High school graduation is a great excuse to throw a celebratory party with friends and family
As the weather continues to warm up, high school graduation is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to celebrate. Many families and students decide to have a high school graduation party at the end of the school year to commend graduates on their accomplishment. If you’re a parent of a graduate, you’ve probably considered the idea of throwing a party to show your teen how proud you are. However, you may be feeling the pressure of planning and paying for a celebration.
Fortunately, there are many ways to throw a successful and affordable graduation bash without stressing out. Here are some tips to help you plan a successful soiree:
Pick a date
As graduation creeps closer, chances are you won’t be the only one having a party. Fortunately, you will probably have more time to have a graduation party once the summer begins. Friends and family members will likely be busy toward the end of the school year, so it’s important that you choose a date that isn’t too overcrowded with other commitments. For example, try to avoid scheduling your graduation party for Memorial Day weekend when many people may be traveling or have other conflicts. In addition, be wary about planning your party near graduation weekend, as many students and their families will likely want to celebrate.
Join forces
If your graduate is set on having a party, consider a joint party with one or two of their close friends to share the cost and responsibilities. Speak with the parents of the other graduates about combining forces for a party where you can coordinate with one another for food, decorations and guests. This a great option for graduates who want to celebrate with their own party but don’t want scheduling conflicts.
Location
Where you will have the party will largely depend on how many people you plan to invite. If you’ve got a yard or patio, having guests over to your own home is a great option. A backyard bash is a common for a low-key celebration, but you can also add decorations that will bring some life to the space. Don’t be afraid to host at home, but you can rent out local venues to accommodate all your guests. You can also consider taking your party to an unconventional location, such as a cruise ship or ferry, though you should make sure the distance and cost are not too extensive.
What you’ll need
Once you’ve figured out when and where you will have the party, there are a number of things you will need to consider for a big blowout.
- Decorations: A graduation party already has its own theme that is relatively easy to decorate. You can create a special atmosphere for guests with your graduate’s school colors for table clothes, napkins, balloons and cups.
- Food: While you don’t need to set up a formal dinner for all your guests, you will need some food and drink. As a special treat, you could consider making snack-size versions of your teen’s favorite foods or serve a one-of-a-kind mocktail to their friends. If your party is in the yard, grilled foods that are easy to prepare can be a popular choice. To celebrate, cupcakes or cake are appropriate desserts. Above all, you will want to make sure there is enough food and drinks for all your guests.
- Activities: To entertain your guests, think about a few simple activities for the party. Lawn games like badminton, bocce ball or cornhole are fun and easy to set up. Also consider hiring a DJ or play music for a celebratory environment.
Determine a budget
One of the hardest parts of party planning is budgeting. It can be tempting to overspend for a great party, but it is possible to do everything without breaking the bank. When it comes to keeping a party budget low, one of the best approaches is limiting the number of people you invite. Determine how much you are willing spend in total before factoring in individual costs like food and decorations.
Next, make a list of everything that you need or hope to have at the party. Making decorations and cooking at home will help cut down costs and having the party at your home means you won’t pay to rent a location. Allocate money to each category and stick to these limits when shopping to ensure you don’t overspend.
Send out invites
Once you’ve figured out the essential elements of planning the party, you or your graduate will need to send out invitations. Try to get these out a few weeks before the party and include directions to your house or venue. You can handmake these with your graduate, print some or order invites depending on your theme and budget. It can be a nice touch to include a picture of your graduate to remind guests of his or her accomplishment.
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