Happy Graduation Ecards

Graduation Day Party Decorations - Graduation Day Cards

2008-05-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

A Graduation Day is incomplete without Graduation Party decorations. Vibrant and throbbing - these are the keywords that you would associate with a Graduation Day Party. Make the decorations as lively as you can. You can put up multi-colored balloons. Put up banners that shout out slogans that had made your college group mad with inspiration. You can also put up posters of your favorite personalities. They can add a lot of vitality to the sterile walls.

Click on these wonderful Graduation Day greetings to send them across to your friends who may not be able to answer the call of your Graduation Party invitation...

Thank People Who Helped You Graduate

Congratulate The Graduates

Graduation Day Cards - Top Five Graduation Day Party Ideas

2008-05-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

What is a Graduation Day without a Graduation party? Graduation Party assumes great significance in the life of a student, mainly because of the proportions of the event itself. However, a successful Graduation Party needs planning, else it degenerates into a lousy pass-time. The Top Five Graduation Party Ideas would be:

1. Make a detailed list of everything that you need to buy, arrange or borrow.
2. Make a list of the guests keeping in mind their inter-personal equations. Try not to call the most unpopular guy and make everyone uncomfortable.
3. Make the guests comfortable by your hospitality. No one goes to a party to only eat. They can very well go to a restaurant. If you are not a good host, the party is a flop. Period.
4. Order food that is fuss free. No point ordering a 7- course meal; the floor will have to take in more than your guests.
5. Don't take in too much alcohol yourself! It can get very embarrassing if you cant carry off liquor in your own party.

If you cannot organize a Graduation Party, reach out your Graduation Day wishes to your friends and fellow-grads with these Graduation Day cards...

The Announcement...

The Encouragement...

Graduation Day Cards - Wish Your Fellow-Grads

2008-05-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Graduation Day is a milestone in the lives of every student. It is a day of reckoning for them and a sense of achievement. Graduation Day belongs entirely to the young graduates who have reached a major turning point in their lives. They also have this feeling that they have to go on. They need all the encouragement and inspirational wishes that you can reach out to them.

Wish the young graduations good luck on the day of their achievement. Click on these cards and reach out your Graduation Day wishes to your friends and fellow-grads...

Some of The Best Graduation Post Cards

2008-05-12T04:39:00.000-07:00

Hey... graduation Month is right here and I am sure you are looking for the best ways to reach out to your fellow grads or acquaintances who just completed the graduation. Your hunt for the special graduation cards is over!

Yes... Orrin Hatch said it perfect, " There is a good reason they call these ceremonies 'commencement exercises.' Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning." So why not reach out to congratulate your friends with graduation congratulations and graduation messages. If you are staying away from your pals, there no better ways to convey your graduation messages than you reach out to them with these free graduation ecards.

Here are some of the best graduation post cards I have ever seen. I sent these wonderful graduation post cards to some of my acquaintances in the month graduation 2007 and believe me they worked out like magic!

Send This Free Graduation ecard
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Send This Free Graduation ecard
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Graduation Day Cards - Wish Them Well With Free Graduation Greetings

2008-05-08T01:06:00.000-07:00

Graduation Day is round the corner for many would-be grads! So you might be wondering how to reach out your Graduation greetings to these guys who are about to set off on the paths of their respective careers. My mom wished me with a torrent of gifts on my Graduation Day.

If you cannot be present on the Graduation Day of your friend or peer, reach out your warm congratulations with these wonderful Graduation Day cards. I'm sure they'll feel extra special on receiving these. Spread a smile...

Wish Them Good Luck!

Invite Them Over!

Free Graduation Cards for Friends

2008-04-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! Graduation month is almost here. I'm sure you guys have friends or fellow grads who will graduate this year. You must be really excited for them as Graduation day comes nearer. Its a very important milestone for a person's life. Its time to get out of the cocoon that education provided to you. Now its time to walk on the path of your career and carve a life out.

