8Th Grade Graduation Party Ideas

A DJ for 8th grade what then for High School A Live Band.
What ever happened to the BBQ for a family party. And with money being such a big issue for all of us today I think this is a bad time to try and keep up with the Jone's. You should do what ever is comfortable for you, as long as you do something for your child I think they will be very happy.

M.

I think that would be a bit extreme for 8th grade when my mom did mine many moons ago we had a cook out/ open house at a park played sand volleyball, softball and ate burgers and dogs maybe bring a CD Player and play some music

YIKES! NOT the norm for this family, or in this area. We gave flowers, took pictures, had a nice dinner out w/ family. This generation of children (and I repeat that 8th graders are still children) are spoiled enough and struggle with entitlement issues as it is. Let "Johnny and Susy" have more issues....besides, 8th grade is NOT a graduation, it is a time of passage. We are never done learning....our formal education just may "end" at 12th grade. Acknowledge the accomplishment, be proud, and move on. :)

My son graduated from 8th grade last spring. There was a ceremony at the local high school and then we went with my parents his favorite restaurant. I asked him what he wanted and that was it. So I would ask your son and see how he would like to mark the occasion. FYI none of my son's group had a huge party. A lot of the kids at that age don't really want to be fussed over and hang out with parents at a big party.

My question exactly for my 8th grade daughter..but after reading several websites comments on the issue, this is what I decided. The graduation is in the morning and there are only 2 tix per student, so my husband, daughter and her 7 yr old brother are going to a restaurant she chose for lunch (think a few kids from her school will be there as well). The next day I am planning an "open house" as we have lots of friends from our congregation who wants to participate. It will be from 2-5 pm. I am serving only finger foods: BBQ meatballs, chicken salad sandwiches cut in little squares, vegetable tray, cut up fruit, chips and sherbet punch. I am preparing all of the food myself. I MAY have a chocolate fountain with strawberries. I am going to do an outdoors sign, balloons, streamers, have an autograph book for decorations. A chunk of the family had previous plans for that day and wont attend so the next day Sunday, we are going to her favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden...family only...about 15-20 people. Everyone pays for their own food and I'm going to have a nice bakery cake for dessert. I'm on a budget and not spending no more than $200.00 on the open house and cake. I just hope everyone gets the open house idea (n and out) and not plan on staying the WHOLE 3 hours!

I had a huge party - actually a pig roast. I think it is the norm because that is how it was throughout my growing up in my whole family... I think, too, it is all about what your are able to afford to do. But a big party is good!

There is no need to worry about "topping it off" for high school and college graduation. With that being said, if you give a big party for high school, what are you gonna do for college - give the kid a cruise?

C. T.

Hi D..
I had an 8th grade graduation party but that was just because my sister was graduating hight school, so my parents combined it. but here was my mom's philiosophy..Why have a huge party for something that is required. It is not an accomplishment to graduate from 8th grade since it is required by the state of IL. In my family, even high school was not considered an accomplishment. College and grad school...yes!

I agree witht he PP's that a dinner is just fine.Or maybe you can let him have a few friends over and go to the movies or order pizza. Good luck.
S.

OMG First off graduating from 8th grade is a must.. the child has no choice, evidently he has to, its the law... if he wants a "gathering" go for it... But this is NOT High School, where there are plenty who don't make it out. I'm all for dinner and some friends over but come on, this isn't and achievement so to say,, every one has to at one point or another

My kids aren't old enough to do this yet, but I'll tell you what was done for my brothers and I, and what will probably be done for them. The night of the graduation ceremony we had a nice dinner with immediate family and godparents. Then within the next month we had a "party" at the house for extended family and a few close friends. It was basically just beef and chicken for food and if there was any music it was from the radio. We played volleyball or basket ball for fun (now days there are the bag games too). We did the same for high school except we were allowed to invite a few more friends.

It's definitely good to see that the responses are quite similar to what I would suggest. Graduating from 8th grade is definitely something to celebrate, but more along the lines of a special birthday. Save the big party for high school or even college graduation (you'll have plenty of things to spend money on during freshman year - like the yearbook and class ring!)

On graduation night we just had grandma and the godparents (those were all who were able to attend the weeknight "ceremony" anyway) over for cake and coffee.

Then about a month later when the weather was better had a backyard bbq with family and friends. It was nice to be able to have everyone outside playing baggo, horseshoes, volleyball, swim, etc. It was more of an open house and people could come whenever they were able during the day and some stayed later for a fire. You could even allow his friends to spend the night.

As it is a rite of passage some of the gifts were more of an independent flair...things they'll need in high school. We gave our daughter a letterman's jacket. One suggestion if you go that route, though is to find out how they earn their script and letters through the schools sports, band, and/or academic departements. I think some parents purchased the script (which can cost $20 or more) from the local store when they can earn them by participating in the above activiities (thus saving the $$ since you spend money participating anyway).

Good luck and congratulations!

Didn't even know that people gave 8th grade graduation parties. I've never even been to one and my husband has a huge family....mine isn't so small either.

How about a nice little movie party at home with popcorn and pizza with friends that have also graduated from 8th grade.

Personally I think we do way to much of the party thing these days. A party every year for their birthday, they get dedicated at church or christened, kindergarten, 5th grade, 8th grade, graduation, and so on.....It really does get out of hand. What happened to mile stone parties? We celebrate the momentous occasions so that they are truely momentous and not just another party. We over do it so much that they don't appreciate much of anything after awhile and come to expect everyone to stop their lives and pay attention to them.

I've met adults that pout when a big deal is not made about their birthday. How sad that is? That they think the world must end because they turned one year older. Silly really.

You've got to be kiding me! A family dinner is plenty for an 8th grade "graduation." Do you really want to have to top yourself when high school graduation comes around?

I am an 8th grader and trust me that's all an eight grader wants!!! DJ's are the perfect way to top off a graduation party! I am most likely getting a DJ because it is such a fun way to celebrate and everyone will enjoy it trust me!!! An 8th grader always wants to have the best party and a DJ is a great way to make that happen!

We went out for a nice family dinner with the grandparents and cousins. There also was cake and punch at school after the ceremony. Personally, we felt that a huge party would be kind of ridiculous, considering they are just going into high school. I didn't want anybody to think they had to get gifts for that. We had the big party for high school graduation.