graduation etiquette, seniors beware!

Graduation is coming faster than we know it whether it be a high school or college graduation, they both need recoginizing.

With all the items that need purchasing, and need to be done along with dates being set, how do you know when and how soon to do all those things. What is the timeline that things like when should invites be sent. When should I choose the exact date that the graduation will be?

My daughter is graduating from high school this spring and while I was looking up some questions for myself, I thought I would share what Emily Post says is Etiquette for stuff concering graduation.

How much should you spend on a gift?.. Emily says that anywhere from $20-$100. A good gift would be one that the graduate could charish for years to come. If you recieve a simple announcement that someone has graduated, it is not required that you gift them, but if you recieve the actual graduation invitation, then per etiquette, you should make sure to at least send a gift if you are unable to attend.

And don't forget to send out those thank you cards for those graduates recieving gifts. The sooner the better.

How soon should all those invites go out?.. Post says they should go out at least 6-8 weeks prior to the event.

As Emily's site did not have much information on graduation etiquette, I went to www.party411.com for more etiquette information for those that are graduating or parents with graduating children.

Graduation announcements should be sent to those that are close friends and family members, unless the notation "No gifts please" has been added. (A rough rule to follow would be this: Send announcements only to those people who already know that your son or daughter is graduating.) A graduation announcement differes from a graduation invitation in that the invitation actually invites them to the ceremony where as the announcement is just letting others know that they are graduating.

When planning the graduate patry, choose a theme that shows what your graduate's plans are for the future. Some ideas would be to decorate with your child's college theme. You can have a simple open house or an organized party such as a roast or buffet dinner.

So, there are some things to keep in mind as graduation is creeping upon us all.