You can provide encouragement and inspiration to your graduating friends. Wish them luck and extend your best wishes by embedding a nice, warm message for them. Click on these cards and wish them the best on Graduation day.

Send Graduation Greetings Card!
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Send Graduation Greetings Card!
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Graduation Song of 2007?

2007-06-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but Sarah Mclachlan is one of my favorite artists. And I really love her "I Will Remember You" song. Here's the video to it:

Do you think that should be THE Graduation Song of 2007 or do you have a favorite song to be the graduation song? Some have Vitamin C's Friends Forever as the Graduation Song. What's your theme song?

Memories Of School Days...
Share some memories with your friends/ fellow grads and pull a prank on them with this fun filled ecard.
[ Interactive ]

Our Friendship Will Be Special !
Tell your friend that he/ she will always have a special place in your heart with this cute ecard.
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If you want the lyrics to "I Will Remember You" here they are:

I Will Remember You

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin’ in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I’m so tired but I can’t sleep
Standin’ on the edge of something much too deep
It’s funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can’t be heard

But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I’m so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose
Clinging to a past that doesn’t let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light

And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories

May Your Days Blossom With Joy !
Reach out to all the glad grads you know with the gift of your best wishes for a bright future ahead.
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Perfect Time To Wish You !
Send this warm and elegant ecard to congratulate and wish all the graduates you know.
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Finding Graduation Gifts Online

2007-05-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend!

I had a blast -- went out to a picnic in the park. Graduation Season is upon us and we're probably scrambling to buy gifts for our friends and family that are graduating. Do you like that Mickey Doc figurine? It's from Graduating Party Gifts. What I love about that site is that they have specialized graduation gifts for doctors, nurses, paramedics, realtors, lawyers and so on.

Gifts.com has a great collection graduation gifts. Their collection range from College Survival Kits to high tech gifts like emergency cell phone chargers. And of course don't forget alarm clocks!

FindGift.com also has a great collection of graduation gifts That you can personalize according to the graduate that you are giving.

And talk about personalization! Check out Personalization Mall's graduation gifts section -- remember when you're thinking of getting graduation gifts, think about the graduate, think about the memories that can be cherished thought out the next phrase of their lives, and think about the functionality -- will it be useful to them?

Way To Go !
A cute ecard to tell a new grad how proud you are of him/ her.
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You Made Me Proud !
Send this funny ecard to make your bro/ sis/ friend/ loved one who has graduated roar with laughter.
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I'm Proud Of You !
Express how proud you are of your son/ daughter for graduating with this cute ecard.
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It's A Proud Moment !
Congratulate and encourage your son/ daughter/ student/ dear one who has graduated to achieve greater heights.
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Life after graduation - Keeping in Touch with Friends

2007-05-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

After graduation, be it from high school or college, you begin the next journey in your life. For some, this journey may be a continuation of school; for others, it may mean diving into the workforce, etc. Wherever your journey takes you after graduation, it is very likely that you will lose touch with many of the friends you have made along the way. If you want to keep in touch with those friends, keep the following in mind.

Send e-mails. This is the easiest way to stay in touch, especially if you live far away from your old friends. Try to e-mail your friends at least once a month to let them know what has been going on in your life. If you have a group of friends, you can send an e-mail to all of them at once, but it's probably better for the friendship if you personalize an e-mail for each friend (you are more likely to get a response if the e-mail is personalized). Attach pictures to give your friends a visual of important events in your life.

Pick up the phone. Your friends are only a phone call away. If you see something that reminds you of a certain friend, if you have big news that you want to share, or if you're just thinking about one of your friends, pick up the phone and call him. It's always nice to hear the voice of a friend on the other end of the line.

Facts about Graduating Students in 2007

2007-05-03T05:02:00.000-07:00

Graduation 2007

Journalists only: pressroom@hallmark.com
All Other Inquiries: Hallmark Customer Service

Cover: Wisdom, Success, Pride.
Inside: Congratulations and Best Wishes On Your Graduation.

