Might be OT (not sure) - Grad party invite

[indimom]

I've been reading the invitations that other people's kids get on here for years, and I have to admit that some of them are so bad that they make me wonder if they are really true. Then I received this in my inbox. Tell me, is this as bad as it seems to me, or am I being too sensitive?

"Please join us as we convene to honour the academic achievements of XXXXXX following his graduation from XXXXX Senior High School
When: June 16th, 1pm
Where: XXXXXXX

We will be providing some food at the event; however, please feel free to bring something to contribute, so long as it is vegan (in other words, not containing any animal products). If you are unsure as to whether something is vegan or not, you may contact us. If you need suggestions so that we do not have twenty people bringing chips, again, you may contact us. Please do not feel obligated to bring something; however, it would be much appreciated if you did. Also note that we do not have a functional grill at the moment.

The party will be in the house and will probably spill over to the back yard. Feel free to bring lawn chairs if you so desire.

Please note that there are currently an overabundance of ticks in our yard. Depending on conditions in a month and a half, this may be somewhat alleviated, and we will have some bug spray, but if you deem this to be a problem, feel free to bring your own.

We have a cat (may have 2 by then). Please don't let him out.

For those that are interested, the graduation is the night before, at 7pm in the XXXXXXX.

Please RSVP so we have some idea of how many people are coming (although if you forget to, it is still okay to come) to (XXX) XXX-XXXX, XXXX@XXXXX.com, or over facebook or another social media."

I was raised that to be a gracious hostess means making your guests comfortable. I believe this can be done on any budget (borrowing chairs, putting out snacks instead of a meal, etc.), and if one really can't afford it, they shouldn't have a party at all. I would also think that if the hosts choose to only offer vegan offerings -- and they are allowing their guests to bring food -- that they can allow their guests to bring something other than vegan (it is only the honoree who eats vegan...and then only sometimes).

Also, is it really the guest's responsibility for the host's cat(s)? Shouldn't they shut them in a room or put a gate up or something?

Let me know if I am off here.

OMG. I might have to show up at that party just to soak up the atmosphere, so I can laugh all the way home....

 

[indimom]

That is just bizarre.

It's also like 4 different things.

It's an invitation to a party -

"Please join us as we convene to honour the academic achievements of XXXXXX following his graduation from XXXXX Senior High School
When: June 16th, 1pm
Where: XXXXXXX

Then it gets into weirdness.

"We'll be providing SOME food?' Will you now? If they can't provide food for the guests, then make it an actual potluck and say that straight up - like 'we'd love to kick off the summer and have everyone over and celebrate XXXXX's (weird name btw, how do you pronounce that?) graduation with a backyard potluck!

Asking people to bring chairs I don't even... I mean ok, you don't have chairs, though you have a lawn. Do you hae any neighbours? At all? Do they have lawns? Can you not just go borrow a few chairs each for the party?

The stuff with don't let the cat out, there are ticks in the yard... how do they think this goes on the invitation? To ANYTHING? The invitation is an invitation, not a list of house freaking rules.

"Bob and Sandra request your presence as they celebrate their anniversary on May 3rd, 2013. Please use the downstairs bathroom only; if the toilet clogs use the plunger by the litter tray. There's only orange juice for mixers and no rum, though we may buy some by then. Please RSVP to wearenuts@bananas.com[/B]."

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thanks for the laugh!

I am SO stressed out about our Open House for graduation. I only put the time and our address - not even an RSVP-it's an Open House.

I am not good about having people over since our home is more in the humble range around our parts. We had to replace the deck (just 12 x 14 off the kitchen slider) and I could have rented a place with catering for that $$!

SO worried about food presentation - how to keep it hot, etc. We won't be serving alcohol, but just sodas, bottled water in cute tubs I guess. I haven't done a video or a scrapbook - haven't bought the matching table clothes, plates and napkins. I am so freaked out I have gone into denial mode - which is NOT like me normally.

I have in-laws coming to stay at our house too. Sadly I am looking forward to it being done.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

Thanks for the laugh!

I am SO stressed out about our Open House for graduation. I only put the time and our address - not even an RSVP-it's an Open House.

