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Thread: How would you combine a graduation/birthday.

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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    My oldest will be graduating highschool in June, its been a LONG 4 years for him and he's worked hard. He will also be turning 18 six days after he graduates. We'd like to throw him a party but are undecided at which way to go with the 'theme'. He wants to combine the two but Im stuck as to how. Should the cake read Happy 18th or Congratulations.? Should the invites be inviting family to celebrate his birthday *becoming an adult* or his graduation. what kind of decorations do we use? if the event is in July, how far in advance do we send the invites out. considering most ppl start planning their vacations for the summer soon. would it be weird to include a 'save the date' card with the invite for ppl to throw on their fridge so its not forgotten about. and one more thing whats considered good etiquette for giving to their date on the nite of the prom. corsage? wrist bracelet? he does not have a girlfriend, so if he does work up the nerve to ask someone (he does have someone in mind) we'd like to make sure he does it right. ykwim. thanks in advance for any help.
    This thread is currently associated with: Cake Beauty
    Last edited by MrsSunshine; Sun, Feb 26th, 2012 at 10:46 AM.
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    Mastermind Lynn49's Avatar
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    Wow....first of all...congratulations to your son!!

    Regarding whether to have a graduation or birthday celebration, if he's okay with combining the two, a "Let's Celebrate!" invitation would be perfect! And sending or emailing out a "save the date" note, is appropriate. Then follow it with a 'formal' invitation, preferably in the mail, or these days...who knows? If an email is appropriate these days, then so be it!

    As for the cake....a Congratulations! X 2! would be fun! After-all....it's not a formal event, so anything goes! There are tons of generic congratulations decorations out there, but personally, I'd just opt for some nice fresh floral arrangements scattered around....just fresh flowers in vases, to set the theme. Keep everything else in the same tone...nothing kid-ish or corny...just simple colours, matching plates/napkins/cutlery if you don't want to load the dish-washer! Pick a colour and run with it!

    As for deciding on a wrist or corsage.....I think these days, with strapless dresses, etc, a wrist corsage is appropriate...just have him ask what the colour of her dress is. Alternatively, a nose-gay is becoming popular...something she can carry...something sweet...I'm sure a florist can help...and it seems to be the "modern" thing to do...

    Good luck and congrats on getting him through the hurdles of high-school!
    Last edited by Lynn49; Sun, Feb 26th, 2012 at 12:17 AM.


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    Mastermind Natalka's Avatar
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    I agree with Lynn on keeping it to Congratulations - for the cake and the decor.
    Sounds like you have something more formal than the kind of thing we do in our extended family (we just call to invite people, not send invites), so I can't help you with that.

    As for the grad date - we weren't sure, either, when my son graduated two years ago, because the only ones who had gone through it in our family recently were girls, and we were on the other gender side of things!

    We went to a local florist, and she suggested a wrist corsage. I had my son ask the girl what colour she would be wearing, so we could figure out what was best to get.
    She was wearing teal and black, and my son's suit was navy. We ended up getting yellow sweetheart roses for my son's boutonniere, and for her wrist corsage.
    Make sure you see pics of what the florist does for the wrist corsage - some of them are huge and garish, which we didn't want at all.

    The florist made an awesome suggestion, which my son loved - to have her corsage put on a stretchy pearl bracelet, which she could use after that night. It looked absolutely beautiful, and kind of covered the thank you for her being his escort.

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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    OMG you guys are so awesome with your help. WOW. excellent!!! Definitely keep those all in mind for sure.
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    Smart Canuck Mamaelmo's Avatar
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    Congrats to your son, when I graduated from high scholl was the day before my 18th birthday but my parents didnt throw me a party, my mom letme go drinking with my best friend that was 19

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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    UM..ya that ain't happening yet Mamaelmo. but thanks for your input. however we did tell him that when he was ready at 19+ he was more than welcome to partake with his Dad.