Related Links:
• Thank-You Notes
• Marking Milestones Is an American Family Tradition

Cover: For A Special High School Graduate... Our hopes grow stronger... our reach ever higher... seeking the endless possibilities of tomorrow.
Inside: There's so much POTENTIAL and PROMISE in who you are. And you have so many people who care about you and will do whatever they can to help you along the way. You really can ACCOMPLISH anything... Just DREAM up the life you want and go after it. Congratulations.

Cover: Congratulations On Your Master's Degree.
Inside: All your hard work and dedication have paid off. You should feel great about your achievement. Congratulations on your success and best wishes for the future.

Cover: Know what comes after Preschool?
Inside: Lots of Great Big Hugs! Way to Go, Preschool Graduate!

Cover: Success is achieved through vision, inspiration, and resilient determination. And when success comes to one of us, it comes to all of us.
Inside: By your success, you raise our spirits. With your determination, you carry our dreams. In pleasure and pride, we lift you up today. Congratulations.

Graduation 2007
Tassel-Keeper Frame

Assorted Graduation 2007
Gift Bags

Cover: I know we're graduating, but can we have homework?
Inside: Congratulations on not having to deal with that girl any more.

Graduation 2007 Partyware

Cover: Fun, Memories, Dreams, Wisdom, Hope, Inspiration, Graduate.
Inside: May your GRADUATION be just the beginning of a FUTURE filled with achievement and happiness.

TRENDS
• Money is the most popular graduation gift, and money-holder cards are top sellers for Hallmark. The card serves as a keepsake long after the money has been spent. Money and gift card presenters also are available in the gift wrap line, including a musical option. Plush money presenters also are popular.

• Some graduation party guests find it difficult to shop for graduates because they often don’t know the graduate well. Whether starting life as an adult or heading off for college, they know graduates can use money and gift cards. Hallmark offers more than 60 money-holder graduation cards in 2007, the majority are designed to also be used as gift-card holders.

• Graduation is accepted as an important milestone in social and personal development. Today’s graduation celebrations include open houses, graduation parties and school sponsored after-ceremony receptions and parties.

• Graduation gifts often are themed and tend to be thought of as keepsakes. Friends give graduation cards and gifts to each other to say “good bye” or as mementos of times shared in school.

• Increasingly, graduates give thank-you cards and gifts to parents and teachers to express appreciation for guidance and support during their years of education.

WHEN
Most graduations occur in May and June, but some are as early as mid-April or as late as the first week in July. Mid-year college commencement ceremonies typically are in December.

HALLMARK RESEARCH
Industry-wide, nearly 77 million graduation cards will be given annually.

High school graduation is the No. 1 reason for purchasing graduation cards, and the average graduate receives 17.5 graduation cards. Sixty percent of all graduation cards are purchased for high-school graduates. College graduation is the No. 2 reason for buying graduation cards, and the average college graduate receives 7.5 cards.

The Class of 2007 includes more than 3.3 million high school graduates, about 1.5 million college undergraduate degrees, approximately 603,000 Master’s degrees, and more than 50,000 doctorates. (Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

HALLMARK PRODUCT NEWS
Hallmark offers more than 450 graduation cards, including specific cards for professions (nurse, law, medical doctor, pharmacist, veterinarian, dentist), cards for service (police academy, firefighter, EMT certification), and post-graduate degrees (doctorate, master’s and MBA). Cards for pre-school, grade school, middle school and junior high also are available as well as cards for teachers, coaches, bus drivers and grad-to-grad. The cards range from serious, success-oriented and inspirational to humorous. High school and college cards tend to focus on accomplishments and good wishes for the future.

A collection of nine graduation sound cards help the graduate celebrate. The cards feature traditional music such as “Pomp and Circumstance,” which resonates with consumers of all ages, and current music such as “Photograph” by Nickelback, a popular rock band. The cards also offer sound clips from college movie classics such as “Animal House” with John Belushi.

