As a parent, you got them through the scary first days of kindergarten and the drama-filled weeks in middle school. They’ve finally made it into that graduation cap and gown and it’s time to celebrate! We have some ideas to help you pull off the perfect grad party, plus a printable checklist to keep you on track.
Establish the base details
It’s important to get the basics down before you get to the fun part of graduation party planning—the theme and the menu! Knowing these details will help you send out the invitations so friends and family have time to plan. Since most graduation ceremonies have a limit on attendees, this will be a nice way to let others join in the celebration.
Build the guest list
Before any party planning can begin, you’ll need to think about who to invite to the celebration. Make a list of family members and family friends who would enjoy attending the party. Your grad’s close friends may be at their own events, but be sure to let them have some input on the guest list, too.
Choose the date, time, and venue
Once you have an idea of how many attendees may be there, you can figure out the best venue, date, and time. Your backyard may be the perfect place for a barbecue and bonfire, or renting a local space may be a better option for big families and lots of friends.
Send invitations
There’s something fun about getting mail in our increasingly paperless world! Once your guest list and details are determined, pick the perfect invitation to notify friends and family. Even if you don’t know your theme yet, you can choose a neutral design to get the word out. Invitations are an excellent place to highlight those lovely senior photos.
Create a Facebook event
Not every family member can attend the party, but a Facebook event can spread the word about your student’s accomplishment! At the very least, it’ll notify family members of the big day so they can send a card, gift, or sweet message. Be sure to include all the details that are on your written invitation and any gift ideas that may be helpful to family and friends.
Plan around your party theme
Now comes the fun part! Choosing a party theme should be all about your grad. Whether it’s a favorite color, a memorable talent or club from school, or simply something they love, try to center your theme around it.
Decide on decorations
When planning your graduation party decorations, you can keep things pretty simple and still stay on theme. Hit your local party supply store for items like banner flags, pom-poms, balloons, tablecloths, and more. You can probably find some grad party favors to pass out to guests, too!
Prepare the menu
One thing we know about teenagers — they’re always hungry! This will likely go for the rest of your guests, too. Think about easy-to-serve food and drinks for your grad party. A local caterer can help you plan the menu and take this party chore off your plate!
If you’d rather handle it yourself, simple offerings like finger sandwiches, tacos, kebobs, or even hotdogs and hamburgers are crowdpleasers. Iced tea, lemonade, or coolers of canned seltzers and soda make it easy for guests to grab refreshments.
Make it memorable
This milestone in your student’s life is a big one, so the party should be unforgettable! Booking live entertainment can really make it special for everyone involved. There are options for any budget and personality type, so don’t be afraid to check out the possibilities.
Pick the perfect performer
Hire a singing guitarist or pianist to play your grad’s favorite songs. Or, take it up a notch with something more dynamic, like a fire dancer or belly dancer, who can perform something simple and breathtaking.
If you prefer ambient entertainment, book an aerialist to perform in a stationary hoop or stilt walker to greet everyone at the entrance. A strolling magician can engage with guests at tables rather than putting on a big stage show.
After the grandparents head home, your party may pick up a bit! Book a local DJ to play all the memorable hits from the year so your student can have one last “high school” dance with all their friends. For the class clown, try hiring a comedian for a light-hearted roast of the new grad.
Capture the big moments
You can’t have an Insta-worthy party if you don’t take a few amazing photos! Your iPhone is good for some simple snaps, but hiring a photographer ensures you’ll have some beautiful pictures for years to come. For the selfie-obsessed students in attendance, book a photo booth complete with silly props and let guests leave with an adorable party favor!
Graduation party planning checklist
We’ve made things easy for you with this handy checklist! Print it and put it on the fridge to stay on track with your grad party planning.
Celebrating with your graduate should be a memory that you’ll both always cherish! And a grad party is the perfect kick-off to the next chapter in life. Be proud of the wonderful person you’ve raised and send them off in style! 🎓
Book something unforgettable for your graduation party! Find the best entertainment and services on GigSalad.
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.