Eighth grade graduation can go from simple to elaborate.
Eighth grade graduation parties celebrate the climbing of another rung in the ladder of life. Graduating eighth grade in some families is an expected accomplishment with the passage to high school signifying a new chapter but meriting a modest celebration. For others, eighth grade graduation is a major event warranting an elaborate celebration irrespective of cost. Variations can fall between these more extreme outlooks on eighth grade graduation. In any event, planning can help you meet your family's expectations. Does this Spark an idea?
Modest Celebration
Have the graduate network with his closest friends to make sure their parties don't overlap. Include as invitees a limited number of the honoree's closest friends who he is certain will attend. Also invite immediate family, grandparents and godparents as well as favorite aunts and uncles. Reserve a sheltered space in a nice park well in advance of the graduation. Invite adults to bring along their favorite salad, side-dish or dessert, and the parents can use the park's barbecue pit to grill chicken, ribs, hot dogs and burgers with all the trimmings. This pot-luck style dinner not only ensures variety and lets people bring the best food they are capable of preparing. The graduate is recognized to the group and given the opportunity to say a few words and thank everyone for attending. If presents or cash are given, the honoree makes certain to thank each giver personally. Encourage both kids and adults to play baseball, volleyball or just toss around Frisbees. Lots of food, fellowship and activity are the rule of the day.
Elaborate Event
Send out invitations with an RSVP to the graduate's friends, immediate and extended family and family friends. Remember that friends will likely have their party around the same time period as your child. Be sure your child invites enough kids so attendance will be adequate. Well in advance of the graduation party, reserve a room at a hotel or restaurant and arrange for a plated or buffet-style dinner. The parents start the affair by saying a few words thanking the group for attending and mention their pride in their child before they introduce him to the group. The graduate can simply stand to be recognized or say a few words of appreciation. At this point the parents present him with a graduation gift such as a new higher tech phone. Work privately or with the hotel to have a DJ host the event after dinner and keep the music playing and the party going. The DJ can encourage karaoke performances and take requests to fill the dance floor. The graduate socializes around the room thanking each guest personally for coming and giving appreciation to those who brought a gift, working from a list given to him by a volunteer who lists the names from the gift table.
Portrait of the Middle
Invite family and friends to the graduation ceremony at the school with a reception to follow at a restaurant or home. The graduate invites a limited number of his friends, making certain that his party won't conflict with theirs so they can attend. Hearty hot and cold refreshments are served to the hungry guests at the reception along with a decorated cake congratulating the graduate. The parents thank everyone for coming, recognize the guest of honor and allow him to speak a few words if desired. During the party the graduate personally thanks each guest for attending. A hilarious game played by the whole group is simple to implement. Divide guests into groups of six or by table if tables are separate. One person in each group is given written phrase such as, "I was in love, but my ex is still sweet." The head-person in each group whispers the phrase to the person next to them one time only. That person does the same to the person next to them and so on around the table. The last person to receive the message writes down what they heard. The last person to hear the message in each group stands up, states the original phrase aloud and then reads the phrase that was relayed to him. The entire group works off of the same statement and the statements become more difficult for at least three rounds. A different person in each group starts the game each round. Another game to amuse spectators is to blindfold the graduate and two friends. They stand as far away as possible at different spots in a large area then attempt to locate each other by the sound of voices. Set a time limit of 10 minutes on this game then two other guests are chosen to work with the graduate.
Tags: each group, grade graduation, advance graduation, closest friends, each guest, Eighth grade, eighth grade