In addition, graduation is the first season in which Hallmark is introducing six sound card money holders that use the CD-quality sound chip technology. The sound card money holders also are designed to present gift cards. There are six designs in the Hallmark Gold Crown® channel. Songs include “We’re in the Money” and “I Just Want to Celebrate.”

Mahogany offers 29 cards for African-American graduates, including money/gift-card holders, and one card for graduates of historically black colleges and universities.

Sinceramente Hallmark offers 40 graduation cards with a mix of Spanish-language and bilingual cards especially for Latino consumers. The line includes money-holder cards, which also are compatible with gift cards.

A collection of Hallmark graduation gifts and mementos is suitable for all ages. Plush animals with mortarboards are perfect keepsakes for presenting monetary gifts or gift cards. The Hats Off Snoopy, available at a special promotional price, provides a place to slide the money or gift card. When you press his tummy, the hat pops up. Tassel keepers, commemorative photo frames and Instant Scrapbooks are useful and lasting gifts for high-school and college graduations.

Gift Books from Hallmark make perfect gifts for the graduate or for a special teacher who made a difference. Titles include School’s Out, Life’s On and The Road Ahead: A Faith-Based Guide for Today’s Teens.

Hallmark offers invitations, graduation gift wrap and gift bags, as well as graduation partyware, balloons and accessories. The gift wrap collection includes unique ways to wrap up gifts of money or gift cards including a mortarboard-shaped box that plays “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang when you lift the lid. Gift bags and wrap feature trendy designs using popular school colors and showcase the “Class of 2007.” Designs are appropriate for high-school and college graduations.

HISTORY
Today’s graduation ceremony is the modern equivalent of the ancient rite of passage from youth into adulthood celebrated in many tribes and clans. Commencement is the contemporary way to acknowledge that an important milestone has been passed.

Early degree ceremonies took place in the mid-12th century at the University of Bologna, and soon after, at Paris, Oxford and Cambridge. Harvard was the first American college to hold a commencement ceremony in 1642.

Graduation gowns reflect the general manner of dress in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance period. Many are black, although the gowns used in many high school ceremonies reflect school colors. The sleeves of a collegiate graduation gown indicate the level of a graduate’s degree.

The four-sided graduation cap first appeared in the 16th century in Scotland. It originally was known as a “trencher” cap because it looked like an inverted serving board – a trencher – with a bowl on it. The term “mortarboard” developed in the 19th century.

High-school graduates in the United States began wearing the now traditional commencement cap and gown in 1908.

Hallmark has been producing graduation cards since the 1920s.

PRODUCT LOCATIONS
Any store carrying the Hallmark brand offers a selection of cards and other products to celebrate graduation. To find the nearest Hallmark Gold Crown® store, use the store locator on Hallmark.com.

Cover: Life Lesson No. 15...
Inside: Do what you love... It's what the world needs from you... it's what you were meant to do. Happy Graduation.

Graduation Fact Sheet

2007-05-03T04:59:00.000-07:00

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.

Graduation Trivia

2007-05-03T03:49:00.000-07:00

Graduation Trivia

Graduation fever is on! But how much do we know about graduation? Here are some interesting facts.

1. The graduation ceremony is a cultural tradition termed as a “rite of passage.” It dates back to the 12th century when scholastic monks wore their ceremonial robes and has evolved to fit the society in which it is celebrated ever since.

2. Baccalaureate is the degree of Bachelor conferred upon graduates. Its ceremony recognizes the achievements of those who truly studied.

3. Commencement is that part when the graduates receive their diplomas, walk across the stage, flip the tassels on their hats upon receiving their degrees, and handshake.

4. The valediction is the speech delivered by the graduate with the highest scholastic standing. The speech usually expresses the ups and downs the students have gone through and provides a youthful insight of a hopeful future. It also has some color of gratitude, commitment and perseverance.

5. The ring manifests the pride of the school and the diploma. Many people see the ring as a symbol of their entrance into the world of adulthood, as a good luck charm, or a show of worthiness of belonging to some group.

