If you know someone who is about to graduate and want the perfect way to celebrate the occasion, then you have come to the right place! Now's the time to get creative and throw a party to remember. Continue reading "The Perfect Graduation Celebration" »
As graduation approaches, students of all kinds are getting ready to close one chapter and begin another. This could be the little kid in preschool going on to kindergarten or a doctoral student who will be graduating with their Ph.D. A party thrown for a college graduate will be different from that of a preschooler, or even high school senior, however, they all have one thing in common: Celebrating the graduate. Continue reading "5 Epic Graduation Party Ideas" »
Graduation is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Whether it is kindergarten, high school or the college level, honor your special grad and try a few of these party ideas!
Memorable Menu
Appetizers or pick-up foods are usually a great option for a graduation party. A cake, cupcakes or cookies can be decorated complete with mortarboard and even school colors. Many recipes can be altered or created with graduation in mind. Make sandwiches that look like a diploma by rolling turkey or ham inside and tying it with a chive. Use individual pepperonis and write out the graduation year on top of baked cheese dip. Sit out ring pop “graduation rings” for party favors. Consider the age and interests of your guests when you plan your menu.
Graduation is quickly approaching and it's time to start planning those graduation parties. However, need some tips on throwing your graduation party? Wedding and Party Network has a few that will help ensure a memorable night. Continue reading "Steps to Throwing a Graduation Party" »
Graduation is upon us so now is the time to start planning a graduation party to commemorate this momentous occasion. It's the start of a new life for high school graduates so this occasion absolutely requires a party. Wedding and Party Network has a few party tips on creating a fabulous graduation party.
Personalized graduation party decorations – A great way to decorate for a graduation party is with personalized items. The first thing you must do is choose the colors. The easiest way to go is with their school colors.
Next, find photos that captures from the time they were born up until present day. You can turn these photos into posters, confetti, yard signs, napkins and even create a fun timeline to use as a banner over the food table. Yes, anything can be personalized.
Also, it might be fun to use items they used throughout high school. Maybe they were a cheerleader, baseball player, volleyball player or a member of various clubs. Use items like their pom poms, baseballs or uniforms for decor. The key is to make it as personal as you can and to commemorate this big occasion in their life.
What to serve – The easiest thing to serve is their favorite foods. What did they enjoy eating when they were a child, favorite snack foods or dinners? Serve what they enjoy. This party is all about them. Also, don't forget about the graduation cake. Talk with your local bakery about some ideas. You can easily have their picture featured on the cake or include their favorite activities.
The key to a graduation party is making it personal. They'll love looking back on some of their favorite moments through elementary and high school. Make this party all about them.
Graduation is quickly approaching. Are you ready to send your children off to college and to celebrate this special time in their life? It's definitely a celebration! Therefore, a party is in order. Have you decided what to do for graduation party? There are lots of different ideas and themes that you can go with. So, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas for your graduation party.
The main thing to focus on with this party is the theme and party detailing. First off, pick a site. The venue doesn't have to be anything all out, unless you are inviting everyone in town and making it one big celebration for all the graduates. So, if it's just for close family members, let the party location be at home or even the grad's favorite restaurant.
Once you figure out the location, think about the decor. You can keep it simple or really play up the graduation theme. The graduate may be tired of school, however, use that as the theme of the graduation party. You can truly find inspiration for a graduation party through school. Find inspiration from notebook doodles, books, pencils and all the other school supplies that you find in school.
Place photos of everywhere of the graduate from the time they started to school up until now. It'll be a fun touch. For the centerpieces, pick their favorite books and stack them, tie ribbon and then place a floral arrangement on top that are accented with pencils, pens and crayons. Don't forget about the graduation caps and diplomas.
Next up, settle on the menu. If you've chosen their favorite restaurant, then you won't have to worry about the food. However, if you have chosen to host this party at your home, have their favorite restaurant cater the grand affair or cook their favorite foods. This party is all about them and celebrating, therefore, having what they enjoy is an absolute must. You can even recruit family members in creating some of their favorite foods. Don't forget to include cute desserts like a graduation cake with a childhood photo on it or cupcakes with graduation caps that you can make with a miniature reese's cup and piece of chocolate bar.
Remember, this party is simple to host. Just remember to make this party all about the graduate. Include all of their favorite things like the food, colors, location and decor. It's all about the graduate for this party.
This post is brought to you by Houston Caterers.
Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a caterer near you!
Graduation is a perfect time to celebrate! Throwing an open house to honor your graduate's entrance into the adult world is a great way of expressing and celebrating your excitement for their new adventure. This party theme will give the new graduate a big congratulations on all their accomplishments.
Choosing a party place will be one of the major tasks on your checklist. Many people have open house graduation parties at their home, banquet halls, community centers or local pools. Often parents will collaborate and throw joint parties to save a little money.
You will want to set up a designated parking area to avoid problems with neighbors or blocking the streets. Some times neighborhood churches or community locations will allow you to use their parking lots with prior notice. This is something you can show on the invitations.
Once the place is chosen you can start working on putting together your graduation invitations. You will want to make sure that they are sent out to family, friends and teachers at least 3-4 weeks before the party. Include an RSVP if you want, asking for a response 1-2 weeks before the party. Most Open House Parties will last 3-5 hours or more.
When throwing a graduation open house, choose to have the party catered or stick with the very popular buffet style theme. Setting up several food stations throughout the area is a good way to keep guests circulating and to help avoiding a long line at the food table. Great graduation foods are: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fried chicken, finger foods and sandwiches. Cake, cupcakes, or ice cream bars are great desert ideas. Set up several locations for guests to sit and chat whether they are benches, or folding chairs, bench swings, sturdy canvass seats.
