It's A Graduation Party!!!

It's that time of year, graduation parties!  


Are you one of those parents who will be planning a high school or college graduation party?  If so, you want to make it as memorable and unique as the person who you are throwing the party for.  Planning a small or large get together depends on the preparations of planning every single detail from the guest list to the music.  To make the planning go smoothly, I have listed tips and resources to make sure you have every detail from beginning to ending covered.

One of the first things you should do before you begin the planning the details is to ask your graduate what they want and how they can help.  After all, this is their big day to celebrate one of the greatest accomplishments of their life, finishing twelve years of schooling!  Here are some questions you can ask your teenager about how he/she would like to celebrate their graduation:

What kind of graduation party do you want?  Big party or small family dinner?
Depending on your teen’s personality, they may not want to have the big hoopla of a graduation party but opt for a small family dinner with their closest loved ones.  If your graduate has chosen a party, then the real decisions in planning have to be made.  

Who should we invite?
Remember, this is your teen's party.  The guests should include friends and family of the graduate to join in the celebration.  Have your teen make a list of those he/she wants to have attend the party and let them that you would like to invite your closest friends to celebrate your child's achievement.  Making a list of persons closest to your teen and to yourself makes the party feel more special and personable. Once you have decided on the list, start planning the invites.  You don't have to order those expensive invites from the school when you have the world at your fingertips.  Vistaprint is one of many online resources where you can develop your own invites and make it as creative as you want.

Set a date and time for the graduation party.
Unfortunately, the first few weekends in June are the busiest not only for graduation parties but for weddings as well, and setting a date that doesn't conflict with a friend's graduation party is difficult.  Holding off your party until August is a little late, but reasonable.   Have your graduate tell you when other parties are being held and talk about various dates when to have your graduation party.  The more options you have, the better, but start your planning at least six weeks before the party!

Plan your graduation party budget. 

Once you have made the list of how many guests you will be inviting to the graduation party next you need to decide how much plan to spend and start checking for prices of the different things you would like to have or do. This includes decorations, drinks, food, utensils, party rental supplies, thank yous, postage and invitations.  Write everything all down and compare prices!  

Find a place to have the graduation party. 
Deciding where you are going to have your graduation party depends a lot on the number of people attending.  The larger the guest list, the larger the venue needed and the larger the budget!  Keep all this mind as you make your plans and remember plans do change.  

Traditionally graduation parties are held at home, but keep your options open by having your party at the park, beach, hall or even on a boat!  Think outside the box and chose a venue that is as unique as your graduate and one that will be memorable for all your guests.

Choose a fun theme and decorate.
Many opt for the graduation themed party, but try something different.  Theme your party with the graduates college they will be attending.  Purchase decorations of the college colors and banners with the schools name.  Online stores such as Oriental Trading have an array of party themed supplies to accommodate every party.  For more specific decorations you may need to visit the college website to purchase elite decorations and websites like Birthday Direct has a vast selection of colleges throughout the United States.  Also, special touches such as personalized candy or cups make it an even more unique party.  Visit mymms website to order personalized M & M's, candy bars and other unique items.

Pay attention to every single detail of the decorating process from napkins to lighting.  Coordinate napkins, cups, tablecloths, plates and even flowers with the colors of the school.  This kind of detail is what makes the party special and classy.  Don't skimp out on cheap plastic-ware, but purchase higher end supplies.  This tells your guests you care and are proud of the party you have put together for your special graduate.  

Decide on the menu.
To cater or not to cater?  This is one of many questions that you will have to answer.  Which ever your choose you will have to decide what you will be serving.  Simplest route to take is buffet style catering with your traditional foods of chicken, mostacolli, salads and potatoes.  

Why not go for a more unique approach and hire a caterer that brings his equipment to your party site and all the food is cooked there as the guests watch the pig being roasted, the chicken slowly turning on the rotissiere, the salad being freshly chopped, the vegetables slowly boiling and all of this coming together for an unforgettable meal?  This type of catering can be more costly, but the effect of watching the meal come together can be part of the entertainment and what a conversation starter for your guests!

Get some help for party day. 
Twenty-four hours in a day seem like plenty of time to get everything ready for the day of the graduation party.  Before you know it, you are frantically running around trying to get all the last minute touches complete before the guests arrive.  To save you from insanity, gather anyone and everyone to help you do all the preparations.  Whether it's a sibling, spouse or hired helper, you will need lots of help on the day of the party. Assign people tasks for the day of the party and make them responsible for things like drinks, plates, appetizers, sitting and gifts.  After all, this is a special day for you as it is for your child.  You want to enjoy the festivities and lessen the responsibilities of the party so  you can kick back and enjoy this moment.  

Unique Ideas for Graduation Parties

• Set your invitations apart from other invites.  Grab a calligraphy pen, neatly write out your information, roll the special paper up and tie the invite with your color theme.  Format your invite to look like a high school diploma, when it's really an invite!
• Play pin the mustache on the teacher. Blow up a picture from the year book of one of your child's teachers and watch as his/her classmates have fun pinning the mustache.
• If it's hot outside, a water balloon toss is always fun, (played just like and egg toss but not as messy). Choose the balloon colors to match the school colors.
• Have a sign in board. You can use a large scroll to keep the diploma theme or place pictures of as many of the classmates as you can find around the edges of a large poster board. Have the guests write a special message to the graduate.  After the party, laminate the board as a memoir. 
• Don't try to have too many activities. Teens love to just get together, talk and listen to music.  Make sure that music is what your teen wants.  Have a DJ and prior to the party, have your child make a list of songs to play at the party and make sure the DJ takes requests from the guests and let them dance the night away!