Dear Mama friends,
I put myself through college and did not have family to celebrate my graduation day with...so what am I supposed to do? expected to do? I'd like to make this a wonderful day for my daughter....how do families celebrate a graduation from college? Do I give her a gift? Have a party at a restaurant? BBQ at a park? Please advise.....THANK YOU!!
There's no rules. I think it's wonderful you are celebrating her achievement. When I got my doctorate (granted this was a years long thing), I had an open house with snacks/food and beverages. I invited friends from church and the neighborhood. People could come and go as they were available. Does she have any close friends that also graduated? They might want to do something together. Have fun and congratulations!
When I graduated from ASU my whole family went to a nice dinner and drinks - then some of us went to the bar and sang karaoke! We just had a really fun night and I enjoyed having family in town and going out with them. You could make reservations at a restaurant near ASU, maybe something at one of the restaurants at the AZ Grand Resort, a teppan place like Benihana, or if you are willing to drive you could go somewhere in Phoenix or Scottsdale. Even the Cheesecake factory and ask them to decorate a special cheesecake for her? Have fun and enjoy it!!!
I would just ask her. Depending on her personality, she might want a huge party or something low key. Whatever it is, make it special and memorable. Make sure to invite all of your family as well as her friends, she will appreciate it later.
When I graduated from college, my parents took me, my boyfriend and some other close friends and family out to a nice dinner at a restaurant. When my boyfriend (now husband)graduated, he had no family, so my parents hosted a party (BBQ)for him at our house. A friend of mine who was an out-of-state college student graduated,she had an open house at a Residence Inn hotel (so the room had a small kitchen to make hors d'ouvres) and invited friends and a few professors. It's really whatever you all decide is best for your situation. If she doesn't wnt to make a big deal of it, then maybe a nice dinner with some friends. If it's a lot of friends and family, then maybe an open house at home or a park would be nice. Maybe tell her you would like to do something nice to celebrate her accomplishments and ask her what she prefers -- have fun!
I would ask her. Maybe she wants to do something with her friends on the same night. Otherwise this is a very special day and you should do something special :) looking back, i wish my family would have just taken me out for dinner to restaurant we normally never go too (The Salt Cellar) and bought me silver necklace (Tiffanys).
