May is graduation month, so it is always a good time to review
some graduation etiquette.
Let's begin with the difference
between a graduation announcement and an invitation to a graduation ceremony or
party.
If you receive a graduation
announcement, you are not required to send a gift to the graduate. You, of
course, may do so if you wish, receiving a gift is always nice, but you do not
have to. What is always a nice gesture is to send a card or note congratulating
the graduate for his/her accomplishment.
On the other hand, if you are
invited to the ceremony or the party, you must send or take with you a
gift to the event.
Another aspect that is always a delicate topic is who gets invited
to the actual commencement. Usually high school and college graduation ceremonies
have a limited number of invitations allotted per student.
Most family members will understand that it only allows for very
close members to attend, but always explain the situation to relatives so they don’t
feel they have been left out of this important family event. What is a delicate
way of dealing with this problem is to make sure that members from each side of
the family of the graduate attend.
If you have a close knit, large family that is used to big
celebrations, then hold a party after the graduation and make sure to invite
everyone so they all share the festivities!
