Graduation is a big deal. After spending so much time and effort to get that fancy bit of paper, most folks recognize it as a serious life achievement. It’s one of those things that we rightly choose to celebrate, and long may it continue!
There are lots of takes on this area, but most would agree that a bunch of congratulations flowers is a nice opening touch. Then there’s the question of how to celebrate at home, with most close family and friends in attendance.
The Old-Fashioned Approach
The traditional way of going about these kinds of things can often be the best approach, and they have certainly stood the test of time. In this case, your options can range from having a family gathering with some snacks to a full-on home party.
There’s no right way to do it, and much of the decision will be down to the personality of the graduate themselves. A nice backyard grill can work very well for a lot of folks, and provided you’re in a warmer area, it can be a real winner.
It’s the sort of option which gives you a lot of scopes. You could invite-only a select group, or go the whole hog and have a large party. If you’ve got the space and the sun, your options are wide open with the traditional grill.
The nice thing about the backyard grill is that it can take so many forms. It could be very small and exclusive to family, or it could be a real rock n’ roll affair with music and adult beverages on offer. It can also be themed in almost any way you’d like.
The Slideshow
Whether or not you’ve opted for a large group, it’s always a bit of teasing fun to have a slideshow featuring your new graduate’s progression from infant to where they are now. It’s a little embarrassing and also a very affectionate way to go.
The nice thing about the slideshow is that it’s so open to all kinds of applications. You can use it as an opener to a larger party to follow, or you can cap off a great evening with it. You can also tailor the content in loads of different ways.
It’s a feature that can be applied in various ways, according to who the graduate is and what they will respond to. As the nearest and dearest, you’re the only one who will be able to specialize in this particular sense.
It can have a slightly parental tone, where you focus on childhood photos in a sentimental sort of way, for example. Or, it can have a more serious and austere tone, focusing on achievement and the future. It can be a blend of both, as well.
The Modern Video Party
If you want to have a more private and family-first approach to your celebrations, you can easily include members from around the country or even the world. Video conferencing allows us to do this, and it’s fast becoming a real bonus for informal meetings as well.
Another excellent use of the video conference might be to briefly include other members of the graduating year. If the graduation is from college, then it’s likely that other graduates will be all over the country, so it might be a novel idea to bring them together in this way.
Inclusivity is a basic premise for any party, although sometimes it’s nice to have a smaller and more private gathering. With the video party, there’s the option of bringing together far-flung folks to at least briefly partake in the celebrations.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating life’s milestones is an age-old practice, and we’re unlikely to tire of it anytime soon. It’s our way of acknowledging that one of our own is doing well and a way to praise them for this success.
Finding novel ways to express this ancient habit is a big part of the fun involved, and there are no limits to what you can do, creatively speaking. Ultimately, it should be down to what kind of personality we’re celebrating.
Some folks are raucous and rowdy and would suit something along those lines. Some others are quieter and reserved and would probably appreciate a celebration of a more muted kind. To each their own, as they say.
