Grad party?

[kristilynnmy]

I recently graduated from college with my BFA and in July I'll be starting Grad school. I went back to school when I was 27 and I'm now 31. Some of my family really want me to have a graduation party. I wasn't going to have one because I'm *old* and not officially done since I'm going to get my masters. I also feel bad about taking away a persons Saturday and having them bring me a gift (which is usually monetary). Finishing was a huge accomplishment for me being that I'm older, I went through one semester pregnant then my senior year with a one year old so maybe I do deserve a little celebration. Should I just do it and maybe I can put on the invite "please no gifts" or something like that? (I mean money would be nice to help me get a new laptop but I feel bad). It would be nice to have everyone over and just hang out!

[emoflamingo]

I would do it. Just put the "no gifts please, your presence is enough" on the bottom in small print.

Congrats! I did the pregnant/small child thing just to get my BA and it was rough. I considered, for a short time, going for my masters but I realized that would be even harder with DS in school, H in school (he is finishing up his Bachelors of business administration still, going part time) AND having a baby in the house.

[aweilba]

I agree with emo. Have a party, but ask that people don't bring gifts. It's a huge accomplishment that you deserve to celebrate with friends and family. Congrats!

[bethaboo]

You definitely deserve a party! (And, fwiw, I did a graduation party for both my BA and my MA, but my family is big on the party thing.) But, like the others said, you can specify "no gifts please" on the invitation.

[tarheels]

Pleeeeeeease don't write "no gifts, please" on the invite. My inner Miss Manners is weeping. Parties aren't about gifts and writing that on there says, "well, I just know you're all dying to give me gifts, but I'm going to be modest and tell you no now." Writing it actually creates the, "Oh, heck, does she mean it? Should I get her a gift? Maybe a small one?" conundrum. If you'd like to do something, invite people over for dinner, but don't make it a party about graduation.

FWIW, it would never occur to me (unless, of course, I was prompted by the "no gifts, please" tagline) to give a graduation gift to a 30 yo woman - and I'm a 30 yo woman who's gone back to school!

[annadala]

You deserve a party!!

In my experience people who want to give gifts will give them anyway so the "no gifts" thing just makes the people who followed it feel bad.

[housegeek]

May 28, 2012 10:09:59 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Pleeeeeeease don't write "no gifts, please" on the invite. My inner Miss Manners is weeping. Parties aren't about gifts and writing that on there says, "well, I just know you're all dying to give me gifts, but I'm going to be modest and tell you no now." Writing it actually creates the, "Oh, heck, does she mean it? Should I get her a gift? Maybe a small one?" conundrum. If you'd like to do something, invite people over for dinner, but don't make it a party about graduation.

FWIW, it would never occur to me (unless, of course, I was prompted by the "no gifts, please" tagline) to give a graduation gift to a 30 yo woman - and I'm a 30 yo woman who's gone back to school!

:Y: :Y: