How to Throw a Graduation Party

If your party is properly planned, everything should come together smoothly on the big day.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Candles
• Party Decorations
• Beverages
• Cakes
• Music CDs
• Paper Goods
• Camcorders
• Cameras
• Film
• Candles
• Cameras

1. Put up the decorations. Generally, these do not have to be elaborate for a graduation party.

2. Prepare the food. Do as much as you can early in the day so you can be ready to put food out before guests arrive.

3. Pick up the cake. This should be displayed in a prominent place so all the graduates will see it.

4. Prepare beverages. If you are honoring high school grads, this may involve chilling sodas or mineral water, but if college graduates are coming, chill some beer or wine.

5. Set the table if you are having a sit-down meal, or arrange plates and utensils if you are serving appetizers or finger foods only.

6. Do last-minute things just before guests arrive, such as turning on music, lighting candles and setting out food and beverages.

7. Greet guests and make sure they are introduced if they don't know each other.

8. Replenish food and drink as needed throughout the party.

9. Let guests mingle and talk. Take photos and videotape. Remember that everyone will soon be going their separate ways and this is a good time to make a permanent record of high school or college friendships.

10. Cut the cake with much fanfare and a short speech of congratulations.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you are serving college graduates, remember to provide sodas or mineral water for designated drivers and for partygoers who don't drink alcohol.
• Instead of having a big party, you might wish to take a few graduates out for a nice dinner.
• Make sure that no liquor is served if graduates are not old enough to drink legally.

on 6/30/2006 My twins (boy and girl) are graduating this year and my husband and I are actually pretty calm about throwing their graduation party (we have had everything planned since December). We are having it in our backyard, because to throw it in a hall would have been too much money. This way it's also more intimate. One tip; just be calm and don't go crazy when planning.

on 11/22/2005 I held an after-grad party for my closest friends and they stayed overnight. We went through pictures and time capsules, and gave one another gifts. It was a great way to get together before we all went our separate ways.

on 11/22/2005 We pitched tents in our backyard so that our friends would not drink and drive. We had a blast - 20 puptents across the lawn! Everyone enjoyed it and we even made s'mores.