Frugal Graduation Party?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 03-26-2008, 06:25 PM

My Dh is getting his associate degree in May. He's going on to get his bachelor's, which he should finish December '09. We both know money is tight, but I also know how HARD he has worked to earn this degree. What is something REALLY special we could do that would be really memorable, but not really expensive?

He's suggested dinner out...but that doesn't seem truly special... Seems more like just a birthday treat than to celebrate something as "momentous" as earning a college degree? (A meal out IS what we do as our birthday "party" every year...a person only gets a degree, maybe a few times in their whole lives).

He likes to game with his friends so we thought of that, too... But he games about once every 4-6 weeks with them...so again, don't know how special/memorable this would actually be? Fun for him...but I would really like this to be memorable.

He's doing his "it's no big deal" routine...but deep down...well, he knows it's been a long time coming, loads of hours of work (he's working on his Bachelor's classes, too). He's talking about not going to the graduation ceremony cause he'll just go to the one for his bachelors. He doesn't like the "look at me" element of it all. Which is fine...to a point... We all want to celebrate this, too... I've worked extra hard to help him get through this, his mom wants to be a part of it...my parents do, too! I dunno?

I'm not sure what to do/plan here. Ideas?

**shoiji** · 03-26-2008, 08:05 PM

If your family likes potlucks you could surprise him with a family gathering and have people bring a dish. Depends on how your family feels about bringing stuff.

Any type of family gathering can also be inexpensive. A brunch type gathering can be inexpensive, eggs, sausage, pancakes, you get the idea.

Hope you get some other ideas. Let us know what you decide.

**mombottoo** · 03-26-2008, 08:08 PM

Why don't you have a party similar to an open house? You could serve cake and whatever you choose for drinks...I'm thinking punch/coffee. If you wanted to serve more in the way of food you could always serve up sloppy joes & chips...they go a long way in feeding a crowd. Since both sets of parents seem to want to be involved maybe they could help with the food. Or, you could just have a family get together now and save the party for when he gets his bachelors degree.

**starsapphire** · 03-26-2008, 08:56 PM

That's what I was thinking, a party with family/close friends, you could make it a potluck.

**leezza** · 03-26-2008, 09:11 PM

How about going to Alyeska and riding the chair lift up the side of the mountain and enjoying the view, then after that you could have dinner at the "Double Muskee"......nice afternoon/evening that you could both enjoy.

JMHO,
leezza

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 03-26-2008, 10:50 PM

Thanks for the ideas, ladies!! I hadn't thought of a potluck (duh...brain evidently not working)... I was thinking of buying a bunch of Costco pizza's ($9.95 each and they're HUGE) if we did a friends and family get-together. An open house would be WAY easier food-wise.

Alyeska would be wonderful...but it is SOOOOOOOO spendy... And all our friends are in the same boat as us...poor/broke. The best deal (tram ride/lunch combo) is $25/person. And $12 for kids 4-7... Eek! We could stretch that much out for just the 2 of us as I was planning in the $75 range for this celebration time... But the rest of them...uh...nope.

If it was summer there's a place not far from there that I LOVE to picnic that would be a fun group area...gorgeous views!!! But, early May would be WAY too cold for that!!!! BRRRR! hehehehe

**Michelle** · 03-27-2008, 07:58 AM

If you're going to go the party route, I definitely think the ideas in this thread are great.

If he's suggesting just dinner out, though, maybe you should go along with that. Sure your parents may want to be involved, but it is HIS graduation.

In my situation, if my dh said that he wants dinner out, then that's truly what he wants. He doesn't like to be the center of attention either.

I guess what I'm trying to say is try to celebrate doing what he wants to do vs. what everyone else would like to do.

Also, I agree with the PP who said that a big party would be a good idea for when he gets his Bachelors, and maybe you could even start setting aside some now