6. The diploma is made of sheepskin and shows one’s education. In some schools today, the tradition of a rolled diploma is already junked. They give out the diploma in a leather binder or in an envelop.

7. Tossing of the graduation hat is a tradition signaling the end of the ceremonies. The flight of the hat symbolizes the flight of the graduates to whatever that awaits them.

Graduation time may be a solemn occasion or a joyous celebration. Whatever it is you feel about it, just do it.

Need more trivia? Click here.

source:http://thepostman.prepys.com/archives/2006/03/25/graduation-trivia/

Top 10 Graduation Gifts

2007-05-03T02:44:00.000-07:00

Graduation is such an important step in a young person's life. Here are 10 graduation gifts that graduates will truly appreciate.

1) Money!!!
Of course, the top gift that all graduates love is money. As long as you don't care how it gets spent, this is an excellent choice as an all around graduation gift.

2) Oh the Places You'll Go
Help your graduate "soar to high heights" with the always relevant rhymes of Dr. Seuss. This book, while written for children, is relevant for adults too.

3) iPod
The iPod is the ultimate graduation gift. It is so convenient and provides hours and hours of entertainment.

Soar High Graduate
Send this graduation ecard to congratulate your son/ daughter/ student who has graduated and to inspire him/ her to move on.
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Scribe Success And Happiness !
Reach out to all the new grads you know with this warm and inspiring congrats graduate ecard.
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4) Handheld Device / PDA
A moderately priced PDA can do it all for the new graduate. A great way for to store images, movies, music, and data for the student going off to college. The Palm Zire has all of these features and more.

5) Laptop Computer
If you are willing to spend a lot on the graduate, a laptop computer is an excellent choice. The Dell Inspiron 700M Notebook only ways a little more than 4 pounds, has a 12.1" screen, 512 MB of RAM, and 40 GB of memory. A graduate would truly appreciate this as a graduation gift.

6) Graduation Commemorative Coins
Commemorative coins including proof sets from the graduation year and Silver Eagles are good choices for students. They can always remember the year they graduated with an item that could appreciate in value.

7) Hope Chest
Okay - so it's only for girls. However, even though it's somewhat old fashioned, girls still enjoy getting hope chests. What better time to give them one than as a graduation gift? This choice is a beautiful cherry/cedar choice.

Congrats To You !
Say congratulations to all the proud grads you know with this cool and cute ecard.
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May Your Dreams Come True !
Congratulate and encourage all your dear ones who have graduated with this beautiful ecard.
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8) Digital Camera
A gift that many graduates would love would be the digital camera. Give it to them before the big day, and they will have something to not only show off but also capture the moment. The Canon PowerShot is an excellent and luckily relatively inexpensive digital camera.

9) College Spirit Gift
If your student is going to go off to college, they will definitely enjoy a 'college spirit' graduation gift related to their college of choice. Here are some wall clocks for many different colleges across the nation.

10) High Quality Ink Pen
A traditional gift to set the tone for the future graduate. There is something about writing that evokes the image of success.

Wow ! You Did It !
An elegant ecard to congratulate a dear one on his/ her Convocation.
[ Postcard ]

Way To Go Grad !
Make all the new grads you know feel proud with this cool and cute ecard.
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http://712educators.about.com/od/speeches/tp/gradgifts.htm

Hot to send Graduation Announcements Invitations

2007-05-03T02:27:00.000-07:00

Most high schools and colleges limit the number of visitors a student may invite to commencement because of space. It is important to send announcements to close family and friends who would otherwise be invited to the ceremony. Include these individuals at other festivities that take place such as parties, luncheons, etc. It is also important to send to friends and family who are too far away to join in the fun, to share the good news of your accomplishment.

How to Address the Envelopes

The outer envelope, with the gummed flap, is the mailing envelope. It should be hand-addressed using black or blue ink. It should be formal. Do not use abbreviations, except in the title. Example:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jones
1554 South Wallace Street
Deer Park, Pennsylvania 12345

The inner envelope, without the gummed flap, holds the announcement, graduation picture, etc.

