May is a month full of exciting celebrations as the next generation of leaders celebrate their graduations. It’s also a month full of graduation ceremonies, parties, and announcements.
Here are my tips for navigating this graduation season:
Graduation Gifts. If you’ve received a graduation announcement or invitation, a thoughtful gesture is recommended. While it is common to send cash, you can get creative with a picture frame, dorm appliance, or a handwritten note.
Ceremony Invitations. Many schools restrict the number of guests a student is allowed to invite to the ceremony based on the venue capacity. Before sending out your graduation invitations, confirm with a representative from the school. If you are limited to a small guest list, invite family and friends to join you after the ceremony for light refreshments.
The Ceremony. Arrive to the ceremony 20-30 minutes early to protect a buffer of time for parking and locating your seats. If you have been invited to celebrate the achievement, plan to attend the entire ceremony. Leaving the ceremony early may disrupt the other families from enjoying the celebration.
Graduation Parties. Typically, a graduation party is hosted on behalf of the graduate within a 2-week window of the graduation ceremony. If you have received an invitation, notify the host as soon as you know if you will be able to attend. This can be a very emotional time for the family of the graduate and submitting your RSVP in a timely matter helps them coordinate with ease. If you are not able to attend, send your best wishes or a small gift in your place.
