How to Throw a Graduation Party

By eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor

Throw a Graduation Party

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

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

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

Step1

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

Step2

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.

Step3

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

Step4

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.

Step5

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.

Step6

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

Step7

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

Step8

Replenish food and drink as needed throughout the party.

Step9

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.

Step10

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.

Comments

Anonymous said

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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.

Anonymous said

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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.

Anonymous said

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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.

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