It should be addressed informally. Examples:

Grandmom

Rob and Gail

Uncle John

Place your card in the card holder, if your announcement includes this feature. If not, place the personal card in the fold of the announcement so that your name faces away from the text. The announcement is then placed in the smaller envelope with folded edge inserted first. The announcement front faces the flap. You may fasten the flap using a seal. If you do not use a seal, leave it untucked. This envelope is placed in the mailing envelope with the flap facing the mailing address side.

When to Send Announcements

If the announcement is being sent as an invitation to the ceremony and/or a graduation party, they should be sent out 10-14 days before the event. If it is just being used to announce the accomplishment of graduation, it is still proper to send it up to 14 days after the ceremony.

Note About Gifts

Gifts shouldn't be expected from all who receive announcements, but please be sure to send thank you notes to those who do send

gifts.http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/graduation/a/gradannounce.htm

How to Plan a Graduation Party

2007-04-30T03:25:00.000-07:00

Celebrate This Special Moment of Your Child's Graduation

The days of pep rallies, class trips, team practices, and school shows are coming to an end for your child. It's time for graduation - an exciting time, but also one filled with a little sadness about saying goodbye to the past, and anxiety while looking ahead to the future.

Keep all of these feelings in mind, as you plan to celebrate your child's graduation with a special party befitting such a momentous occasion. Involve your graduate in all of the decisions, and be sure to make it a party where she has a great time making new memories to take with her into the next stage of her life.

First Things First - What You'll Need to Decide for Graduation party

Who will be on the guest list? Is this a party for only family members? Will classmates be invited? Are you inviting the entire neighborhood?

When will you hold the party? You could host the party directly after the graduation ceremony or you could plan it for a different day.

If you are hosting a party for an older child, your party will probably compete with other classmates' parties. Friends will be traveling from party to party, not staying long at any one place. Therefore you should plan for more of an open house type of event. Before finalizing plans, do a little research by talking to other parents. That way you'll know if you're hosting the only party in town or one stop among many.

Where will the party be held? Since graduations are usually held in the spring, it's tempting to plan an outdoor party. But if that's your plan, you should be prepared with a tent or alternative backup plan in case of bad weather. If you have chosen a location other than your home for the party, then one of the first things you should do is reserve the location for the event and book the caterer.

You need to decide, and make clear to your older graduating child, your policy regarding alcohol and underage drinkers. Whether teens help themselves to alcohol you're serving to older party attendees, or bring along their own, you need to decide how you will handle this in advance. You are responsible for any underage drinkers at your party, and you can be legally prosecuted for permitting it to occur.

Step 2 - Pick Your Style and Theme

The style and theme you select will help as you plan the other elements of your party. Here are some possible directions you could go:

A formal dress-up party. Ask the kids and adults to come in formal attire and create formal place settings with linens, china, and elegant floral arrangements.

A casual, flip-flop shoes only type of party. Let everyone be themselves in their most casual attire. Use paper goods, plastic serving ware and invite everyone to hang out for as long as they wish. Good-byes take a long time, and leaving a school requires a long good-bye party.

Host an open-house luncheon with the theme "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star" to celebrate your graduating star.

Hawaiian Luau party themes are very popular for graduation parties. Invite your guests to come dressed in fun, tropical clothing.

Build a theme around the graduate's future plans. For example, if your child will be attending college in New England, you could serve a New England Clam Bake to your guests. Or if your child is planning to be a veterinarian in the future (and this could work as well for a grade school graduation party as for a high school or college party), you could incorporate an animal theme into your party.

