Tis the season of graduation parties and enough fried chicken and mostaccioli one person can eat in a summer. If you are anything like me you have a hundred and one graduation parties to go to between now and the end of July. Graduation parties are important and celebrate a big life accomplishment. I have put together a “grad party etiquette” so you can get through graduation party season with ease.
Have a game plan
If you come to a graduation party without knowing what time you need to leave, what you want to accomplish while you’re there (i.e. greet the graduate, say hi to their mom, grab a piece of cake, etc.) and what kind of manners and attitude the event demands (are you going somewhere fancy or just their house?) you are sure to embarrass yourself as you wander around aimlessly and knock into the grad’s uncle, spilling his beer everywhere. Have a plan of attack and stick to it.
Don’t eat too much
We’ve all been there. I once had four parties to attend in one day and I thought to myself, “Sweet, free lunch!” Unfortunately, I ate the equivalent of three lunches, along with breakfast and dinner. You can’t enjoy yourself and give your graduate a proper hug if you have a food baby the size of Texas and feel slightly nauseated. Whatever you do, don’t eat a fifth Oreo ball or go for your third Italian beef.
Bring something
This person is offering you free food and something to do. It’s kind to bring a gift.. If you aren’t super close friends, a card will do the trick and won’t cost you much at all. But for high school graduates, think of something you could’ve used in college (but stay away from booze because you don’t want to be that person that smuggled the grad booze). If it is a college graduate, you are very safe to bring booze.
Come with a good attitude
Nothing makes a social situation worse then when you decide you won’t have fun. If you don’t come psyched up and ready to be sociable you will just be a big cloud of sadness and no one will want to talk to you. Then you will have nothing else to do besides eat, and that brings us back to point #2 and eating too much.
Introduce yourself to new people
I know this may be harder than climbing Mount Everest for some people, but it will make the overall party more enjoyable. Who knows you may have something in common with the graduate’s uncle, or you may be traveling to the same place their cousin just got back from and you can learn some tips. Meeting new people and networking is always something good to do to better yourself.
Don’t complain about anything
The chicken is burnt, the tacos were cold. This party is not about you or for you. If you don’t like something then sneakily throw it away when no one is looking and move on with your life. Don’t say anything about the temperature, the atmosphere, the location, the food; just let things be and enjoy.
Do all the activities
Most of the time these are little things the graduate has planned, such as frames to sign, advice jars, books to write a message in and pictures to look at. They are looking forward to reading your signature and other mementos. Also, it gives you something to do so you aren’t standing around looking bored. Sometimes it is something bigger – like bags (corn hole for all my southern people), or a mechanical bull. I had a mechanical bull at my graduation party and it was so fun. The people that got the guts to do it said it was so fun. I wish that everyone would have tried it at least once- that is why we got it to have fun!
Actually talk to the graduate
You know the main reason for the big event? Sadly this is sometimes forgotten because people are too focused on eating or catching up with family and friends. But make sure you take at least 5 minutes to talk to them about their next steps, future, their summer plans, anything. Take time to show them gratitude for inviting you to their party. If you come, take their food and leave, you aren’t quite comprehending the point of attending a graduation party.
Now you’re ready to conquer graduation season with poise and grace. Just please try to keep the cupcake eating to a minimum.
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