The weekend before finals annually marks the start of several days of graduation celebrations. Students pile into cars starting as early as ten in the morning and party-hop well into the night. As with most traditions, graduation parties in West Lafayette have some de facto rules and quirks.

The Scarlette spoke with graduating seniors and recent alum and compiled some tips for both hosts and hoppers to ensure a stress free grad party season.

Invitation Etiquette

Most seniors are very liberal in inviting people to their parties, generally inviting the whole senior class and any underclassmen they are even somewhat friends with.

“I just sent an invitation to people I recognized that might be interested,” said Brian Bangs ’13. “Most of my friends on Facebook were invited.” Bangs recognizes that many who RSVP “yes” on Facebook may not be able to attend.

Krisli Vasili ’12 confirmed this fact.

“From the people who said they were coming on Facebook, probably a fourth or so didn’t come,” she said. Vasili added that friends who did not RSVP ended up coming to her party, so the numbers evened out. Hosts should take Facebook RSVP numbers as nothing more than an estimate.

Should You Go?

The reason for the mass invitations through Facebook and paper invitations handed out and posted throughout school is because seniors want as many people as possible attending their parties.  Thus, even if you’re not that good of friends with the host, you should still feel free to attend.

“I usually click ‘yes’ no matter what and especially this year because of the fact that they are in my class,” said Becca Mimms ’13.  “I will definitely go even if we’re not that close of friends.”

Bangs echoed this sentiment.

“I’m going to do everything I can to go to every senior’s party I get invited to,” he said.
Seniors should view graduation parties as a final chance to spend time with the people they grew up with, and should make their best effort to attend as many parties as possible.

Jake Weiss ’12 said, “These are your classmates and it’s fun to celebrate with them, even if you weren’t friends in high school.”

Underclassmen, if the senior has had even a slight impact on your high school career thus far, try to attend their party. Even if you aren’t close, if you received an invitation, they want you there.

What to Wear?

You can assume that unless otherwise stated, graduation parties have a casual dress code.

“I couldn’t care less what people wear to my party, but of course I wouldn’t mind if people looked nice,” said Christian Gatmaitain ’13, who will probably wear khaki shorts and a nice shirt to other parties.

Guests shouldn’t worry too much about their appearance, but showing up in a sweat stained shirt from a morning workout will probably make you the odd man out. Think along the lines of that sundress, romper or Polo shirt you always felt was too dressed up for school, but too casual for a formal event.

Erin Sommer ’13 said she will probably wear shorts and a nice shirt, or perhaps a casual dress, to other parties.

Sarah Collicott ’13 encourages guests to have fun getting dressed.

“I don’t get many chances to dress up during the summer so I take advantage of grad party season,” she said.

Hosts should take a little more care than guests with their appearance.

“I’m planning on a dress and some cute heels to my party,” said Kaitlynn Kreuger ’13.

Boys should think along the lines of their Sunday best.  A suit and tie isn’t necessary, but some kind of a collared shirt is a good idea.

To Gift or Not

The general consensus is that gifts are neither required nor expected from other students.  Seniors would rather you attend their party than bring a gift. If you want to show your appreciation for your classmates, consider the cost-effective option of writing a card.

“I write a card to every party I attend,” said Gatmaitan.

You should think about bringing along a gift, though, if the party is for a close friend. Caroline Deboer ’13, Sommer, Kreuger and Collicott all plan of giving gifts to close friends.

The one time to definitely give a gift or at least a thoughtful card is if your whole family is attending a party.  The easiest and most useful gift is money or a gift card, although a present with more meaning will surely be appreciated.

Hosts, if you receive any kind of gift, you MUST write a thank-you note and mail it within two to three weeks of your party.

How to Host 

Seniors should enjoy grad party season and not stress out about their own party.

“The best parties are perfect in their simplicity,” said Jake Weiss ’12. “All you really need is some food and people socializing” Vasili agreed and encouraged seniors to not worry about people coming to their party.

“The important people, that you really care about, will come,” she said. Vasili also offered the practical advice of eating before your own party.

She said, “You have one mission, and that is to greet people and smile!”