Six Steps To Ordering Graduation Party Invitations
With more than three million high school students graduating in the Spring in the United States each year It’s easy to see why many of us spend our Spring weekends attending graduation open houses for graduating seniors of friends and family. Graduation season is indeed fun, it can also be a bit busy and stressful if one of the students happens to be for your own senior. Decinding on your party theme does not need to be overwhelming. Just follow these steps to take you from the initial plan to mailing the invitations to sending thank you cards.
1. Party Theme
First, decide what type of graduation party you want to plan. You can hold two separate parties, one for relatives and one for friends. Another way is to hold a single large party for everyone. While some groups of families and friends allow for a formal sit-down dinner or restaurant party, others need the kind of space you find in your backyard. You can even throw a potluck supper or other type of informal affair. An open house is a flexible option if you plan to celebrate the graduation at home.
2. Create a Plan
Decide which one of you will be responsible for the graduation party. While some graduating seniors like to be a part of the planning, others prefer to leave it up to their mom and dad. Finding out what your graduate prefers before you proceed with party arrangements will prevent disagreements.
3. Establish the Time, Date and Place
While the day of graduation is the most popular date for graduation festivities, you may wish to select an alternate date. You don’t want your guests to have to rush around to attend multiple events. You also don’t want your graduate to miss a friend’s party in order to host their own party. If you have to have the party on graduation weekend, consider Sunday afternoon. Don’t rule out the weekends before and after graduation either as they may be less hectic. If graduation Saturday is your only option, consider an open house. Start a few hours after the graduation ceremony and party on into the early evening. This will give your guests plenty of time to stop by and enjoy your event.
4. Chose a Party Venue
Spring weather in late May and early June is generally nice in most parts of the United States. After being in-doors up all winter, having an outdoor graduation party will be wwelcomed by all who attend. You can have your graduation gathering in the backyard, at a community center or the neighborhood swimming pool. Other popular party locations include restaurants and churches. Consider both the size of your guest list and convenience when selecting the perfect place for your party.
5. The Guest List
Who do you invite to the party? Everyone who will be happy to share in your graduate’s commencement! Standard choices are family and close friends (of both the parents and the graduate). Invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers or friends from church or the country club.
To avoid hard feelings, make sure your invitations are addressed to indicate exactly who is invited. For example, if you are inviting a friend of your graduates, you may want to address the invitation to “Harold and Patty Haines and Family,” or even just “The Haines.” If you address it with just the graduates name, the parents feel they are not invited to your event.
6. Creating, Ordering And Sending Invitations
You may be able to buy graduation party invitations from your child’s school along with graduation announcements. A more creative, personalized and generally less expensive option is to order your graduation party invitations from an online invitation and greeting card store. Design the graduation party invitation using your graduates school colors or choose one that fits with the your theme. You can even customize the invitation with a photo of your graduate.
Include all of the pertinent information about your party, including your son or daughter’s name, the date of the party, time and place of the party. You may also wish to include the school name, the graduation year and an RSVP. In general, open houses do not require an RSVP. If you are planning a formal dinner, hiring a caterer or renting a special location, you may want a pre-party count of those who plan to attend.
Send your graduation party invitations at least three weeks before your party. To accomodate out of town guests who need to make travel plans, be sure to send your invitations much earlier. If you’re short on time, some online vendors will address, print and send your graduation party invitations within one business day.
Buy a couple of extra graduation announcements or party invitations and additional extra thank you cards. Thank you cards should be written and sent no more than a month after your party. To make the process easy, create a list of who and what they gave you as you open your graduation cards.
Each gift, whether sent by mail or delivered in person, should be acknowledged with a thank you card. Write about the specific gift in your note. If you receive money, do not mention the specific amount, but do mention how you intend to spend your graduation gift.