Your baby is all grown up and about to graduate from high school. We know what you’re thinking, “Where did the time go?!” Just remember, graduation is an emotional time for everyone. For parents, this is the end of an era. The days of helping with homework, attending science fairs, taking prom pictures, and fighting about curfews will soon be over. We know it’s bittersweet, but don’t let yourself forget what an accomplishment this is for your son or daughter. They’ve worked hard for 12 years to get to this point, and they’ve made it! This is a major moment in your child’s life, one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. It’s important to celebrate this triumph with the party that they deserve. We’ve got some advice for your graduation party planning!
Unlike their childhood birthday parties, this party is for a young adult. Treat your son or daughter as such and involve them in the planning process. After all, they’ll be out on their own soon, so this is a great opportunity to teach them a thing or two about budgeting… Which brings us to step one – set your budget. Once you figure out your budget, the rest of the pieces can fall into place and the whole event becomes a lot easier to plan.
Set the Date
Selecting a date and time is one of the most important things to get your Grad’s feedback on. Obviously your son or daughter won’t be the only one having a graduation party. Chances are, there will be lots of overlap and some people just won’t be able to attend. That’s okay. All you can do is try to pick a time that works for most people. Keep in mind that late May through June is the busy season for graduation parties, and coincidentally, a busy time for other celebrations. Avoid hosting your party on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Memorial Day weekends, as it’s likely that most people will have plans with their families. It’s also wise to avoid hosting your party the afternoon of graduation, as many students will be busy taking photos or having family celebrations and won’t be able to break away. While it may feel like some of the momentum has worn off, don’t be afraid to host your party in July (or August, for that matter, if you’d like to have a Graduation/Going-Away-to-College Party). Discuss these potential speed bumps with your Grad and let them make the final call – after all, this party is all about them!
Venue & Decor
Many families host their graduation party in their own homes and backyards, or at local parks. The nice thing about having the party at your home is that you can plan for an outdoor party, but if weather isn’t on your side, you can always move the party indoors. With parks or other outdoor spaces, weather can be kind of tricky. Consider reserving tents from a Tent Rental Company. Most rental companies have very reasonable cancellation policies, allowing you to cancel closer to the date if it looks like the weather will cooperate.
Regardless of your venue, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have plenty of tables and chairs for your guests. Dress the tables with table cloths in your Grad’s school colors and top them with fun, graduation-themed centerpieces. Other popular decorations include Graduation-themed banners, streamers, and balloons.
Invite Guests
When it comes to the guest list, determine how big your Grad wants this party to be. If they’re looking to host a block party, don’t be shy! Invite the whole family, your Grad’s friends and families, their favorite teachers, the neighbors and their kids, and anyone else you’d like to have around. If you’re hosting a party with an extensive guest list, it’s not a bad idea to go Open House style. Open Houses encourage staggered arrivals and departures, which will keep the party fun with fresh faces without feeling over-crowded.
For a more casual party, an email or Facebook invite might be sufficient. But, if you’re planning a formal dinner or other classy event, custom invitations are a nice touch. As an added bonus, you can always hold on to the paper invitation as a keepsake! It’s best to send out invitations 3-6 weeks in advance to allow guests to take time off from work, find a baby-sitter, or shop for the perfect graduation gift!
Food & Drink
As far as food is concerned, a barbecue is the usual go-to for grad parties. But, don’t be afraid to switch it up! Since people will most likely be mingling, it’s best to aim for finger foods or other little to no-mess snacks. Graduation parties are a great time to hire a Caterer to do the work for you, so that you can enjoy time with your family and not worry about replenishing the snack table. Add a celebratory touch to the festivities by booking a Bartender to serve up fun mocktails for the new high school graduates and adult beverages for the parents!
Like most celebrations, graduation calls for cake eating! If you order from a Cake Decorator, make sure you allow plenty of notice, as it’s a busy time of year for them. Talk to your cake decorator about preparing other celebratory sweets, like graduation-inspired chocolate covered strawberries!
Entertainment
Let the good times roll at your graduation party! While it’s important to leave some time for mixing and mingling, it’s also a great occasion for a DJ or a Cover Band to play all of popular songs from your Grad’s high school years. (You hate it now, but you’re going to miss their “music” when they go off to college!)
If you’re having a formal dinner celebration, consider hiring live musicians to accompany your meal. String Quartets or Jazz Bands add a touch of class to any occasion, and a fancy affair is a great way to send your Grad off into adulthood. Check out all your college entertainment options on GigSalad!
Thank You!
Guests will likely bring a gift for the new Grad. Make sure that someone keeps a log of who each gift is from, so that your Grad can send out individual thank you notes after the party is over. After all, they’ve got a dorm room to furnish and every bit helps! Gifts aside, encourage your Grad to thank each and every guest for coming and sharing this special moment with them.
So, there you have it. Take a deep breath and get to planning! Print our Grad Checklist to keep on track with your party planning.