Graduation Announcements, Invitations and Etiquette

Your graduation day is a time to celebrate your great achievement with your friends and family. Get your party started right with a great graduation invitation. If you’re not having a party, make sure you pick the perfect graduation announcement to send to your friends, family, clients, colleagues and business associates.

Some graduation etiquette
Some graduates host parties and others send announcements and still some do both. There is no right or wrong answer, just what will suit you best. Not everyone will be able to attend your ceremony. And not everyone one of your friends and family have to be invited to your graduation party. It is okay to keep your list small and send announcements to those not invited to the party. Much like wedding invitations and wedding announcements the guest list is up to you.

Also, while it is considered poor etiquette to mention gifts if you do receive a graduation gift it is imperative that you send a thank you note. Another helpful hint for graduation time is to send graduation invitations for an ‘open house.’ This will allow guests to come and go on a relaxed schedule making it easy for guests to attend a few different parties.

Graduation invitations
When sending your graduation invitation, make sure you don’t leave out a single detail. Time, place, date are a must, but you should also think about including a map, parking instructions, any special details about activities, whether children are invited and maybe even a note about the kid of food (if any) you’ll be serving. For example ‘please join us for out graduation barbecue...spouses, significant other and children are welcome’ works perfectly to get your point across.

One thing you should never mention in your invitation is gifts. Even if you are noting that gifts are not necessary. Your guests will decide whether or not to bring a gift. Another nice touch for your graduation invitation is an actual paper invitation. E-invitations should be saved for more casual occasions. Your guests will appreciate your taking the time to create a paper invitation for your graduation party.

Graduation announcements
If you are not having an actual party to celebrate your graduation, you should consider sending a graduation announcement. This lets your friends and family know about your accomplishment, much like a wedding announcement to engagement announcement. Announcements are also suitable for anyone that you are not inviting to your graduation party. Again, you should not mention gifts at all in your announcement. The announcement is just that, a note to announce your accomplishment, not a solicitation for gifts.

A graduation party doesn’t have to be a headache. Don’t forget, it is still a party. Make your plans early, get your graduation invitations and graduation announcements in mail and you’ll be on your way for a great party. Keep in mind that some other graduates may be planning their parties on the same day so your best bet might be to pick a day after the actual graduation or host an open house for your graduation party.

Graduation Invitations
Check out MyExpression.com for great graduation invitations and graduation announcements.