Graduation Invitation Etiquette

[Living42Day]

What is the etiquette for sending/receiving graduation invitations/announcements? I just received a graduation invitation from a relative for their son graduating from high school. I haven't spoken to this relative in years, they do not interact with anything I post on social media. We live on different coasts (CA vs NJ) so will not be able to make the graduation party in June. I'm assuming they do not expect us to come to the graduation party, just want us to send $$$.


I was a little taken aback because of the lack of interaction up until this point. What is your take?

 

[kymom99]

I’d ignore it

 

[tarheelmjfan]

In your situation, I'd send $20 & forget it.

 

[AgentMama]

I wouldn't send anything.

 

[Christine]

There's nothing wrong with just sending a card. If there's no animosity from or toward this relative, some people just enjoy doing old-fashioned "announcements" because they are proud. I'd never use social media contact as a gauge. I was really proud when my kids graduated and I sent my stuff out to relatives I hadn't spoke to in a long while--but I still have very fond feelings about them. I never expected a dime--just a way to keep in touch with an update and send a picture.

Just a simple card back with an acknowledgement, if you aren't feeling a gift, is a lovely gesture.

 

[sdk1231]

Was it a graduation party invitation or a graduation announcement? I'm just curious as I'm sending out some grad party invites myself. I've decided to skip the old-timey formal grad announcements. I have a couple of party invites that I'm sending to family who live out of state. I highly doubt they'll be able to make it, but I didn't want to omit them from the invite list. I definitely don't expect them to send a gift. (Edited to add that we do interact and see each other at least annually. I realize your situation is different.)

 

[Disneylover99]

If you haven’t spoken in years and don’t communicate socially online, I’d ignore it. They probably just sent a blast out to everyone on their contact list. They probably won’t even notice that you didn’t respond in anyway.

 

[AnnaS]

What is the etiquette for sending/receiving graduation invitations/announcements? I just received a graduation invitation from a relative for their son graduating from high school. I haven't spoken to this relative in years, they do not interact with anything I post on social media. We live on different coasts (CA vs NJ) so will not be able to make the graduation party in June. I'm assuming they do not expect us to come to the graduation party, just want us to send $$$.


I was a little taken aback because of the lack of interaction up until this point. What is your take?

I would ignore it or send a card with Congratulations on it.

When and if I get an invite from someone who I have not seen or spoken to in years (not even on social media that so many are on) and they don't bother to send a Christmas card (I know not many do anymore) - I might be tempted to not reply at all.

 

[_19disnA]

I would use common sense rather the looking for what is the supposed 'etiquette' in this case. If you have zero interaction with them, clearly your family isn't suddenly going to travel across country to attend their party. I would just ignore the invite.

 

[slo]

I’m another person saying I would do nothing.

 

[White Cat]

it always looks good to send something.

 

[ronandannette]

I'm not up on the etiquette of this particular one because grad parties here are just SO NOT the huge deal that they seem to be in the States. But in terms of how I generally do life, I'm with the others who would just not respond. I'm trying to picture cousins of mine, many are like yours in that we never interact (outside occasional family funerals now). We're not estranged, but we are basically strangers. I'm not even sure what their kids' names are. It would be practically bizarre to receive such an invitation from them, let alone there be any expectation that I'd go to their event, or send a gift.

 

[mjkacmom]

Graduation announcements aren’t really a thing here (NJ), if I get one it’s usually out of state, and unless it’s someone I’m close to, I smile and then “file” it. A graduation party invite from someone not close, across the country, would end up the same.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

I’d ignore it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We all know that invitations like that are just money grabs for a gift. If you can easily afford it, I'd send $20/$25 and not think anymore about it. I know when I graduated HS 27 years ago, I was VERY appreciative of that graduation money to help me get started at college.

 

[nw6675]

Ignore it. I think anybody would appreciate a handout, but if you don't know them or have a relationship with the relative- skip it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They sent you an invite because you're related. I wouldn't try and delve into any ulterior motives than that. If you have no real relationship you could either ignore it or send a card (I'd probably send a card personally speaking). You don't have to send money in the card either if your relationship is non-existent.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I’d ignore it…

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'd never use social media contact as a gauge.

I don't really interact with any of my blood relatives on social media lol. I'm friends with some of them but I've never been the person who comments endlessly with them. Sometimes I have liked some posts but it's few and far between. I didn't really do anything even on my mom's FB page. It's just not how I use FB. I don't really feel the need to comment on my cousin's FB to prove something.

 

[Marrila]

I'd probably send a card with a 25.00 gift card enclosed. I wouldn't send an empty card. If I really didn't want to send a small gift I'd just ignore the invite.