In neighborhoods across the community, it’s time to gear up for grad parties galore. Some will be low-key gatherings, while others will be all-out, over-the-top bashes. Grad parties have become a genre unto themselves, a rite of passage celebrated with gusto.
These events generate important seasonal revenue for caterers, party-décor stores, and rental companies. It’s a great way to support local businesses who bust their butt with details and deliveries, all within a matter of weeks.
These parties often prompt home improvements—after all, with hundreds of guests coming, there’s an expectation of fresh paint, impeccable flowerbeds, new carpet, and more, right?!. Thankfully, we didn’t fully buy into that frenzy.
Because I enjoy party planning, hosting creative shindigs that brought my kids’ visions to life was fun. While my efforts might be amateur compared to those who spare no detail, our parties were fun and well-attended. More importantly, our kids felt proud and supported as they embarked on their next chapters.
This weekend, we’ll attend a high school grad party for the son of a family friend who used to babysit our kids. We attended her grad party back in the day, along with her siblings’ parties. It’s heartwarming to see how grad parties connect us through generations and help us reconnect with family and friends.
I hope the pomp and circumstance of these parties don’t overshadow the real reason for the celebration: to commemorate the completion of K-12 education and the commencement of adult life.
While dictionaries and monogrammed pen-and-pencil sets are no longer the gifts du jour, what is? Beyond cash, today’s links du jour are full of ideas for gifts, parties and alternate celebrations.
Enjoy the parties!
Links Du Jour:
51 Graduation Gifts They’ll Actually Use And remember, a gift card fits everyone! – Oprah Daily
40 Best High School Graduation Gifts That Your Teen Will Actually Use They go beyond a cash gift! – The Pioneer Woman
No graduation party? No problem. One Mom Has Ideas for Alternative Celebrations – Your Teen magazine
Not Sure What Happened to My Plans for a Low-Key Graduation Party – Your Teen magazine
Two Minutes Du Jour 