DistantNews
Support us
Lithuanian Graduation Parties Strain Budgets, Some Families Opt for Savings
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Culture & Society

Lithuanian Graduation Parties Strain Budgets, Some Families Opt for Savings

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Parents in Lithuania are facing significant costs for high school graduation parties, with some estimating around 800 euros for twins alone, excluding attire.
  • Eighth-grade and elementary school graduation parties are also becoming elaborate, with gifts for teachers sometimes reaching four-figure sums.
  • Some families are opting for more modest celebrations, prioritizing saving for future educational expenses, while others plan elaborate events with DJs, performers, and fireworks.

Graduation parties in Lithuania are becoming increasingly expensive, placing a considerable financial burden on parents. For families with twins graduating this year, the cost of attending the graduation ceremony alone is estimated at around 800 euros, not including expenses for dresses, suits, shoes, or hairstyles.

The trend extends beyond high school seniors, with eighth-grade and even elementary school graduations now featuring lavish celebrations. In some cases, gifts for teachers are reaching four-figure sums, adding to the overall expenditure. One mother from Klaipฤ—da, whose twins are graduating, shared that she and her husband paid deposits for the celebrations in the winter and the remaining balance during the exam session. They anticipate the total cost for both children's graduations to be approximately 800 euros, covering venue, program, and food.

We joke that we are lucky because we have twin sons, but if they were girls, the dresses, shoes, makeup, and everything else would cost even more.

โ€” Klaipฤ—da motherA mother discusses the potential higher costs associated with daughters' graduations compared to sons'.

"We joke that we are lucky because we have twin sons, but if they were girls, the dresses, shoes, makeup, and everything else would cost even more," she told "Vakarลณ ekspresui."

enter saving mode

โ€” Vytautฤ—A graduating student describes her class's decision to economize on their graduation celebration.

However, not all families are opting for such extravagant celebrations. Some parents are choosing to "enter saving mode," as described by graduating student Vytautฤ—. Her class has planned a more modest event, with the morning ceremony in a church costing 50 euros per person, including venue rental, diploma presentation, host, and decorations. The evening part costs 100 euros for the graduate and another 100 euros for a chaperone.

Vytautฤ—'s celebration will feature a DJ, a host, and a surprise performance, with plans for fireworks if permits are obtained. The food selection will be simpler, omitting hot dishes in favor of cold appetizers. "We are trying to create the most beautiful celebration possible with the available funds," she stated, noting that her classmates are paying around 50-60 euros for makeup and 60-120 euros for dresses, while she purchased hers for 90 euros at a discount store.

We are trying to create the most beautiful celebration possible with the available funds.

โ€” Vytautฤ—A student explains her class's approach to planning a memorable yet budget-conscious graduation party.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog