Graduation Party Etiquette

[Chattyaholic]

Here it's considered acceptable to ask relatives and close friends to help provide food for a graduation open house. I did that when my DS and DD had their open houses, but only asked the closest relatives and a couple of friends. The majority of the food we did ourselves. We took something to each of our good friends' 3 children's open houses, and at our nephew's we were asked to bring two sheet cakes. I was a little surprised at being asked to bring TWO, I thought one would be enough then get someone else to make one, but I did make them. We will probably be asked to bring something to our niece's open house next year too. It's normal around here. But I wouldn't ask, or expect, every person/family invited to bring something. That is a little tacky.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

I side with the "tacky" bunch!

A simular situation happened when a family was planning a 60th. birthday party for a friend of mine. She knew the party was happening and asked if I could help her children with the decorating and coordinating. No problem until her children (all adults) said they would ask the guests to bring a food dish to the party! I was mortified. I explained to them that they either needed to provide the food or make the party smaller so they could afford something nicer if they wanted.
I was overruled in my suggestion and after that I stayed out of the picture because I didn't want anyone thinking that I agreed with how they were handling the party.
I told them if they wanted to ask close family & friends that might be ok but don't ask everyone. They even asked her boss to bring something! EEEEK!
And yes gifts were expected at the party as well.