Anonymous wrote:Depends how much you, your friends, your family like to party. And depends how many other parties you get invited to. If you go to parties, you have to host at some point and HS graduation is as good a reason as any.

Congratulations!

Is it in the DMV Ten Commandments that you must host after attending a party? Is Karen going to come down off her high horse and banish me from the region if I don’t?

We had about 100 people and spent roughly $1500 and we shared hosting duties and the cost with my daughter's close friend.

We went to a number of $30K+ grad parties last year. 200 guests, live band, DJ for after the band, open bar, catered food plus food trucks for later in the evening. DC private school crowd.

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t have space for a party at your house, your $1000 budget limits you to a park. Or going in with another family at their house.

I loved the graduation circuit last year. DS went to a lot of parties and we were invited to a handful, all in backyards. Most had alcohol for everyone, various types of food (fancy catering to grocery store platters to homemade), some had a tent. So fun. The joint ones were the most fun

For 18-year olds? Good luck with lawsuits.

We have had 3 teens die within a 3 mile radius due to teen drunk drivers since 2024.

If you don’t have space for a party at your house, your $1000 budget limits you to a park. Or going in with another family at their house.

I loved the graduation circuit last year. DS went to a lot of parties and we were invited to a handful, all in backyards. Most had alcohol for everyone, various types of food (fancy catering to grocery store platters to homemade), some had a tent. So fun. The joint ones were the most fun

For my 2024, we went out to a nice restaurant after ceremony with grandna, aunt/uncle, cousins.

We didn’t throw a party. Frankly, spring exhausted us. He changed his mind had a ton of RD acceptances, admitted student visits and then hit off an Ivy WL mid-May.

He did go to about 10 grad parties if friends and we (parents) were invited to a few.

We took a big family vacation instead. We are planning a trip of 2026’s choosing post-graduation .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours was for 4 boys two years ago. Each family spent about 2K. Insanity. I’m embarrassed about it. There were about 150 people including kids and parents. L

What did you get for 8k? I’m not judging, just curious. Nice catered food and alcohol for parents? Did you rent a venue?

Tent, dance floor, DJ, bartenders, caterer, tables and chairs, linens, alcohol, decorations- one of the family’s hosted at their very large house tha has a very large backyard.

It sounded fun. Yes, that was a lot of money but the memory will be there forever.

We offered a trip or a party. Kids chose the trip.

We had it in the backyard. Catered DD’s favorite food and some ice cream. Hired a bartender plus a helper. Invited friends and neighbors. Not very big but it was fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours was for 4 boys two years ago. Each family spent about 2K. Insanity. I’m embarrassed about it. There were about 150 people including kids and parents. L

What did you get for 8k? I’m not judging, just curious. Nice catered food and alcohol for parents? Did you rent a venue?

Tent, dance floor, DJ, bartenders, caterer, tables and chairs, linens, alcohol, decorations- one of the family’s hosted at their very large house tha has a very large backyard.

I wouldn't make a big deal of it. So many of their friends will be having parties/celebrations and the kids will go from party to party. You can ask people to bring an appetizer or food as part of the invite. Or just serve snacks and beverages

Anonymous wrote:Ours was for 4 boys two years ago. Each family spent about 2K. Insanity. I’m embarrassed about it. There were about 150 people including kids and parents. L

What did you get for 8k? I’m not judging, just curious. Nice catered food and alcohol for parents? Did you rent a venue?

Ours was for 4 boys two years ago. Each family spent about 2K. Insanity. I’m embarrassed about it. There were about 150 people including kids and parents. L

We gave a choice of a party or few activities or cash. Our kid picked an extra special add on to a family vacation, which was more than the equivalent to what we would have spent on the party. He always said he didn't want a party anyway so it worked out.

Depends how much you, your friends, your family like to party. And depends how many other parties you get invited to. If you go to parties, you have to host at some point and HS graduation is as good a reason as any.

Congratulations!

We don’t have family in the area DC does not want a big party. If he wants to invite some friends on a special outing, I will give him money.