2013 Graduation Party Ideas




 
Where to start when planning a graduation party
Here are a few things to think about as you are hammering out the who, when and where details -
  • When planning a graduation party, timing is everything! June and July are busy months for parties... other graduations, weddings and summer BBQs. Ask your most important guests (Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles) to check their calendars beforehand to make sure they will be able to be there. 
  • Set a budget. Graduation parties can get expensive if you let them get away from you. A budget will help you to decide where you are having the party, how many people you are inviting, and what you will serve them (ordering from a caterer, organizing family for potluck, or doing it all yourself).
  • If you can host a large party then go for it! Such a major milestone should really be celebrated! I always start with my holiday card list to cover family and family friends. Then add other important people in your grad's life... neighbors, the graduate’s friends (and the parents of close friends), favorite teachers and even coaches.
  • Decide on the guest list, date and time as soon as possible. The earlier you send the invitations better the turnout will be!
  • An open house party is where guests are expected to come and go as they please, and can span a longer time to accommodate different schedules.
  • Invitations to a graduation party can also be mailed with graduation announcements (save a stamp).
Graduation party Invitations
 Now that you have a plan you can decide on graduation invitations! Since the highlight of this party is to celebrate the graduate, it is only natural to select an invite that features a photo and school colors of the guest of honor! Here are some of our favorite options:
Here are some examples of graduation party invitation wording for you to use on your invites:
 
Announcing the Graduation of 
 
Sarah Jesse Parkinson
 
Shiloh High School
Class of 2013
 
Pleas join us for a BBQ Celebration
Saturday, June 10, 4-8 pm
 
The Parkinson Home - 123 Parkway, Springfield
Please Join Us
in Celebrating the Graduation of our Son
 
William Joseph
 
June 20th at 6:30 pm
Dinner and Dessert
1234 Bay Drive, Orange
 
John and Karen Miller
RSVP 555-1234
 
Graduation Decorations and Party Supplies
 There are many easy and fun ways to decorate your space for a graduation party: 
  • Up the driveway or leading to the walk to the party entrance, think about putting school pennants. Just attach them to sticks and put them in the ground to wave everyone to the front door. Use high school or college pennants depending on which way you decide to go.
  • Balloons add color to a party space and they also designate important congregation points (food,drinks, games, etc.) They will also help define a space if you tie small bunches along the fence or perimeter of the yard.  If it isn't too hot outside, attach helium balloons to your mailbox, railings, etc., but don't buy them if it's going to be really hot...they won't last in the sun!!! Airblown balloons will be fine but won't float.
  • If you decide to make the party all about the graduate and want their photo everywhere why not line the walk to the party with personalized graduation luminary bags. Guests will get a kick out of seeing the graduate's face as they walk into the party.
  • You can also take a colored table cloth and put a clear one over it... in between put pictures of the grad with friends and family through the years. You can also include prom tickets, school choir programs, concert ticket stubs, awards, and what ever else you want people to see. The clear table cloth keeps everything from getting messy!
Also important? A sign in area! Here are a few fun options - 
  • A graduation sign in board is a classic way to let guests leave message to the grad. Have it match your invitations and favors to pull the theme through the entire event.
  • A guest book photo frame is also fun... guests sign the matte surrounding a senior picture of the grad. Make sure to buy smudge free markers!
  • Have guests sign a t-shirt with fabric markers... wearable art!
  • For a grad who is going away to college, have guests fill out postcards! Then you can mail them a few at a time to the dorm.
  • Create a photo scrapbook for the grad and leave places for friends and family to fill in messages.
Have them write down what they think will become of the graduate so he or she can look back on it in 10 years for a laugh. A sign on the table with a few starting words as examples will help get the ball rolling…
  • "I vote Johnnie to be …"
  • "When Johnnie grows up I know he'll…"
  • "I knew Amy when..."
Things like that. While fun and easy it will make the graduate look back on the day with fond memories.

Just keep the decorations colorful, fun, and simple and it will look great.
 
Here are a few of our favorites:
We know you will enjoy these and that they will work great for your party. Check out all of the 2013 graduation decorations that are available!
 
Graduation Table Decorations
Your best bet is to use disposable paper goods at a graduation party. White Chinet is fine, but you can kick your decorations up a notch by using graduation themed paper goods. Even if you just go with themed napkins and dessert plates it makes a big statement:
Usually there are two colors--do one color cloth to the floor and do the other color as a topper and reverse them from table to table for a great look. Also, do both color napkins at each table--every other place setting. For napkin rings, wrap garland around each napkin.

For a fun centerpiece you can place graduation caps upside down on your tables. First, partially fill the cap with paper shreds (to fluff it up) and then place a selection of the following:
  • 2013 graduation glasses - Because you love them so much at New Years you should have them at the graduation party too!
  • Graduation lumitons - Give your guests an opportunity to decorate themselves and the party with these fun light ups.
  • Beads - Choose the colors of the graduate's old school and new school.
Your guests will put on the wearables in no time (which will put a big smile on their faces)!

If your not up to creating your own centerpieces, here are a few more options:
We know your guests are going to be tired from all of the partying they will be doing so serve bottled water with one of our personalized water bottle labels. Pick one that works with your theme and matches the style of the graduate. Remember, it is about them. We also really like this graduation inflatable cooler. Sure you can roll out one of your regular coolers, but this is a special event, so why not?
 
Graduation Party Favors
Again, I say stick with your theme. Go with something that fits with your graduate and the theme of the party. Here are a few of our favorites that are sure to be a hit at your graduation party this year -
Try a photo themed graduation party, since these events lend themselves to reminiscing. Leave out a photo album or two and people will remember events and be happy to share those memories. And set up a 2013 photo op and hand out personalized cameras to let your guests make some great new memories!
    Have a fantastic graduation party, and give my congratulations to the guest of honor!