Looking to host a graduation party to honor the study and future of someone you love? Perhaps you are the one graduating and want to host an unforgettable grad party yourself. Either way, it’s time to celebrate.
Graduating and earning a degree on any level is something special to be proud of. From the graduate to their family, friends, and colleagues, this is a joyous occasion is for everyone. In kind, everyone has their own way of celebrating.
Celebrate in your way, that makes you happy. Let’s be blunt for a second. These parties are for celebrating the graduate’s accomplishment. But it’s ok to have a party that is for the graduate, and its ok to have a party for the parents. If you’re a parent, you know, everyone is a winner here!
Planning
The best parties and events are the ones that are planned. I encourage to begin planning at least 1 month in advance to ensure your guests have enough time to accept your invitation. Here’s a prep list of things to help get you started.
- Who do you want to invite
- Location options for the graduation party
- Food choices
- Graduation party decorations & theme
- Activities and entertainment
- Graduation gifts and party prizes
Guest List
Like I mentioned, the earlier you begin, the better. You don’t want people responding that they’re already going to a different party or are busy. Let’s look at a few different types of guest lists for ideas.
- Only fellow Graduates and friends
- Community graduation party for the graduating residents
- Extended family, neighbors, and friends
- Only family and friends
Location
Now that you know your guest list, you can determine the size of the graduation party and the location. Location doesn’t really make a difference as much as fitting everyone comfortably. As always, I will provide some options for you to stimulate your brains creativity.
- Your house
- A park (regular city/state or even theme/amusement park)
- At school
- Community center
- A restaurant (bowling/ice skating/style)
There are a couple things to look out for when choosing a location. Certain types of activities or entertainment may be better suited outdoors, or in a more public space. The last thing you want to do is host a graduation house party that can lead to a disturbance.
Menu
I think most agree that food is one of the main elements of a good party. People love to eat and drink while socializing and food can provide energy to keep partying. The most important tip I can provide is….
- Hire a catering service
For hosting a party at your favorite entertainment restaurant, the food may not be an issue, although you can talk to management and see if they can make anything special for the menu. Often, I find they have some flexibility when hosting larger groups. If you decide to have a party at home, I still recommend catering at least some of the food, so you can put a little bit more creativity in the food you do decide to make at home. If that’s your sort of thing, you can get creative with graduation party theme food ideas like tying a ribbon around wraps to create diplomas or hat shaped baked goods. It’s also still BBQ season and that also makes for great menus when hosting smaller parties at home or at a park.
Party tip – Get an ice maker. Wherever you are, outdoor or indoor, apart from a restaurant, you will need an ice machine. If you don’t own one, it is a valuable item that can be used again. It’s worth it. You do not want to serve warm drinks.
Decorations and Theme
Graduation decorations are essential. Anywhere you host your party, you should plan decorations. Even at a restaurant, you should be able to decorate at least a little. Hit up your local party store for graduation balloons and streamers. Think about different graduation table decorations such as flowers, table cards, or even grad themed tableware (cups, napkins, etc). A large banner that can be customized to the graduate’s name or special message are also nice ideas.
I do not believe in mixing themes. This sends mixed signals unless it is regarding their course of study. The theme should be about graduation. All decorations along with the types of activities and entertainment you plan will create a nice theme celebrating the graduate. Which leads us into our next part.
Activities and Entertainment
This is where the fun begins for many. Sure, menu items and decorations are nice and create a themed aesthetic, but partygoers need more, and the celebration of a graduation calls for more. No one likes a dull party, so let’s get into some suggestions.
- Music – For any location, a couple portable speakers is an easy way to ensure you have the best party tunes and your favorite playlists keeping everyone alive. Unless you’re throwing a massive party with 100s of people, you don’t need a DJ or live band, but that can be fun too.
- Have a stage area (it doesn’t have to be an actual stage, just a space) to address guests and hand out awards to the winners of any games or activities.
- Welcome table – This area should be heavily decorated. Add fun memorabilia with graduation photos and a guest book to sign. You can also use this area for graduation party favors for all your guests.
- Games – Plan activities that you think your guests will enjoy. This could be anything as simple as a trivial game to creative games involving the graduate such as, “guess where (graduates name) will be 10 years from now”. Make a panel of judges for games that call for it.
- Photobooth – Have an area to take photos and selfies. Explore your video and photography options. As an example, you can record drone footage for outdoor parties and incorporate photographs and selfies from the party for a fun video montage with music. Feel free to go a step farther and record video of congratulations and good luck blessings from guests. This can be edited and distributed to the graduate and guests for an awesome gift. You want to make sure you have the correct photography gear for any of your photographing ideas.
- Graduation Pinatas – Everyone remembers the party with the pinata, and this is a fun way to stuff it with adult graduation themed things. Plus, you either love to smash it, or you love to watch other people smash it. Regardless, everyone loves a pinata.
Graduation Gifts and Party Prizes
The last thing to consider is the best graduation gift to give and what awesome prizes you will hand out to prize winners. Prizes for the winners should receive a nicer gift than whatever is in the party favor bags. This will create a memorable party for everyone. If you’re the graduate and hosting the party for your graduating mates, you may want to get them all something nice. Last but certainly not least, the graduating person, should receive the best gift. They did the work after all, and there would be no party with out them.
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