Nearly 5.3 million people will graduate from high school or college in the United States this year, and that adds up to a lot of celebrating. With graduation party supplies, thank you notes, decorations, a variety of graduation cards, money and gift card holders, wrapping paper and gift bags, American Greetings can supply graduates and their families with almost everything they need for the big day, except the diploma, of course!

How will people say "congratulations?"

Americans will purchase a total of 68 million graduation cards this year. Here's how that total will break down, according to American Greetings business trend experts:

• High School is #1: High school graduates, an estimated 2.9 million in 2005, receive the biggest share of all graduation cards.
• College grads a close second: College graduates come in second in number of cards received. This year, more than 2.3 million students will receive associate's, or bachelor's degrees, as well as Master's, Doctoral and other post-graduate degrees.
• Specialty cards: Families celebrate more milestones than the traditional high school and college graduation these days. American Greetings offers cards for almost every academic achievement, for graduates from preschool through medical and law school.
• Money and gift card holders "rule": Money is the most popular graduation gift of all, so it comes as little surprise that money holder cards comprise nearly 25 percent of graduation card sales. Gift card holders also are growing in popularity, mainly because they allow graduates to personally select the gifts that are most meaningful to them. For 2005, many American Greetings gift card holders incorporate the graduation year within the design, making them lasting mementos of the occasion.
• A diverse range of styles for every personality: Card styles range from cute to funny to formal. A special selection of keepsake cards from American Greetings features detachable mortarboard and '05 charms to commemorate the graduate's special day.
• Visual novelties: Holographic cards from American Greetings offer messages that change when the card is tilted. For example, one card simply says, "Graduation" on the front, but when the card is held at a slight angle, the word changes to read, "Celebrate!"
• Graduation thank you cards: Thank you cards will be some of the season's biggest sellers, American Greetings trend experts report. An example: "Thank you, Professor. I'll always remember how your guidance made the way easier, how your enthusiasm made the work more interesting, and, most of all, how your encouragement challenged me to do my best."

Party Time

The graduation party is a long-standing tradition. Today, graduates from kindergarten to graduate school take time to celebrate their achievements with family and friends.

• An extended season: "Graduation season," is no longer limited to June. With many schools now scheduling later graduation ceremonies and graduates wanting to attend multiple parties, graduation parties are now held from May through late August.
• Party central: American Greetings offers everything to make a graduation party special, including invitations, plates, napkins and dinnerware in school colors or in a special "2005" graduation theme.

Historical Graduation Trivia

The reward for every graduate's hard work and effort is the official graduation ceremony to honor his or her achievement. It's an occasion steeped in ceremonies and traditions, many with historical connections:

• An ancient rite: Graduation ceremonies are an outgrowth of an ancient celebration of the movement from youth into adulthood.
• The first ceremony: Harvard University held the first graduation ceremony in America in 1642.
• Graduation "fashion" - Gowns reflect traditional clothing of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. At the college level and beyond, each level of academic achievement is reflected in variations on the basic robe:
• Bachelor's degree: These gowns have pointed sleeves with no hood and are the most recognized gown and the style most often associated with graduation ceremonies.
• Master's degree: Gowns for these graduates have long closed sleeves with slits for the arms and a narrow hood.
• Doctorate degree: Bell-shaped sleeves and draped, wide hoods distinguish these gowns. Mortarboards: The wearing of a four-sided graduation cap or mortarboard is something most graduates have in common. This traditional graduation accessory originated in 16th century Scotland. High school graduates first wore the mortarboard and gown in 1908. Mortarboards were originally known as "trencher" caps because of the similarity they had to wooden table platters, or trenchers.

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