05-21-2008, 02:04 PM
There are two types of graduation parties.
1- The party for the graduate and their school friends. It's a time to hang out, blow off steam and stress, discuss plans for the future, and for many of them to say goodbye. Music, food, drink, some sequestered makeout spots, and a reasonable level of adult supervision to avoid complaints and arrests. Guests should bring food, games, music, beverages. NOT gifts. And depending on your state laws, you will probably want to highly discourage adult beverages. (in Ohio the host parents end up in jail if someone brings a six-pack to a high school party)
2- The party for the graduate and his parent's friends (think "The Graduate" and the famous "Plastics" line). It's a chance for the new graduate to learn how to network, talk about college, talk about jobs, and learn how to communicate as an adult in an adult world. Guests should bring themselves, perhaps a bottle or other relevant present for the hosts.
In neither case should the graduate expect any sort of present. He got an education, that's enough for now. If Mom and Dad got him a 'cool' graduation present, he'll want to show it off to his friends, fine. If someone wants to bring him something, that's fine too. Kids sometimes like to bring keepsakes for each other's graduation parties.
1- The party for the graduate and their school friends. It's a time to hang out, blow off steam and stress, discuss plans for the future, and for many of them to say goodbye. Music, food, drink, some sequestered makeout spots, and a reasonable level of adult supervision to avoid complaints and arrests. Guests should bring food, games, music, beverages. NOT gifts. And depending on your state laws, you will probably want to highly discourage adult beverages. (in Ohio the host parents end up in jail if someone brings a six-pack to a high school party)
2- The party for the graduate and his parent's friends (think "The Graduate" and the famous "Plastics" line). It's a chance for the new graduate to learn how to network, talk about college, talk about jobs, and learn how to communicate as an adult in an adult world. Guests should bring themselves, perhaps a bottle or other relevant present for the hosts.
In neither case should the graduate expect any sort of present. He got an education, that's enough for now. If Mom and Dad got him a 'cool' graduation present, he'll want to show it off to his friends, fine. If someone wants to bring him something, that's fine too. Kids sometimes like to bring keepsakes for each other's graduation parties.