2 years ago.

 

[minkydog]

Is it appropriate to give a graduation party after someone completes a 2 year degree? He is going on to get his 4 year degree, so 2 more years of school but I want to acknowledge his achievement so far.

I was thinking of an afternoon get together, just close family and any friends he wants to ask for light refreshments and a cake. Is that tacky?

I absolutely would! My first degree was a 2yr degree and believe me, it was hard-earned. I would have been thrilled for anyone in my family to recognize that accomplishment with a small get together and light refreshments. It would take nothing away from a 4yr degree to celebrate the 2yr degree.

 

[mamacatnv]

Milestone is a milestone IMO
My DS graduates with a 4, that took 5, year degree next week and has already been accepted to Grad school. We were having this discussion the other day.
Have a party? No party since he is not done? what to do what to do..... Don't want it to be a "gift grab" type thing etc etc

We opted for a small family/friends get together - my DS attends school in the town we used to live in, we moved a year ago so its actually a get together for us, he will have just happened to graduate lol

DS is planning his own party with his friends - you know, the kind where the parents are not invited

We figure in 2 years when he finishes Grad school - that is when we will have the blow out party for him

 

[SpartanMommy]

Maybe it is just were I am from, but I have never been to/heard of a college graduation party. Most people just go to dinner after the ceremony.

 

[msjprincess]

I would do a nice dinner out for immediate family only.

Same here

 

[dakcp2001]

Of course this is celebration worthy! I assume he is getting his Associates? Life is short, celebrate the big moments. I worked hard for my associates. Anyone who thinks a degree is not worth celebrating is probably suffering from sour grapes. NOTHING in life is guaranteed and just because he plans to go on and get a 4 year degree does not mean it will happen in the time planned. People get married, have babies, change majors, switch to part time, decide to travel, and do a host of other things. The 4 year degree is not a given and life doesn't go by our planned schedules.

 

[superme80]

Of course this is celebration worthy! I assume he is getting his Associates? Life is short, celebrate the big moments. I worked hard for my associates. Anyone who thinks a degree is not worth celebrating is probably suffering from sour grapes. NOTHING in life is guaranteed and just because he plans to go on and get a 4 year degree does not mean it will happen in the time planned. People get married, have babies, change majors, switch to part time, decide to travel, and do a host of other things. The 4 year degree is not a given and life doesn't go by our planned schedules.

 

[SLP958]

I agree with a small family dinner.

 

[FINFAN]

I would probably have or go to dinner with family, and then let him have a bash with his friends where you pay the tab(agreed upon budget) on food/drinks. That way, you have celebrated and it isn't a gift thing, but he will have some great memories of celebrating his accomplishment. Then, when the 4 year is done, whoop it up again, only now you throw the combined family/friends bash and if people want to bring gifts, it is A-OK
Congrat's to him...I feel it is certainly worth celebrating. Heck, most kids who go to CC have not done nearly the partying while in school that their peers who went away do...so heck yeah, party on!

 

[dismom2005]

Of course this is celebration worthy! I assume he is getting his Associates? Life is short, celebrate the big moments. I worked hard for my associates. Anyone who thinks a degree is not worth celebrating is probably suffering from sour grapes. NOTHING in life is guaranteed and just because he plans to go on and get a 4 year degree does not mean it will happen in the time planned. People get married, have babies, change majors, switch to part time, decide to travel, and do a host of other things. The 4 year degree is not a given and life doesn't go by our planned schedules.

Agreed! I got my Associates first and had a small party with friends/family. It was a very memorable day for me.

 

[disfan07]

My gift after my associates was my craniotomy...lol.

We did a small party...mainly family though because I had only been out here a year so I didnt have a lot of friends. Yes we did the party to celebrate me getting into a 4 year university but the main rason we did the party was because honestly, we had no idea if I was going to be able to go to school that fall. I was going into a surgery with a mortality rate of 1 in 4 so my parent sfelt that we needed to celebrate my associates just in case we would never get the chance to celebrate that 4 year degree. I'm happy to say that I graduate from my 4 year university in 5 1/2 weeks....so we get to celebrate again.

I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating this accomplishment. I don't think I would do a big celebration but something small to recognize the accompliahment. For us, if we didn't have the circumstances that we had at the time, we proabbly would have not celebrated it. But now we have learned to celebrate all milestones because who knows whether or not your plan will work out.

 

[clh2]

A small family celebration sounds really nice!

 

[disykat]

I would check with him. He may not feel like he is "done" with anything yet, so a party may feel premature. If he's excited about his associates, give him a little party, if he just feels like he's ready to change schools and continue on, I'd skip it and plan a family meal.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would ask your son and see what he says.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I think "just" an associates is certainly worth celebrating! I wouldn't begrudge the guy as having earned a cake with family and friends. (I assume you had a HS grad celebration even though he was still going on to college?)
Go for it!