Should I Have a Graduation Party?

Why? Does he want a party? Do you want a party? How big of a party? Do you plan to have a party in 2 years if and when he completes his degree? Two college grad parties seem overboard for me, but that is just my opinion.

Personally, I would not have a party and my new college grad would cringe if I had suggested one.

I went to a couple of receptions for high school grads but no college grads and I know a bunch of them.

Not one of any of the many friends who recently graduated from college in May with my daughter had parties. At MOST, a small group of friends would go celebrate with dinner or brunch. Their celebrations were mostly the celebrations of the new jobs and careers they were soon to be embarking on, not the college graduation. Each of them had already signed contracts as long as a year ago accepting jobs to begin in June and that is what they were celebrating.

I celebrated with my daughter at brunch, just us, reflecting on her hard work, how proud I am of her and how proud her dad would be if he were still alive. There was no need for us to have a party, get recognition or gifts.

That said, there are no rules. If you want a party and he wants a party.... throw a party.

My answer is: it depends. It depends on what he wants. It depends on whether it's to get a few people together to celebrate and encourage him to go on especially if he has struggled or had special obstacles in any way (good things) or if it's a big gift grab (bad thing). If you have a big blow-out party now, you can't come back in 2 years when he gets his Bachelor's and do it again. Many of his friends are doing 4 years in one place and not having anything at the "halfway mark" but that doesn't mean you can't have a few relatives over for a BBQ get-together. But if it seems like they have to bring gifts and then you do it again in 2 years, I think it will backfire on you and hurt your son's standing in people's eyes.

This really depends on family and cultural factors.

When I was growing up, in my family, there was always an "expectation" that people went to college and most likely on to grad school after that. For *myself*, I did not really feel like "celebrating my accomplishments" until I was really done with *school* - grad school. Prior to that time, I just kept chugging along, lol. A graduation dinner with my parents and maybe a special gift from my parents (a necklace, etc) was what I received after high school and college. For *myself*, I never even requested a party.

So I say that to mean - think about whether your son might be *embarrassed* by a party. Unintentionally maybe making it seem like 2 years of college is "as good as it gets" for him.

But certainly many children are "the first in their family to graduate from college" or struggled academically in such a way that each hurdle truly deserves to be celebrated.

And, some children and their friends love hosting parties! Just easygoing casual parties.

I think the only definite "no" is: a gift grab for formal college graduation gifts if another is likely to occur in two years.

What does he want? In my opinion if he's transferring to complete a four year degree it makes more sense to celebrate when he's actually done, not when he's halfway there.

I agree with B. Celebrating accomplishments along the way is kind of nice. You don't have to go all out. Just something to let him know you're proud of him and to let him celebrate with friends (and family) - whatever he wants, that is reasonable - good for him :)

Welcome to mamapedia, TubaMom.

No. If he's going on to George Mason or one of the other local universities for his bachelors? No. You have a party when he gets his bachelors.

If you want to take him out to celebrate his AA? Go for it.

do you want a party?

does he want a party?

if the answer to both is 'yes', then why not?
khairete
S.

If he is graduating from community college and can’t do anything with the degree until he earns his bachelors degree then I would just take him to dinner now and save the party for when he’s earned his 4 year degree.

If he is going on to complete a BA/BS, then no.

What does your son want to do?
Why not throw a party for him?
A 2 year degree is still an accomplishment even if he will go on to make further accomplishments.

I would not have a big party for him. Instead I’d do a nice get together for a few good family and/or friends to celebrate his achievement.

No. The party is for after he gets his bachelor degree.

I vote no....way back when, I graduated from a Comm Coll and then went to a 4 year. I only had a party after the 4 year degree. This sounds like just a stepping stone. You could take him out to dinner to celebrate, but no party until the big degree.

BIG party? No - save THE graduation party for the 4 year. BUT - a celebration of AA completion? Sure - just you guys, or a small group at the most. Recognize the achievement as a stepping stone.