<p>Hi, just curious to other parents thoughts regarding sending out high school graduation announcements? We have some "controversy" with other family members and just curious what others think - to send or not to send? and if to send then to whom? Any feedback is very much appreciated. Just curious. THANKS!</p>
<p>I personally think they are kind of silly, and look like you’re fishing for gifts. I mean, one EXPECTS your kid to graduate from high school, right?</p>
<p>No. Looks like gift grubbing. Now, if you are inviting someone to a party or to the event, go for it. </p>
<p>We have few family members and they are far-flung and would not be able to attend. I don’t see anything wrong with an announcement in that case. </p>
<p>This topic has been discussed here quite a bit, as you might imagine. :)</p>
<p>There was a recent thread, in fact. I’d suggest taking a look at that.</p>
<p>I have never received a graduation announcement, and never sent one. I agree that it would look like gift grubbing, at least in our circles. But one thing that emerged from the recent thread was that the practice may be regional.</p>
<p>Thanks all - TranquilMind we have NO family where we are currently located and have lived in 5 homes over 18 years. We included “no gifts” in the announcement for the very reason ordinarylives stated. However we have had multiple friends over the years having moved around so much with hubby’s job asking about our son - so since our son was a rep for the senior pic photographer they made a handful with his senior pics in them. Our thoughts were that those who hadn’t seen him in ages might appreciate seeing how he has grown and what he plans to do after high school. Interesting feedback and so glad I asked. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Thanks Consolation - I am new to the CC site so I will check out other threads. I didn’t realize that. Appreciate the feedback.</p>
<p>Announcements are still the norm in our area. We chose to send them to our most involved family members and a handful of close friends. Personally, I love to get them from children I’ve watched grow up and in that case, I usually send a small monetary gift because I am truly excited for them and know that even 10 bucks can help. On rare occasion, I get them from people we barely know and in those cases, I just send an email or card with our hearty congrats (no gift.) </p>
<p>In a time where we over-celebrate the routine and expected, seems weird to gloss over a real milestone. Graduating high school is not so difficult or unusual these days BUT, it’s still a huge transition. Most graduating kids we know are leaving home for the first time. Even those that are staying at home and going to community college or straight into the work force are facing new expectations and responsibilities… the fear of having to figure out who they are and what they will spend their life doing. They all deserve a good send off in my book.</p>
<p>So, I don’t see any reason not to send an announcement to those who have had an active role in your child’s life. If it makes you more comfortable to tag it with “no gifts please” then do so.</p>
<p>I sent graduation announcements to a handful of family members. The announcements were “post card” style with the grad’s senior picture taking up most of the card. The graduation date was printed underneath. DH and I were the only family in attendance at the our two S’s graduations. The relatives I sent announcements to enjoyed seeing the pics. Immediate family members sent small gifts but they would have done that without the announcements. </p>
<p>Send them to family and close friends. Good news is always welcome! I’ve always enjoyed seeing how the kids have grown and what they’re going to do. I’d hate NOT getting them!
Not everyone considers them as gift grubbing–that’s up to the receiver to respond as they wish.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone; I too NEVER thought of gift grubbing - in fact never even heard that before today. We only have a handful and know some who would like to know how he is doing; living in 5 different areas we have kept in touch with a handful of people over the years; Christmas cards, that type of thing and I think they would appreciate seeing his senior pics in the form of a postcard with where he is going to college. Again thanks!</p>
<p>As an Uncle I liked receiving out of state notifications like this. As an Uncle I see it as my place to send congratulations and a gift. If there was a party, at the home I went. My son is having a townwide party with 4 other pals (apparently that’s what this town does …) and it will be huge 500 ppl. I’ve verbally invited a few family members from out of state but don’t expect any to attend something like this. If it was at our home I would.</p>
<p>I was happy to get announcements from the kids of my far-flung high school, college and grad school friends. It’s fun to keep up. Send the kid $20 and a card and enjoy sharing life’s moments with your old friends. </p>
<p>I too, enjoy getting them from my far away friends and, especially, far away family. My family would be hurt if I didn’t send them. In fact, one that was sent to aunt must have been lost in the mail. I got an email from another aunt mentioning that Auntie didn’t get one. I sent another out right away and sent her an email to let her know it was not intentional. </p>
<p>It is not the norm in our area, but we have received them from friends and family that live in other areas. I think it is fine if they are sent to family and close friends, but probably not to the entire Christmas Card list. </p>
<p>I live in MN and have never known anyone who didn’t send them. Also extremely common to hold an “open house” party near graduation which has a separate invite. </p>
<p>Interesting to hear differently. </p>
<p>We didn’t send them–only invitations to a party. A few of those invitations did go to relatives who almost certainly would not be able to come to the party.</p>
<p>Thanks -we have decided to send the few we have - we aren’t having a party - we gave him the option of having a party or we would take the $$$ and go on a trip. So we are going on a trip. (-: He is from a large class of 648 so he figures he will go to enough parties and wanted to go on a family trip - corny to some I am sure but this was 100% his decision. And for those who think it is money “grubbing” or whatever we have included a “no gift” in the announcement. These were done by the photographer and I know there are some who would like to see his senior pics. Thanks again everyone; interesting feedback and is so much appreciated!</p>