Graduation – either from high school or college, is a big milestone in life. It definitely is a time for celebration!
Many graduating classes will do fundraisers to pay for one giant farewell party for the entire class, and then have smaller and more intimate celebrations to include their families and closer friends. In most communities high school grads spend the entire summer going from one graduation party to another. It’s almost a right of passage.
Since a graduation party is centered around the graduate and their friends, you will want to elicit the input of your graduate to coordinate your guest list, party theme and schedule. Coordinating party dates and times is essential here, since so many parties will be taking place you don’t want your party to be scheduled at the same time as someone else’s.
Planning a graduation party is like any other big event. You must first put together a guest list, keeping your budget in mind. You’ll need to find a venue, either an open house, backyard or park. Plan a theme, and coordinate your invitations, favors and menu around that theme.
Individual graduation parties will usually have photos of the graduate all around, and a guest book displayed, probably along with a yearbook, so everyone can put down their thoughts and wishes for the future.
A cooler for drinks is essential. You can have a menu as simple as cake, or cupcakes, and ice cream, or have a potluck/cookout. Summer menus are usually simple, and with the teens party hopping they will not eat a great deal at any one place.
It’s always nice to have a few trinkets (favors) to give out to the graduates attending your party. It doesn’t have to be expensive gifts. Something along the lines of lanyards, silicone wristbands, water bottles, beads with the graduation year, or small graduation photo frames will do nicely, and not wreck our budget.
Graduation parties are usually casual, so if you plan ahead you will be able to sit down and enjoy the event as much as the graduates do – after all, it’s a milestones for you too!
