How to Plan a Graduation Party with a Bang

It is not every day that somebody from your family or circle of friends graduates. And regardless of the level, be it from elementary, high school, college, or graduate school, we naturally want to celebrate their accomplishments in the best way we can. One way of doing that is by throwing a party. In this article, you will get a graduation party checklist and learn how to plan a graduation party with a bang in just 5 steps.

Decide When and Where

If you are asking how to throw a graduation party, then the first step you need to do is to decide the date. Preferably it is within a week or two after graduation. Once you have chosen when to do it, ask yourself how much you are willing to spend. Write down your budget and the features you want to have. Estimate the number of guests and the expenses for food, rentals, etc. Likewise, based on your budget, identify the venue.

Generally speaking,the groceries and other graduation party supplies you will need should be settled two weeks before the party. Also, last-minute preparations for the party should be done a day or three before it. Tasks like decorating the venue (if you’ll be the one to decorate), preparing the food (if you’ll be the one to cook), and cleaning the house (if it will be in your home) should be finished around this time to lessen problems.

Send Out Your Invitations

Once you have decided on the date and venue, you can now proceed with the invitations. Make sure that the invitation is a reflection of the party you’re gonna have. Also, do not forget the following information

• Full name
• Name of school where the person will graduate
• Honors, degree, or achievement
• Graduation year
• Time, date, and location of the graduation party
• Clarifications such as attire and no gifts explication, if possible

Plan the Menu

Based on the budget you allotted for the food, decide what you want to be part of the menu. The food you serve can range from crepes and sandwiches to fajitas and tacos. In short, anything, just make sure that they are within your budget. People will not be there for the food, so have the food that the “person of the day” likes.

To further give you ideas, here are some of the foods that you can serve:

• Pizza rolls

• Buffalo wings

• Hamburgers

• French fries

• Antipasto skewers

• Fried chickens

• Fish sticks

• Mini quiche

• Pasta

• Jalapeno Poppers

• Tea sandwiches

• Lamb chops

• Steak bites

• Cupcakes

Decorate the Venue

The ideas for an outdoor graduation party are limitless. If you are undecided about the decoration, you can consider the person’s interests or personality. A few tips on how to set up your party：

1. If the graduate is sporty, then a sport-themed party will be good.

2. Or the person likes a certain movie, you can make it the theme.

3. Besides, if you want a simple but eye-catching theme, decorate the party in your graduate school colors.

4. Moreover, you can also search on the net for inspiration.

Regardless of the main theme, do not forget to include graduation-themed decorations like graduation cap centerpieces. Once you have finalized what you want to do, list the things you need to create them and go shopping. Once you have the supplies, you can start creating the decorations.

Choose the Activities

While it is true that people at parties just talk to each other or just drop by quickly to say their congratulations, it will not harm to have some prepared activities and things to do at a graduation party. These things can serve as icebreakers for those who are a little bit shy to socialize or as a way to make the event funnier and more meaningful. Graduation party activities need not be complex. Some that you can include are:

• Bring Me
• Congratulatory wall
• Cornhole
• Graduation Cap TicTacToe
• Guess the Teacher
• Longest “Happy Graduation”
• Photo booth and a congratulatory wall
• Steal the Grad Cap

Note: If the party is to be held outdoors, a portable power station can be used to power the speakers and other devices that require electricity. A portable power station like Anker 757 PowerHouse, with its 1229Wh capacity, 1500 wattage, and 13 ports, can help you lessen the hassle of connecting every wire inside your home.

Conclusion

Everyone wants the best for the person they love and cherish, more if these people are celebrating a milestone in their lives. But how to plan a graduation party can be tedious at times. But with the steps above, be it a simple dinner or an outdoor party, having that celebration for your loved ones will surely end with a bang. So, what are you waiting for? Start your graduation party plan now.

FAQs about How to Plan a Graduation Party

What kind of food do you serve at a graduation party?

The food you can serve at a graduation party is really up to you or the graduate’s palate. The selection is limitless; you can go for finger foods, light meals, or a heavy one; just make sure it goes well with your budget and party setup.

What time should a graduation party start?

A graduation party can start anytime, but it is ideal to start at 10 am to noon or late in the afternoon up to early evening like from 4-7 pm. A late afternoon party or an early evening party/dinner gives time for attendees to prepare. It also allows those people from work to take part in it.

What not to do at a grad party?

Although gathering to celebrate the graduate’s achievement is already a fun thing, there are many things not to do at a grad party.

• First, make sure everyone acts responsibly. Some people may tendto have excessive drinking or do other inappropriate activities.
• Besides, you should not order or cook too much food, but have it based on your estimated attendees.
• Finally, avoid overcrowding in the venue, and make sure everyone’s safety is taken into consideration.