<p>Hi,
For parents of the class of ‘09…it’s getting close!! Just wondered what people have planned? Big party w/all kids’ friends/parents’ friends/family? Smaller affair w/close friends/family? Dinner out w/select family? I’ve seen the gamut.</p>
<p>Most interesting party I’ve been to–someone I know had lots of trouble w/her son [“Joe”] in HS (nothing super serious, but mutliple disciplinary infractions, non-academic attitude–kind of a charming trouble-maker). They had a huge, formal party at their house (DJ, elegant food) – they do these types of parties a lot.</p>
<p>In the center of the food table was a huge, gold, picture frame w/a certificate. Instead of son’s diploma it read: “Congratulations! We survived Joe’s high school!” She invited all her & her husband’s friends. It really was a party for them. Some of us were quite surprised, but in the end, I think it was probably appropriate…lol. </p>
<p>We won’t be doing that (!), but are debating a casual, back-yard event w/son’s friends and their families, plus our (small) family.</p>
<p>We did two things. The night BEFORE the graduation, we went out to dinner at a restaurant of the graduate’s choice with the grandparents. THEN at the beginning of August, we had a barbecue/picnic at our home for family and friends…including friends of the kiddo. The August timing was a big hit with everyone. First of all…there are TOO many conflicts in June. Second…in August, many of the kids were anticipating their departures for college and our party gave them a last gathering as a group. Because it was an outdoor event, the kids were not all in the same area as the adults (our yard is big) and it was a lot of fun.</p>
<p>We had a graduation party with two other families–open-house style, outdoors (with an inside option, because it was hot), informal, for teenagers and adults, catered from Whole Foods, lemonade, etc. Everyone had a great time catching up with one another. We planned two games that we thought the kids might think were dumb, but they loved every minute. First, we filled a pinata with stuff they would “need” for college (action figures were a favorite). And we gave each adult a small piece of paper on which they were asked to write one piece of advice for college freshmen, based on their own long-ago experiences. All of the graduates at the party then read these snippets aloud. It was hilarious. The kids had more fun than we could have imagined, and the parents tried to guess which ones of us were giving racy advice on pot-smoking, drinking, and/or sex and which ones mentioned boring topics like studying. I am not a big-party person, but it all turned out great.</p>
<p>Those are all fabulous ideas!!! I like the idea of a celebration closer to ‘send off!’ And, the ‘advice for college frosh’ is great! At our wedding, we asked people to write on slips of paper w/advice for the newly married! lol.</p>
<p>Funny you should ask this today. Just this morning I asked DH and DD to start thinking about it. The current plan is to have some type of open house for family and family friends in the mid/late afternoon. Food–DH suggested grilling, BUT I’m not for that. I recall someone mentioning last year that they did not want to be cooking all day. I agree. I’m guessing some sort of buffet. DD can invite her friends if she wishes during the day, later that evening we’ll host a bonfire (yes, we live in the country) for DD’s friends. My biggest concern with the bonfire is if some of the kids decides it’s a great time to drink.</p>
<p>The no-grilling idea is a good one, rrah. True–you do spend the whole time cooking. I usually do several pots of meatballs in crockpots (people help themselves) for big, open-house type events. But, catering sounds good if you have the $$. </p>
<p>My son & friends would absolutely love a bonfire. But, our twp ordinances wouldn’t allow it!!</p>
<p>Your ideas sound totally perfect for us this year!! We have 2 graduating, but they have tons of mutual high school freinds. I hate catered things where everyone feels obligated to come. This seems way more of a “come if you can” type of event. One thing I always feel awkward about, when having parties for the kids…is the whole gift thing. I truly don’t want people to feel like we are having a party so they get more gifts. Does anyone know what I mean? I really do want people to come over to celebrate with us, that we made it thru college with the kids…lol…but, even more in this economic climate, I don’t want to stress people out about more gifts…times 2. Any suggestions? I’ve tried the ur presence not presents desired…which doesn’t really work…lol. Awkward!! So I just wanna have a party where all our freinds and family wanna come, but there is no gift desired…??? all ideas will be appreciated!!</p>
<p>We’re having a joint party with the families of son’s best friends. Because the others don’t want to invite adult friends, we’ll have to have another party.</p>
<p>When my oldest daughter was starting her second year of nursery school I had a back to school party for her to get reacquainted with her friends (they actually all went to the same camp so it really was only about 3 weeks since they had seen each other but still, they were only 3 years old). That party is still going on - only now my two girls run the whole thing, always simple but a lot of fun and all the kids really enjoy and appreciate it. I like thumper1 idea of a party in August and it would be in keeping with our annual back to school party which my younger daughter will be doing herself this year. Thanks for the idea!</p>
Totally with you on this one. When we had a get-together to celebrate geek<em>son’s birthday, I told everyone he’d be really happy if they’d bring his favorite candy bar as a gift. Happily they didn’t all comply, as I’d still be trying to figure out how to peel him off the ceiling – but it did seem to take the pressure off. You might try something similar by asking guests to bring something specific and personal that will cost them nothing – for example, have them bring a photo of themselves with your kiddo, draw something that evokes a special memory, or write a limerick describing something they appreciate about Kiddo. The goofier your request, the better. Then make a scrapbook or shadowbox of all the “gifts” for Kiddo to take to college. If everyone knows this is what’s going to happen, again, the gifting pressure should be off. Just a thought. (Come to think of it, I think I might do this for geek</em>son. ;))</p>
You might try something similar by asking guests to bring something specific and personal that will cost them nothing – for example, have them bring a photo of themselves with your kiddo, draw something that evokes a special memory, or write a limerick describing something they appreciate about Kiddo. The goofier your request, the better. Then make a scrapbook or shadowbox of all the “gifts” for Kiddo to take to college. If everyone knows this is what’s going to happen, again, the gifting pressure should be off. Just a thought. (Come to think of it, I think I might do this for geek</em>son. ;))</p>