Other, Not So Minor, Details

Create a budget. Potential items that need to be budgeted include:

invitations and postages
decorations
centerpieces
balloons
flowers
food
beverages
tableware
photography and video
caterers
catering hall
entertainment
tent rental
equipment rental (such as popcorn machine, chafing dishes, karaoke machines, etc.)
party favors
thank you notes and postage

Ordering and send your invitations

You could send traditional, engraved invitations or go with something more whimsical such as an invite that looks like a diploma. At the same time as you order party invitations, you should order thank you notes. In that way the thank you's will be ready to be written and sent as soon as possible.

Plan your graduating party menu. If you're using a caterer, meet with her early to plan the menu which should match the theme or style of your party. If you plan to cook the food yourself, you should make a very detailed timetable for your party including when you will shop and cook. Accept offers of assistance from friends and relatives for the cooking as well as serving and clean-up. As you plan your menu, consider the age of the graduate and his or her friends. If their tastes are partial to "kid" food, be sure to include some on your menu, whether it's pizza, hot dogs, nachos, etc.

Choose your decorations. Balloons, streamers and flowers are popular party decorations. If you have a theme, plan your decorations based mainly around the theme. And, of course, the graduation is a theme in itself. Graduation caps and diplomas can be incorporated into all of your decorations. Your graduate's accomplishments can be celebrated as part of your decorations with photos, newspaper clips, and trophies set around the party in a tasteful way. Before you do this, make sure that it won't embarass your graduate.

Provide opportunities for guests to add their own personal touch to the party. Set up a large poster board in a place where guests can sign it with a message for the grad. You can also invite your guests to contribute to a memorable guest book that includes photos along with a message.

Schedule the entertainment you plan to hire. Will there be a band to entertain your guests? Are you using a dj for your party? For a grade school graduation, you may want to hire a magician to entertain your guests. High school grads will enjoy the opportunity to dance to their favorite songs played by a dj or band. Your theme may also lend ideas for entertainment. For example, if you're hosting a Hawaiian luau, see if you can find a local company that can give a hula dancing show. As with the food, consider the ages of your guests and be sure to have something that will appeal to them all. If nothing else, mix the music between young and older tastes.

source:http://dadsandgrads.about.com/od/gradpartiestraditions/a/graduationparty_2.htm

How to Get Great Graduation Pictures

2007-04-30T03:19:00.000-07:00

Digital Photography Tips for Taking Great Graduation Pictures

Graduation is a special time in our lives, whether you’re graduating, or a relative. Either way it’s a huge milestone that you’ll want to remember. It can be so disappointing when your graduation photos don't turn out well. Here are tips to help you take fabulous photos of that special day.
Proper preparation

Make sure you’re camera is in good working order, your memory cards are clear, packed and ready, and your batteries are charged. When there is a big event that I want to take pictures of, I usually try to take care of this the night before so I won’t be running around like a madman the morning of the event if I discover, say, the batteries are dead.
Get up-close and personal

Try to get close to the stage, either by getting a seat close or asking the school where you can take pictures.
hey may not let you get right next to the stage, but it never hurts to ask. If possible, use a telephoto lens or a camera with a decent optical zoom lens.
Don't be a pose-eur

Not all photos have to be staged and planned in advance. Candids are sometimes the best photos you’ll ever capture. Think of all the touching and special moments that precede and follow a graduation: hugging family members, dressing in the graduation robes, chatting with friends afterwards. Capture all the smiles, hugs and tears that you can, when you can. It will all be over before you know it.
Get on the other side

Don’t forget to include yourself. Ask a friend or family member to take a few pictures of you with the graduate. It's so easy to get obsessed with taking pictures that you forget none will feature you. You could arrange to split up time between yourself and another person.
See the light

If you're shooting outside, try to position the sun so it is to the side, not directly behind you (the shooter) or the graduate. This will avoid forcing the graduate to squint or become an unpleasant silhouette. It can also help to use the flash. This will get ride of some of the harsh shadows on the graduate from the sun.

This is a rare opportunity to catch possibly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. These tips can help your photos shine.

happy Graduation Ecards

2007-04-30T02:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Happy Graduation Ecards. Your one stop destination to all kinds of graduation activities ,graduation planning and Graduation Ecards