I am not good about having people over since our home is more in the humble range around our parts. We had to replace the deck (just 12 x 14 off the kitchen slider) and I could have rented a place with catering for that $$!

SO worried about food presentation - how to keep it hot, etc. We won't be serving alcohol, but just sodas, bottled water in cute tubs I guess. I haven't done a video or a scrapbook - haven't bought the matching table clothes, plates and napkins. I am so freaked out I have gone into denial mode - which is NOT like me normally.

I have in-laws coming to stay at our house too. Sadly I am looking forward to it being done.

Hit the dollar store first and do it soon! Borrow crockpots and do bbq chicken, pork and sloppy joes.

For pictures most people just tape pictures to poster board and hang it up that way. Just relax, this is about celebrating a graduation not a judging on your house.

 

[marthachick]

Thanks for the laugh!

I am SO stressed out about our Open House for graduation. I only put the time and our address - not even an RSVP-it's an Open House.

I am not good about having people over since our home is more in the humble range around our parts. We had to replace the deck (just 12 x 14 off the kitchen slider) and I could have rented a place with catering for that $$!

SO worried about food presentation - how to keep it hot, etc. We won't be serving alcohol, but just sodas, bottled water in cute tubs I guess. I haven't done a video or a scrapbook - haven't bought the matching table clothes, plates and napkins. I am so freaked out I have gone into denial mode - which is NOT like me normally.

I have in-laws coming to stay at our house too. Sadly I am looking forward to it being done.

DS graduated on a Saturday from Community College. On the Thursday before I decided to throw him a party. Yeah, I know - not much notice to guests. I texted, called & put invitations on FB. Went to the Dollar Tree. Got some cute grad balloons, table covers, plates, napkins & plastic forks. Made shredded bbq chicken, cooked hot dogs & had chips, baked beans, etc. DSis got him a cake at the local grocery store bakery. His degree is Fire Protection Technology so she got a cake with flames & a graduation cap on it. I got a kids play set at Dollar General & put it on the cake to personalize it.

We had a great time. DS was really surprised but I think he enjoyed it more than going out for a fancy dinner like he was expecting to do.

Soooo, take a deep breath, ask family or close friends for help & ENJOY the party. Our house is not the biggest & the food was not fancy, but I truly tried to make everyone who attended feel like they were my most important guest. That's what most people want - to be welcomed!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Just relax, this is about celebrating a graduation not a judging on your house.

Thanks - you're invited!

DS graduated on a Saturday from Community College. On the Thursday before I decided to throw him a party.

We had a great time. DS was really surprised but I think he enjoyed it more than going out for a fancy dinner like he was expecting to do.

Soooo, take a deep breath, ask family or close friends for help & ENJOY the party. Our house is not the biggest & the food was not fancy, but I truly tried to make everyone who attended feel like they were my most important guest. That's what most people want - to be welcomed!

And you can come too!!

Thanks to both of you for the encouragement! I know you are right and I just need to get a grip. We have much to celebrate, and I need to keep that in mind!

Sorry to hijack the thread OP. Please come back and tell us what you hear of that party!! Sounds like it should be interesting!

 

[marthachick]

And you can come too!!

Thanks to both of you for the encouragement! I know you are right and I just need to get a grip. We have much to celebrate, and I need to keep that in mind!

Sorry to hijack the thread OP. Please come back and tell us what you hear of that party!! Sounds like it should be interesting!

Just let me know where & when.

 

[Tink-aholic]

OP here, thanks for all of the comments.

Disneyprincessatheart: Thanks for the giggle!

Cornflake: You made me howl! Thanks for that. By the way, I XXXXed out the honoree's name because it is a VERY unusual name and I didn't want this thread to come up on a random search.

Poohlover: Sort of..it is the program that spun off from it called Destination Imagination. This is the 4th year in a row that my son gets to go! I take it your kids do OM? DS will be rooming with this kid while at the tournament...

ColoradoMom: I'm sure your party will be great!

Disneyrsh:

I sent back a note today thanking the mom for inviting us, but letting her know that we won't be able to attend. I'll send a card of congratulations.