How to Plan a Graduation Celebration Party
A successful graduation party requires careful planning well in advance of the actual date. Most graduating students and families hold their parties within the two weeks before or after the commencement date, so there are often a lot of conflicting parties, especially if your graduate attends a large school. Graduation parties do not have to be elaborate to be enjoyable. In fact, many are simple affairs that simply serve to bring loved ones together to celebrate this milestone in a student's life. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Discuss the idea of having a joint party with the family of another graduating student. With so many parties occurring in such a limited time period, it is often a good idea to throw a joint gathering for two or more students who have mutual friends. This not only helps cut down on your costs, but there will also be one fewer party people will have to fit into their schedules.
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Choose a date and let others know to save it for your celebration. If your party is for a high school graduation, try to get the information out two to three months ahead of the gathering. This will not prevent others at your school from having parties at the same time as yours, but will hopefully steer families with mutual guests from having their celebration at the same time as yours. Send "save the date" cards, use social media group announcements or employ other e-invite methods a month or two before mailing out the actual party invitations.
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Mail out the actual invitations about a month or three weeks before the party and request that guests RSVP so you can get a head count.
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Figure out your budget for the party and the type of venue in which you want to hold the event. Decide if you want the party to be in your home, at a restaurant, at a banquet room or at some other site.
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Estimate the amount of food and drink you will need. If you know there will be multiple parties on the day of your gathering -- which is not unusual during a high school graduation season -- plan for a little less food. Guests often have to attend other parties before or after yours and may just nibble or sip on your refreshments. Compare catering company prices or devise the menu you will be cooking. Several weeks before your party, finalize your plans with a catering company, if you have decided to go that route.
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Plan if the party will be indoors or outdoors. If it is an outdoor affair, have a contingency plan ready -- such as tents or space indoors -- in case it rains on the day of the party.
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Shop for your refreshments if you are catering the party yourself. Purchase non-perishables such as sodas a week or two ahead of the party and perishables the day of or the day before your party. Order a cake two or more days before your party for pickup on the day of the party. If you will need items such as fresh bread, you may want to place an order for these, as well. Stores sometimes run out of these types of items during the graduation party season.
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Decorate and do your set-up the day before the party, if possible. Use balloons and graduation-themed decorations to add a festive touch. Have a table with photos of the graduate, showing him with friends and family members over the years. People enjoy the step down memory lane and seeing themselves with the graduate.
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Buy ice and fill coolers with drinks several hours before your guests arrive. Set up your food stations close to the time you expect your guests. Place trash cans or bags at different locations around the party
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Choose a collection point for any gifts that may be brought to the party. Since many people give gifts of cash, gift cards and checks to graduates, select a location where these gifts will be secure or under watchful eyes.
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References
- Photo Credit graduate and his wife image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
