8th grade graduation ?

My husband's family is having a 8th grade graduation party for his niece..
Is this supposed to be a big thing ?

Sometimes, I think they come up with parties b/c they want gifts for their children.

Am i being catty ? Also, I am ****** because we didn't get a thank you (phone call or note) for her confirmation gift....and let's see
if we get a thank you ..for recent nephew's birthday present..

My dh gets mad when I complain about his family but they are so rude !
It's not like we are well off....they should appreciate what we give them !

I am so ******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

Unfortunately the art of the thank you note seems to be on the decline. I think parents should reinforce its importance.

I did have a small family party for my 8th grade graduation. This was back in the early 80's so we didn't go overboard like today.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

As an 8th grade teacher, I think that the 8th grade graduation is a party-worthy event.
But I don't think it's a huge deal that deserves a hall being rented!

A small gift would probably be enough. And if you dont' get a thank you for it - then you just have to come to terms with the fact that some people are rude and inconsiderate, and be glad you dont' fall into that category!

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

maybe i am missing something..
isn't everybody supposed to graduate 8th grade ? A small family party is fine but do you have to invite the whole neighborhood and expect presents from people ?

And why do i have come to terms with rude and inconsiderate people ? maybe this would be a good lesson learned...no thank you..then no more presents.

isn't giving gifts an option ? it takes time, effort, money,and thought into a present.

why doesn't anyone have manners anymore ?
why don't parents or teachers teach this too ?

I guess I was raised differently.

Message edited 5/23/2006 5:02:41 PM.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

It sounds like your issues lie with the family and not with the idea of the 8th grade graduation party.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

Personally, I would not get a gift. Neither of my cousins ever sent thank you notes for very generous Bar Mitzvah checks. Well guess what - when the graduation party rolled around last year - no present from me!

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

I would say a junior high/middle graduation is party worthy too (not sure when the kids go into high school these days) . Yes everyone is supposed to graduate 8th grade - but they're also supposed to graduate high school. I say get her some educational gift.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

The issues lie with people having events to get gifts.

The issues lie with peoople not having manners.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

I agree with you about the thank you cards - it is very rude. It seems to occur more and more these days. Like another poster said, you don't have to go.

As for the party itself, I think 8th grade graduation parties are quite the norm and perfectly acceptable. I remember mine and all my friends had them too.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

My nephew is graduating 8th grade in June. We have to come up with a gift. I've never gotten a thank you card from him or any of that side of the family. And this from my DH's side-his brother is a big time attorney...money doesn't equal manners that's for sure!

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

I wouldn't necessarily punish the kid (no gift) becuase the paresnts didn't teach manners. A confirmation or bar/bat mitzvah is a big event and the parents should have had the kid send out thank yous.

How about a gift card to Barnes and Noble, or a High School Dictionary, or Regents Review books, or if you know what language he/she will take in HS, a Spanish/English dicitonary, etc. Something educational.

ETA: When I graduated 8th grade (only 10 years ago for me) I had a friend party, and I don't think I got too many family gifts except for close close people because I also had m,y confirmation that year, and my parents didn't want to make a big deal out of both and expect a ton of gifts.

Message edited 5/24/2006 12:50:17 PM.

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

This party is at a catering hall....
I don't get these people who cry poverty...they say they are scraping money to pay for their kids' private school tuitions...and then somehow manage to have big parties....

Re: 8th grade graduation ?

Birthdays I believe in atleast a verbal thank you which I think is important for my kids to make to show they appreciate what was done for them. As far as communion and confirmation my daughter and my son wrote their own out and mailed them even after thanking people verbally at their parties. Graduation we do the verbal too but again that's up to the kids to do which of course Paul and I have them do.
Not that Im patting myself on the back but I think it's a shame that more parents dont teach their children manners today.