Checklist

• Complete your graduation announcement list. Don’t forget to include complete addresses with zip codes.

• Order your announcements, thank you notes, appreciation gifts and keepsakes.

• Order your cap and gown.

• Address and mail your announcements to arrive two weeks before graduation. (see mailing information below)

• Make sure all your records (transcripts, library books, school fees, etc.) are current.

• Get graduation information from the school, office or campus bookstore, including rehearsal times, location, dress code, and time of arrival for the ceremony.

• Select the clothes and shoes you will wear with your cap and gown according to the graduation dress code.

• Try on your cap and gown. Remove wrinkles according to instructions and hang the gown up until graduation.

• If seating is limited for the graduation ceremony, obtain the tickets you need for family and friends.

• Make travel and lodging arrangements for out-of-town guests.

• Agree on a place to meet your family and friends after the ceremony.

• Be sure to have your camera and film ready for pictures.

• Plan your graduation celebration! Reserve a location, if necessary. Write out a guest list. Send Celebration Cards. Arrange for food, decorations and music.

• Give out your Appreciation Gifts.

• Send Thank You Notes.

Announcement and Graduate Namecard Mailing Information

• Send your announcements to family and friends early enough to arrive two weeks before your graduation date.

• Two envelopes come with each announcement. Address the larger, outer envelope with a blue or black pen. Write out the complete address, using as few abbreviations as possible. Place your return address on the upper left-hand corner or the envelope flap. Using Herff Jones Return Address Labels makes it easy and convenient.

Example:  Mr. and Mrs. David W. Smith
4321 Main Street
Hometown, California  54321

• The smaller, inner envelope protects your announcement and is addressed only with the names of the recipients, as if you were speaking to them (for example, Grandma, Uncle Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson). List children by name on this inner envelope only.

Example:  Aunt Meghan and Uncle David          Justin and Judy          

• Place the "Finishing Touch" Announcement Insert over the announcement text.
  
• If your announcement includes a namecard slot, place your personal Graduate Namecard there. If it doesn’t, place your namecard on top of the "Finishing Touch" Announcement Insert in the fold so that your name faces away from the announcement message.

• If you are including a Celebration Card, place it in the fold in the same manner, facing away from the announcement message.

• Place the announcement in the smaller envelope with the folded edge down and the front of the announcement facing the flap.

• Place the smaller envelope into the larger one with the unsealed flap facing the address side of the larger envelope.

• Seal the outer envelope securely, apply a Class Envelope Seal and send it via first class mail.

Thank You Note Etiquette

• Send your Thank You Notes as soon as possible after graduation. People appreciate receiving Thank You Notes promptly. It makes them feel that they were an important part of the occasion and reassures them that their gift was received by you.

• Write in a conversational tone, as if you were talking directly to the other person.

• Write Thank You Notes for all gifts and congratulatory cards you receive, even if you’ve already thanked someone in person.

• Specifically mention the gift in your note. If you received a gift of money, tell how it might be used. For example, "Your gift of $50.00 will help me buy a computer for college."

Herff Jones is proud to participate in this milestone in your life. Thank You and Congratulations on your graduation!