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An Open House is a kind of party usually held to celebrate the completion of high school or college by the graduate. Open houses are very popular in Michigan and Minnesota and can be almost unheard of in other areas. Open houses typically take place in May through July, while most school graduations are taking place. It is not uncommon for attendees to have to attend more than one open house per day. Typical guests at an open house usually include friends, relatives, and acquaintances of the graduate and the family. Open houses are also usually an opportunity for the graduate to receive some money for their further education. Guests traditionally bring small gifts or cards with money or checks inside as a way of supporting the graduate with the ever-rising cost of college tuition! Many graduations can receive $2000+ for their education at an open house, depending on the number of attendees.
Locations of Open Houses
Contrary to its name, all open houses are not necessarily held at someone's home. Many are, of course, but others are held at various other locales: town halls, churches, parks, and so on. When an open house is held at a home, it is sometimes set up in a garage or on the deck with an area with chairs and tables. In fact this has even inspired people to build a new deck in anticipation of the big event.
Typical Features of an Open House
As an open house is a time for celbration one's completion of school, it is a festive occasion and is decorated as such. Typical decorations include balloons or streamers in the school colors (sometimes on cardboard road signs placed on the route to the open house, to assist out-of-town guests), as well as on the mailbox or on a tree of the actual location. There is usually also a place set up with baby pictures, school achievements, awards, varsity jackets, etc. set up, to show the story of the graduate's life up until the time of the open house, as well as the graduate's future plans. Food of some form is usually served - some open houses offer only cake and ice cream, whereas others are fully catered. Typical foods include submarine sandwiches, chips, sodas (pop), and other "picnic" type foods. Some open houses may have a BBQ, and sometimes the food will reflect the ethnicity/background of the graduate. There is also usually an area with tables and chairs set up for people to eat, drink, and socialize. There may also be an area for children, complete with games, footballs, and so on.
