Hello Mamas,
My daughter is graduating from Kindergarten at the end of this month. We have been very proud of her throughout the whole year. She has done an awesome job on everything. She is the 1st grandchild on both sides of the family. We are going to have a little get together for her at our home the weekend after her last day at school. I am just wondering what you ladies think is a good idea about going about this. I do not expect gifts for my daughter and I do not wish for family to bring gifts. I more or less just want everyone to be able to come and congratulate her on an awesome job.
To those of you who think this is not a big deal....
There are children that are not continuing on to the next grade and have to retake Kindergarten. Do any of you have a Kindergartener? In Kindergarten my daughter has learned to read, spell, and has began math. These are the basics of building an education. Where would any child be if they did not learn the basics. And I do not think one graduation party is going to lead to having to have a party at the end of every school year. Do you have a birthday party EVERY year? No. This is the same basic concept. And yes I plan to also do this when my other children graduate Kindergarten. In our family, we have celebrations for the people we are proud of! Please do not ridicule me and my family for showing our pride in our daughter!
There really is no way to say "don't bring gifts" if you are sending invitations. Family will probably want to bring her a gift becasue that's what grandparents do :)
I would continue the desire to learn and create either a scrapbook, picture book, or letter book. Guests would be asked to participate in making her book. You can make something on Snapfish.com or Shutterfly.com. The guests could write her a letter and you could keep them in a scrapbook. I've also heard of heard of people giving books instead of cards at parties. Kindergartners love to celebrate different events, so maybe she could read a small book at her party, teach her family how to sing one of her songs, etc.
No I don't think this is a good idea.
This is where our children get the idea of entitlement when they really haven't done anything. Seriously - Graduation from Kindergarten? Who fails kindergarten these days? While you may be very proud of your child- What do you think she has done that is so "awesome". Stop making her think that shes done some great feat - when she hasn't. Real graduation happens at the end of high school - that's why they call it K- K12. You have a milestone to celebrate at 8th grade and then finally high school. This is just one step for your daughter starting her journey. If you want to celebrate this with a mother/daughter/father grandmother thingy then go do it. But don't fill her mind up with false praise and celebrations and certainly don't subject others to having to come to a kindergarten graduation party.
I would do a cute invitation or e-vite and say "no gifts, thank you" at the bottom. Or, instead of gifts, you could suggest a small donation to her favorite charity. For example, my 4-year old and I save our extra change and once the container is full, we donate it to Feed the Children. Have fun!
I sent invitations to a housewarming party - totally different, I know - but I just put on there, " Please, no gifts. Your presence is present enough." Yep, I'm a total nerd. :-) Either that or you could have it be potluck style. If they bring food, they won't feel funny not bringing a gift.
You can pick up one of those stuffed graduation dogs from a party supply store and have everyone sign it when they arrive at the party. That maybe a fun thing for her to receive. Or you can put together a special scrapbook filled with pictures from her kindergarten year and ask everyone who shows up at the party to maybe decorate one of the pages or write a little note to her about one of their favorite memories from her this past year.
Well maybe you can just have a BBQ type party send e-mails to family and friends instead of invites and it might make it not so formal tell them what your doing and that you wish for no gifts even though the grandparents will probabley giver her a little something. Have a cake for sure though :)
The graduation from preschool and the graduation from Kindergarten are very important and special days for children! You definitely should do a little celebration. You might consider a keepsake that all the friends and family members can sign for your daughter. Perhaps a memory book, or a big poster you can laminate. If you are crafty, perhaps even quilting sqares. Even a t-shirt that everyone could sign would be fun.
I definitely don't think anyone would ridicule you for celebrating a special day! Congratulations to your daughter for completing Kindergarten. It's important for children to feel proud of their accomplishments! This is only the beginning of preparing her for many other accomplishments in her life, and each one should be marked and celebrated in different ways.
Well you could make an invitation that mentions no gifts and if they feel that they have to give something then what about starting a savings account (there are sooo many options for high interest rate long term savings or investments...) for her - toward college or travel or...
Maybe at the party set up a silly hat area or all her favorite stuffed animals and have a photo printer and some frames. She could make all kinds of dress up pictures with the family and keep them to remember the event - and for the proud grandparents too of course!
Congratulations to your little girl!
Why not just name the party "start of the summer party" like y'know a regular Memorial day party (or whenever the party will be held). If you really dont want gifts, just don't call it a graduation party - I mean, seriously, you don't "graduate" from kindergarten - that is belittling what a real graduation is. You can write on the invite that your daughter has worked really hard and had a great year and we want to celebrate the start of the summer...etc.
Graduating from kindergarten? Wow, we never heard of such a thing in our day...as another poster stated it is kind of belittling graduation...I loved the idea of another having a beginning of summer party...but people will be obligated to bring gifts if you're sending out invitations. Plus, will she EXPECT a party at the end of every school year? What makes kindergarten so special? Maybe you'll choose to do a party at the end of every school year...but just keep it to immediate family, otherwise people will really feel obligated...many people are "proud" of their children or grand children...but usually it's ONLY the immediate family that feels that way. Will you do the same if there are more children in the family or is this it? I could see a high school graduation party...now thats an accomplishment, but kindergarten......................................???
When my daughter had her first birthday, I asked those closest to her to give her a copy of the book that left an impression on them either as a child, young adult or adult. I then asked them to write something to her inside the cover. She now has hard back copies of Pat the Bunny, Nancy Drew, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women and a few others. I'm on board with celebrating, but I would personally focus it towards showing her how prepared she is for grade school, then it's more about looking forward to something amazing that only big kids get to do and celebrating that she has earned this accomplishment. Let us know what you do!
I think it's a great idea. Recognition for a job well done is encouraging at any age. If you don't want your daughter to expect a big party every year, just explain to her that sometimes celebrations come after major milestones ( the end of middle school, high school, college, ect.). She's smart and will understand. Also, when I really don't want people to give gifts, I tell them that if they really feel the need to give; hand made cards and gifts will be accepted. Some people will get very creative with out spending.
For my daughter's Kindergarten graduation I asked all the parents to send me 3 pics of their child at school/ during the past year. I then put them on a powerpoint with music (Song - Let them Be Little) and gave everyone a copy. My daughter is now 11, she still watches it. And it doesn't even matter if those kids are still around her or in the grade below, she LOVES it.
As for the celebration, a family dinner a few key presents would be fine, they will bring gifts. But you can be in control of the gifts. Why not ask for a book series, (I LOVE the I want to Know about series- i don't know if they are still available). My daughter is 14 and still reads them. Yes they are a very easy read but the info is till great! You can assign everyone a book or 2 that they will bring and contribute to the collection. They can inscribe it to her and it will be a nice treat. DO NOT get something that she will only read now. Get a series that will mean something to her for years to come. Info books are always best.
B.
Success Coach
