For the past 18 years, you've taught your son or daughter that saying please and thank you is mandatory and napkins belong on laps. Now it's time to help them make you proud all the way to graduation.

Announcement Etiquette.

Is your announcement etiquette a bit rusty? Here's a refresher course for you and your senior:

1. Your son or daughter should send announcements to family and friends early enough to arrive two weeks before graduation date.
2. Two envelopes come with each announcement. Address the larger, outer envelope with a blue or black pen. Your senior should write out the complete address, using as few abbreviations as possible. Return address goes on the upper left-hand corner or the envelope flap. Using personalized Return Address Labels from Herff Jones makes it easy and convenient.
   
   Example:
   Mr. and Mrs. David W. Smith
   4321 Main Street
   Hometown, California 54321
   
3. The smaller, inner envelope protects the announcement and is addressed only with the names of the recipients, as if your senior 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
   
4. The "Finishing Touch" Announcement Insert should be placed over the announcement text.
5. If the announcement includes a namecard slot, your grad should place his or her personal Graduate Namecard there.
6. If your senior is including a Graduation Celebration Card, place it facing out from the announcement message.
7. Place the announcement in the smaller envelope with the folded edge down and the front of the announcement facing the flap.
8. Place the smaller envelope into the larger one with the unsealed flap facing the address side of the larger envelope.
9. Seal the outer envelope securely, apply a Class Envelope Seal and send it via first-class mail.

Thank You Etiquette.

There are so many people who've helped your senior along the way. And now is the perfect time to thank them all. Here are a few thank you etiquette tips to share with your grad:

• Emails and texts are fine for everyday chit chat, but Thank You Notes should always be handwritten.
• Order Thank You Notes well ahead of time so your grad will be ready when those cards and letters come rolling in.
• Your grad should send Thank You Notes ASAP—one month after graduation is the latest they should be mailed.
• Your grad should write in a conversational tone, as if he or she were talking directly to the other person.
• Your son or daughter should write Thank You Notes for all gifts and congratulatory cards received, even if he or she has already thanked someone in person.
• The gift should be specifically mentioned in the Thank You Note. If your graduate received a gift of money, he or she might say, "Your gift of $40 will help me buy a computer for college."
• Make sure they send a Thank You Note to teachers, coaches, tutors, neighbors, and anyone else who has been there for them along the way—even if those people haven't sent a gift. It's such a nice gesture and will be so appreciated.