Graduating from high school or college is a milestone in your child's life. Though he may feel anxious about entering the real world, you can help him by celebrating this new beginning with a dinner party. Select an invitation that is appropriate for your party. A formal dinner for close relatives would be on plain, heavyweight card stock, while a surprise potluck dinner for the graduate's friends could be on fun, whimsical paper. Adding a photograph of your child in his cap and gown would be fine for either party. Whichever party you choose, you can easily word the invitation.

Write down the dinner party location on a piece of paper. This will be in the middle of your invitation. Graduation dinner parties can be at the parents' home or at a restaurant. Be sure to include the correct address and telephone number of the venue.

List the date and time for the dinner. If it is going to be at a restaurant, you may need an ending time for the party as well. If the graduation dinner party is at your home, you can be more relaxed about an ending time. If it is a very formal event, consider adding a short schedule on the invitation. For example, state that cocktails will be served at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Add a line at the bottom asking for responses from guests so you know if they plan to attend or are unable to be at the dinner. Write RSVP, and add a name and telephone number on the invitation.

Write an introduction line, or a few lines, in the beginning of the dinner invitation. A common formal introduction is, "We are proud to announce the graduation of ..." Your child's name would be next, followed by the words,"Please join us for a graduation dinner." A less formal introduction would begin with, "Let's Party! Please come to (your child's name)'s graduation dinner.

Finalize your wording, and rewrite it, if necessary. When you are finished, have the invitations professionally printed or print them on your computer.