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Tips For Navigating Graduation Season

800px-Graduation_GirlGraduation season is coming up and there are a host of parties to be planned, invitations to send, and gifts to give and receive.  While it is most important to enjoy this time and look forward to the future with anticipation, there is some graduation etiquette that should be kept in mind.  Below are some helpful hints for graduates who are planning for the big day and gifts ideas that won’t break the bank for guests.

Announcements and Invitations

For Grads: It is important to know that these are two very different items.  Announcements are not invitations and should be sent out after your graduation.  They include information about your degree and should be sent to more people rather than less.  The idea is to share your exciting news with as many as might care to know, even if you have not been in close contact recently.

 


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Invitations are just that; they are invitations to the graduation.  These should be sent out around 4 weeks in advance and should include the appropriate information and details.  Be sure that your guests know about any seating constraints.

For Guests: If you receive a graduation announcement, it is appropriate to give a gift, but not required.  It is best to at least acknowledge the announcement by sending a note of congratulations.  Continue reading below for graduation gift ideas.

Graduation Parties

For Grads: If you are having a party, invitations should be sent to local friends and family three to four weeks before the date and out-of-town relatives and friends at least six weeks in advance.  Remember that it is alright to hang out with your friends at the party, but it is important to spend quality time with your relatives as your big day means a lot to them.

For Guests: If you got a graduation party invitation and not an invitation to the graduation itself, do not be offended.  Space is often limited and the graduate probably just wanted to invite you to an event at which they could actually get a chance to talk to you.

Gifts

For Grads: It is important to send notes to thank your friends and family for gifts.  The notes do not have to be long or complicated, but they should specifically mention the gift.  If the gift was cash, it is a nice touch to mention what you will be spending it on.  For those who have been a source of love and support throughout your life, mention in your note what they have meant to you.  Send the notes out as soon as possible.  If you opened the gift in front of the giver, a thank you note is not necessary.

For Guests: No matter your budget, there is always a way you can show support for the graduate.  Giving money is not required; you can give something that is sentimental or find out what your grad is doing in the future and give a gift that fits their need.  Here is a list of some gift ideas for graduates:

  • Personal gifts can include a thoughtfully written letter, a family keepsake, or something that is sentimental to you and your graduate.  Make sure they know how much you mean to them and give them something that will remind them of their loved ones while they are away.
  • Practical gifts can take into account what the graduate is doing next.  High school graduates getting ready for dorm life may need school supplies, laundry items, or a laptop.  College graduates may need a briefcase for their entrance into corporate life or house-warming type gifts for their new place.
  • Gifts that can help them in the future might include buying them stocks, setting them up with a resume writing service, or giving them a book on their future field of study/career.
  • Giving money is simplest, but if you want to dress it up a bit, you can give your grad rolls of quarters, cash folded in a wallet, or a giant, oversized check.

Whatever you end up giving your graduate, do not forget that it is most important to them that you show your support and encouragement as they look toward their future.

For these and other ideas about graduations and gifts, visit the links below:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/05/04/graduation-etiquette-101/

http://www.statesman.com/life/graduation-etiquette-tips-from-lizzie-post-621736.html

http://khtsam.wpengine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24743&Itemid=0

Tips For Navigating Graduation Season

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