Graduations are a milestone in one’s life and time for celebration, but graduation party planning can be a bit nerve wracking. After all, a graduation represents a significant event and you want this occasion to be memorable. If you have a graduation celebration coming up and you are in charge of planning the party, here are a few graduation party ideas to make your celebration unique and a lot of fun.
First Things First: Date, Time and Place
The very most important detail is the date and time of the party. Between social activities and preparing for last minute test and exams, graduate tend to be incredibly busy. Check in with your graduate and nail down the time and date of the party. Make sure it’s on their calendar!
Next, create a budget, even if it is a best guestimate. It is so easy to just start spending without thinking about the big picture. Make sure you put your resources, whether it is time or money, into creating what you want.
Now is the time to secure a place for the party. If it’s going to be at home, perfect. If not, check out local hotels, restaurants, banquet halls or specialty locations for availability. As soon as you find the right location, secure the venue.
Create a To-Do List
Anytime there are a lot of details and decisions, is easy for something to slip through the cracks. Take a bit of planning time and write what need to be done, noting any deadlines. If you ever start to feel overwhelmed or think things are out of control, pull out your list and see where you are. You will realize either everything is on schedule or you really do have things that require your immediate attention.
Graduation Party Theme
Graduation party planning instantly becomes a whole lot easier once a theme is chosen. The theme will help tie everything together including food, decorations and entertainment. The theme can be something as simple as a barbecue, sports theme or “off to college” or as crazy as a “what I want to be when I grow up” costume party, a scavenger hunt or a spin off of a TV reality show.
Graduation Party Invitation
Invitations should include all the basics such as date, time, place and a message about what the party is all about. Add a creative touch and tie your theme in with the invitation.
Menu Planning
Your will need to plan both the menu and the quantity for each item you’ll be serving. If possible, make and freeze dishes in advance, because the last day or two before a large party are usually the busiest. Also, it’s best to have a little extra food on hand, just in case any unexpected guests show up.
So now you have the basics of graduation party planning. Jump in and get started, because those last days before the big day have a way of sneaking up on you. Congratulations to the graduate and have a fabulous party!