When choosing the party decor you will want to play off of the graduates favorite color, the school color or the classic black and gold graduation colors. Using balloons, streamers, banners, tables clothes, plates, cups and eating utensils in the same color scheme.
Make sure to keep track of gifts and who they came from so that your graduate will be sure to send Thank you notes to all of your guests within a week or two after the party.
This post is brought to you by Philadelphia Caterers.
Not in Philadelphia, PA No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a caterer near you!
Graduation cap photo provided by billaday via flickr.
Don the robe, get in line, smile for camera and wait for Pomp and Circumstance. Got it. Don't walk too closely behind the person in front of you, shake a few hands, and return to your seat. Say your congratulations, your goodbyes and wish everyone luck. Great job. Now what? It's time to party! Throwing a graduation party is like answering an open-ended question. There is no right or wrong answer, and the possibilities are endless! It's a fantastic opportunity to get creative, have some fun and send your graduate off into the world in style. However, having so many choices can be overwhelming. By sticking to a few basics, you can have your graduation cake and eat it too.
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Whether you are celebrating a promotion in the office, throwing a lavish party at home or planning the BEST reception in Connecticut, Marianne Wilson Catering will bring their passion for food to your party!
Read More about Marianne Wilson Catering: Food, with Passion!
Wedding butterfly releases are like nothing you have ever seen. Imagine walking out into the light as a new couple as dozens of Monarchs are released, landing on flowers and fluttering among the crowd of loved ones wishing you well.
Read More about Beginning a New Life With a Wedding Butterfly Release From Butterfly Sales Outlet.
Wedding and party favors are a great way to give each guest a small keepsake to remember your big event. Plant A Memory has gone a step above that with her plantable favors. Wedding guests can take their little tree seedling favor, or plantable cards and add them to their garden or landscaping to grow for years to come.
Read More about growing lasting memories with Plant A Memory Wedding & Party Favors.
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Don the robe, get in line, smile for camera and wait for Pomp and Circumstance. Got it. Don't walk too closely behind the person in front of you, shake a few hands, and return to your seat. Say your congratulations, your goodbyes and wish everyone luck. Great job. Now what? It's time to party!
Throwing a graduation party is like answering an open-ended question. There is no right or wrong answer, and the possibilities are endless! It's a fantastic opportunity to get creative, have some fun and send your graduate off into the world in style.
However, having so many choices can be overwhelming. By sticking to a few basics, you can have your graduation cake and eat it too.
1. To Theme or Not to Theme?
Not every graduation party needs a theme. However, now is the time to take that great idea you've been carrying around and go for it! Choose something of interest to your graduate–a favorite movie, location, or sports team. Just about anything and everything can be used as theme for a graduation party. That being said, it's important to keep in mind who is coming to the party before choosing a theme.
2. Guests.
Because many of your graduate's friends will be celebrating with their families on graduation night, it's safe to assume the same will be true for your graduate. Plan accordingly. If grandparents, families with small children or aunts and uncles are going to be in attendance, it may be wise to leave the D.J. and disco ball behind in favor of seating and more traditional fare.
You can still have a fun theme, just follow more mature guidelines. Take advantage of a talented cake designer, florist or decorator to create a fun atmosphere with a grown-up vibe. Otherwise, choose a weekend before or after graduation to throw a party for your graduate's friends.
3. Gifts?
This is one occasion where gifts are truly optional. Your graduate has probably been receiving monetary gifts in the mail for months (don't forget to send thank-you notes!). It's not necessary for guests to feel obligated to bring something more. Some guests may call and ask what to bring. Remind them that it's their presence that is most important.
Three easy considerations is all it takes for a graduation party to go off without a hitch! Remember, it's all about the graduate! Large, small, rowdy or quaint, your special person is taking a major leap into a new life. A few easy steps is all it takes to make that leap a little more special.
Photos Courtesy of clevercupcakes and TN Something Special Cakes.
This post is sponsored by Boston, Massachusetts party bands.
Ask The Celebration Advisor:
Really need some advice/ideas. I've been asked to help plan a 60th wedding anniversary/high school graduation celebration on the same day..same deck. The deck has two separate sides, so two themes are feasible, but am at a loss as to how to make them connect in some fun way. (Grandparents & grandson).
Any ideas? I'm thinking garden party on one side..dance party on other? I've done a couple weddings and floral design, but this one has me pulling my hair out! HELP!!!
–Trish
Celebration Advisor Reply:
First of all, congratulations on celebrating two major milestones! No matter what ideas you choose, I'm sure it's going to be a special day!
I like your idea of hosting two separate parties that work well together. Having a more mature get together on one side, featuring seating areas and hors d'oeuvres, and a space for dancing and gathering on the other side will allow guests to move between the two spaces and celebrate as a family.
Unify the spaces using a single color palette for the entire party. Choose a couple of neutral colors and an accent color that will suit both parties. For an example we will use white, silver and blue. One the anniversary side, choose white table cloths, flowers and silver vases to create an elegant, comfortable atmosphere. Add blue napkins, ribbons and candies for a punch of color.
On the graduation party side, bring in sliver, white and blue balloons to create an upbeat vibe. Rent a strobe light or disco ball to complete the dance floor feel. Serve snacks on blue plates, or mix a blue punch as a colorful drink option. Fill out the decor with greenery, snacks and other decorations you find at your local supply store. Get creative! Guests can share one cake, and your invitations can serve double-duty by sticking to a single color palette.
Color is a great way to unify the two parties, while appealing to the substantially different demographics. From a distance, the deck will look cohesive, but guests will feel at home on both sides and maybe even mix and mingle between the two areas.
This Celebration Advisor post is sponsored by Wedding and Party Network.
