What's Up With The Jostens Senior Year Packet?

Okay, so when my son came home with his senior packet, I might have cried. He was not amused.

It's just, a senior. What? I think you must have the wrong kid. My son can't be a senior. He's only four and loving Blue's Clues and The Wiggles.

Then I checked out the book, or maybe it's a booklet, or maybe it's a packet. I don't know.

I couldn't believe all the options my son had to proclaim he was a senior.



I mean, would you still be wearing this hat in your 40s? (I'm sorry, a BEANIE. And it can be yours for $15.)

Also, what on earth was with all the diploma frames and plaques? You could get a Deluxe Grad Frame ($49), a Tassel Keepsake Frame ($45), a Diploma Plaque ($30), a Diploma Frame ($25), and even an Appreciation Frame ($39.)

For a second I thought I might need these things. I mean, I need to keep this diploma safe. And his tassel! I couldn't lose his tassel. Then again, whatever happened to MY tassel? Hmm.


Then I was all, "What kind of tassel does my son need?" because there isn't just one anymore. Now there's a stacked tassel or a status one. (My son went with the stacked and it looks like this.)


(There's also a mascot, shadow, and souvenir tassel. (Ranging between $17.50-$12.50)

You can also get a mini diploma if you want to act like a giant ($10), and there are so many options for jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, rings...)

I began to worry that I'd have to sell a kidney to pay for it all.

Do people even wear their senior rings after they graduate? My husband got one, and he never wears it.

My son does not want one.

"I'm not wearing a ring," he said, disgusted. (It should be interesting if he gets married.)

Rings are not cheap. But there are many, many to choose from. With many, many different options and each of these options are pricey.

Also, the cap and gown are $40.95, but it comes with a tassel. Many people order one cheaper from Amazon.

Let's not forget the announcements. Of course you need to announce to everyone that your kid is graduating. But do you want a foil border name ($28) or a standard name card? ($23) Do you really need tissue overlays? ($12.50.) Who mails things with tissue overlays? Maybe the Queen?

Oh, and the thank you notes! Must have those if you get a gift. Do you want them foil? Bold? Do you want a picture sticker? ($7) A picture sticker? Yikes! Do we need a picture sticker?

"This is....I'm confused," I admitted to my husband as I flipped through the booklet. "I don't remember all this crap when I graduated. There are shorts that say senior, for God's sake."

He was all, "Just get the cap and gown and call it a day."

But. But. Didn't I need a Diploma Plaque?

Didn't my son want sweats with SENIOR 2020 down the side? (I asked. He didn't.)

In the end I went with the Mascot Package. I get the announcements and thank you cards. I get the cap and gown with the stacked tassel. My son even got senior shirts and a key ring. We didn't go crazy because really, I didn't need a Diploma Plaque. My son didn't want undergarments with SENIOR 2020 all over them.

So relax. It'll be okay. You don't need it all. If your kid wants it all, it's okay to say no. Remind them that when they are 40, the odds of them wanting to walk around with a SENIOR 2020 beanie are slim to none.

But still.

You might tear up. You might keep hugging your senior and going, "What happened? Weren't you just FOUR?"

It'll be okay.

It'll be okay.

It'll be okay.

(But there will be tears.)