HS graduation --need idea for honoring graduate

13 years ago

I am planning a dinner before my daughter's upcoming graduation. There will be about 25 people attending the dinner, more family friends and neighbors and people who have known her since she was a baby.

I am trying to think of some fun and easy way that the people coming can honor my daughter. Of course people will be giving her graduation cards but I was thinking of something people could in some way make or contribute to while they were at the dinner, which she could then have and hopefully, look at (or read, or??) in the years up ahead.

I was thinking of something along the lines of everyone contributing to a list of her greatest qualities ........but I am trying to think of some way to make that more fun! Like something unusual people could write the qualities on (or in,) or even have people interviewed on video, but that seems kinda complicated.........your ideas?

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Comments (3)

gellchom
13 years ago
You could ask each guest to write out a favorite memory about your daughter (in advance, not at the dinner), and then put them in a pretty album for her. Whenever we have done that in our family, the album has been a real treasure. Asking people to help write up "a list of her greatest qualities" seems a little much.

Congratulations to your family! Is this high school, college, advanced degree?
diinohio
13 years ago
We did a memory book and a video for my parents 50th anniv. I asked the guests prior to the event to write anything they wanted (memories, congrats, anecdotes etc.) then put them in a wedding album. It was fun to read what everyone wrote. I think you could do this at the party too,since it's family and friends just have cards or paper and pens available and after eating everyone could just jot down what ever they wish to say to the graduate. Later you can put together an album or do a scrapbook type thing for her to keep.

For the video we had one person go from table to table (after eating)and record a message from each guest, again short and sweet.

Both make nice keepsakes.
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daisy -we just had our first student pass the new GED2014 test, which is much, much more difficult than the previous test. And he passed each section with honors no less! The class brought in a mortar board for him and made him a poster. I don't know when I've EVER felt more proud, including my own kids' achievements. There are so many complicated reasons that kids don't graduate from hs, and many people know nothing about them. In his case, he had such severe anxiety in hs that he finally just dropped out in his junior year, as he was often unable to even make it to school or through the day. He did nothing for a year, and of course his mom was just desperate. He came to us in January, with so little confidence he could barely be heard when he spoke, and wouldn't look anyone in the eye. We treated him with respect and gentleness, and nudged him along, and he blossomed. Not only did he pass all sections the first time with honors (which will allow him to attend college), but as his mom says, "He is a completely different person." He looks people in the eye, is funny and charming, and the entire class loves him. He came back to the class just to host a Q&A session about the test since he was our first 2014 student. I'll remember him forever. Ironically, he actually got his GED 2 weeks before his high school class graduated!
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I gave both of my kids a grad party when they graduated from HS. Both were essentially the same. Sunday afternoon around 2 pm. Lots (LOTS) of munchies - chips, dips, veggies, cookies, brownies, cheese, that sort of thing. No activities were planned. I invited my close friends, and they invited their friends. I served wine for the adults, cokes for the kids. Everyone sat around munching & schmoozing and a good time was had by all. Simple. For gifts, I recommend things that have to do with the college they will be going to (for those who are going). T-shirt, sweat shirt, rug for dorm room, blanket, etc, with college logo. If they are going away to another city, books with information on that city. Mostly my kids got checks for gifts, but a few people gave them what I just named above and they liked those gifts a lot.
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these are great ideas. I talked to her mom today (my DD) and she said she's not much of a bag person. She also mentioned what my granddaughter wanted for her 18th birthday, very shortly after her graduation . . . a tattoo! lol. She would get it on her shoulder or some other easily concealed place, and she wants a flower tattoo -- her name is a flower name, (e.g., her name is Rose so she would get a rose tattoo); so it's pretty hard to say it wouldn't be appropriate and lasting. So many bad tattoos out there though . . . will have to talk to her. And of course, the thing I have not done is ask her directly what she wants for her graduation, which I plan to do. She'll probably say money, though . .
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I have a little book called "Happy Thoughts". It's not heavy, mind altering stuff...but it's sweet and light. "Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is." Hale My sister, 10 years my senior, read, "Le Petite Prince" for her French class. Then passed it along to me when she was done. I was 8yo. But it's the same idea....a book telling you to be happy. It's a sweet childrens book. It would be a GREAT gift!
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sharon_fl
13 years ago
Another idea...
Since the guests are folks who've know her since babyhood...when you send out the invites-include a page from a smaller sized photo album (one with 2-3 ring holes so it can be inserted by her the day of the celebration. The size of the album should have pages that will hold the photo & memory card on the 1 page. Print a'what to do' directions to include with the invite (send in a manilla envelope to fit the photo page)stating to please place a photo of her they have taken, and also include a recipe sized card for them to write down what the occasion was when the photo was taken and/or what special meaning it has for them. If they don't have any photo (from birth thru the present-perhaps you or another family member would give that person one to use.
Then...(you still with me? LOL) place a ladder at the party location-place an 8x10 photo of her (Sr photo?) on the very top of the ladder with a sign under it saying :
"___'s (her name) Ladder of Life".
You can tie cording to each side of the ladder, with clothespins threaded on it (to hold the photo/memory cards that each guest brings. A little sign dividing the rungs of the ladder into sections (Babyhood, Toddlerhood, Elementary, High School)-guests would pin their page of the album into the section when the photo was taken, along w/their memory card.
You can decorate the sides of the ladder with bows, school colors or party colors.
You'd give her the empty album when she gets ready to open cards-have her read each & then place it in that section of her Memory Album.
I've done this w/all 3 of my children & a couple nieces & nephews-well received by all and a treasured album for the graduate!

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HS graduation --need idea for honoring graduate

Comments (3)

gellchom

diinohio

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sharon_fl

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