I graduated in 1983 from High School. I’d have to ask my parents to be sure, but I don’t think I even had a graduation party. (I have to ask my parents plenty of things from my own personal history…)
I’d estimate that probably half of my friends had graduation parties back then. Today, as a parent invited many a graduation party, I find that rarely does a child NOT have one.
A twenty year friend called today. She’s been in a panic for weeks now as she plans for her daughter’s party in June. There’s the cap and gown that you now must purchase vs. “borrow”. Catering has become standard protocol. The invitations that must be perfectly manicured (she admits, as I do, to tossing just about every invite of every sort that we’ve received over the years into the trash can ultimately.. NOT saving them for a scrap book). Now, enter the Graduation Videos.
Five years ago I think it was pretty acceptable and common to have a photo album at the party. In the album, of course, were pictures of the new grad from babyhood right through his or her high school senior year.
Those were good, but we can do better. “Everybody’s has them” said her daughter. So, my twenty year friend is off to have a video created. She’s panicked as she and her husband don’t yet even own a digital camera. How in the world can she have a video created?
I referred her to the master, Papajohn of www.papajohn.org , who assured her it would be easy enough to pull photos off her daughter’s MySpace page and throw in some scanned photos, add some music and she’d be good to go. He’ll do a fantastic job; mom will be happy; the proud grad will be just like everyone else sporting her own video.
When my 9 year old graduates from high school, I envision the ceremony being transmitted from the stadium to the ipods and phones of our E-vited guests… Yikes.