    so far were looking at having this party at a local restaurant, rent a room, and let him 'host' his own party by dj'ing the event. He's very good at thi,. some rockin tunes to celebrate a great event and him being the dj just makes it that much more fun. Hubby and I will be making his cake. (thanks to cake classes). I'll be doing the decorating of the room. simple but classy.
    Figure if I start now everything should be in place by June. i have alot more to plan an arrange besides his party. this body needs a complete overhaul in the next few weeks/months as well LOL.
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    Smart Canuck Mamaelmo's Avatar
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    that sounds like a good idea

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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    we've decided to center the focus on his graduation as will be also having a party for him the following year for his official 19th. this way his graduation is more the highlight as it only happens once in a lifetime.
    i've already started the 'save the dates' if i dont' knowing our family everyone will be too busy.
    and im going to order extra grad pics to put on the invites so its more personalized. family gets an invite as well as a picture of him.
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    Canadian Guru avoncallingu's Avatar
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    Oh, I like your idea about the grad photos! There's a Dr. Seuss book (I know, I know - he's 18 - not 8) - but it's called "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and it is meant for celebrating "moving on" kinds of times. I gave it to my brother when he was getting married. You might get some neat ideas from it.

    How about a "time line" that guests can sign with a little note about where they met your son?

    It's a great idea about "save the date" notices.
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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    I was thinking something along those lines JB with the 'time line' but thinking about a frame with his bigger grad pic we can hang and have a mat everyone can sign.
    i'll look into the book.
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    I graduated just after my 17th birthday (Quebec here), but still had two parties. For grad, we did a brunch party the day after the prom.

    Focusing on the grad portion would be cool. Here, 18 is the important one, but sounds like for Ontario it's 19 (makes sense, legal age and all).

    For corsage, I suggest a wrist one. It'll eliminate the awkward pinning on the dress () since it's the guy's job to do so. If he picks her up at her house, then the parents might jump in to help, but a wrist one is easy to apply lol. One for him (simple) would be nice, too. One to pin to his breast pocket. Or something to slip inside like a handkerchief.

    I'd use the extra photos as a parting gift for guests and have him write a note on the back for each one, but the save the date invites is a cute idea too. Autographs makes an awesome souvenir so I definitely like the bigger picture idea. He can also bring it to school for his friends to sign if they're not all attending his party.
    Last edited by slayer_glade; Sun, Feb 26th, 2012 at 06:18 PM.

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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    lol i don't think it work to have a party after his prom either. its my birthday that day.
    ya were going to take him out when he turns legal. at his request.
    I think im going to follow someones suggestion regarding putting a wrists corsage on a stretchable pearl bracelet. if he asks someone and she says yes.
    unfortunately due to LD he has a difficult time writing/printing so its best i handle that.
    although the idea of the 'friends' signing it would work for most. not for him its best that way. keep it strictly family. much more appropriate.
    we just need to come up with a color theme. school colors are black, burgandy do these sound good for a color theme. come July flowers maybe be hard to find to work with. maybe white carnations and cut some fresh ones from hubbies garden if they are growing by then lol.
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    Hooked! slayer_glade's Avatar
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    Family only is still cool, as you know what's best for him. Same for his writing

    Using the school colors for the party would definitely fit and easy to incorporate well.

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    Mastermind Lynn49's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by avoncallingu View Post
    Oh, I like your idea about the grad photos! There's a Dr. Seuss book (I know, I know - he's 18 - not 8) - but it's called "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and it is meant for celebrating "moving on" kinds of times. I gave it to my brother when he was getting married. You might get some neat ideas from it.

    How about a "time line" that guests can sign with a little note about where they met your son?

    It's a great idea about "save the date" notices.

    That was a Reading I did at a wedding last summer, Avon! So much fun!!!

    Great ideas, too, about the time-line!!! You could also tell the guests that they'll have an opportunity to "tell everyone" something about your son...a cute story...how they met him, etc...Enjoy!!!


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    One Awesome Domestic Diva MrsSunshine's Avatar
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    think i might integrate the time line into the party agenda for sure. might def. help to boost his ego. a much needed thing.
    going to have to check the library on Tuesday as for some reason my library card is blocked so i can't put that book on hold. weird.
    Be Strong
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