8th Grade Graduation celebration
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8th Grade Graduation celebration
| Mon, 04-24-2006 - 3:30pm |
We're planning a party for DD's 8th grade graduation. Nothing formal, softball and grilling because that's what she loves. We'll invite all of the family in the area but I wondered if I should invite those who can't realistically travel the distance. Or should I send fun, informal announcements to them? If so, should they be from her parents, her family, or from her (or even from her sister)? Or does that come off as asking for gifts? That's not the idea, DD is just really excited to go to High School.
Is it better to just involve the close family and wait for the big High School graduation to really send announcements, etc?
Can you tell I'm in uncharted waters with this one?
Anyone BTDT? Please chime in!
Thanks,
Dani

I know that if I got an invitation or an announcement for an 8th grade graduation, I'd probably completely ignore the plea for gifts. That's how an 8th grade graduation feels to me. My little brother is finished 8th grade this year. Next year, he'll go on to 9th grade just like everyone else. I didn't have an 8th grade party for my son, or acknowledge it in any special way, except the that school did a cap and gown type ceremony that I attended. He graduates from High School this year and I'm not sure we are going to throw a party. The announcements are in, though and I need to get them prepared to mail all over the country.
So, in your shoes, where you are already having the party, only invite locals, but if Grandma lives out of town, send her a picture that notes the age (8th grade) of the child. If grandma chooses to send a gift, fine, but it won't be in response to an acutal annoucement.
Do you have informal get together with close by family in general? I would treat this the same way with the exception of there being a bit of a theme
What would you do for 4th of July, for example?
I would do the same for an 8th grade graduation
I think I'd wait for hs graduation for a big hoopla.
DD14 graduated from ms last June, (no cap and gown or anything, just nice dress) since both sets of grandparents were planning on being here for the occassion (younger DS' elementary school had a small 'promotion' ceremony as well) I planned a nice brunch for us all and one of DD's close friends and family came over too. We have a pool and the kids hung around for a while afterwards and swam, but that's about it.
The grandparents did give each child a small $$ gift, but it was totally unsolicited. I didn't send out invitations or announcements or anything like that.
We do have lots of local family (I've tallied 60 possible guests) and we're fairly involved in each other's lives. We tend to get together for holidays, 4th of July, and different portions try to get together monthly or so for dinner. Honestly, I hadn't thought much about it until DD mentioned some of her friends are having parties, and then a couple of relatives asked about it at Easter dinner.
So I guess we'll go ahead with the cook-out and softball, sending informal postcard invitations to those in the area.
Then I'll take a picture of her at the school's graduation dinner and send it to the family farther away--thanks for the suggestion, momtb4.
I appreciate the input. This board is always reassuring!
Dani
My family tends to make a big deal out of everything. I think we just love to get together. My folks came for both of my kids 8th grade graduations.
I know the rules of etiquette say to not put "no gifts" on invitations, however a kind "your presense, not your presents would honor us" might work. Or another thought which I see often is "In lieu or gifts please consider a donation to _______" and insert the name of your favorite organization.
I did not send invitations to those out of the area that I knew would not be attending.
My two cents :)
Audrey
http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com
Audrey :)
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Betty,
I don't disagree with you. I think of it as a "promotion" rather than a graduation. The school doesn't do caps and gowns, just a nice dinner with parents and special achievement recognitions.
I agree that we've taken away the good healthy competition factor by awarding participation trophies/ribbons/etc.--or by not keeping score for kids soccer or softball games. I think we need to teach our kids there are winners and there are losers at games; teach them to lose with grace and good sportsmanship, and that by working hard they could be a winner the next time.
Since we do have family gatherings regularly, I think it's okay to celebrate K's big move to high school with them. And since I'm bad about sending pictures to those we don't see often I'll send a picture to those out of town.
Thanks for your input.
Dani
Hey Dani,
Family BBQ is a great idea, really. I totally rail against the cap and gown thing for 8th grade. My DS will be promoting this June and b/c I'm PTA president my stance is wildly unpopular. I am so used to it I don't even flinch. I stood aside and let the freaky hoopla happen, but I am not participating in the least. Its out of control IMO. Same thing with the Prom.
Could NOT AGREE MORE with you about the sports thing. Again, being the coach, I stand aside and allow the ridiculous "trophy" BS the other parents have insisted on for years. Every year I register my complaint, but parents are hellbent on making their kid feel like a winner above all else. Those kids know the difference. And thank you for pointing out that being a winner is not the most important thing. Losing with grace is a far more important lesson to teach. I'll will gladly take a team full of losers who demonstrate good sportsmanship and class than a team of winnners without. In real life, there are indeed WINNERS and LOSERS, so kids better get used to it. Being a loser teaches you to try harder and change strategies.
Ok rant over. It is this thing with me.