For some hosts, planning a party is a super exciting affair when they can get creative and show off their party planning skills. For others, the thought may seem to be a daunting task that puts the pressure on. Don't fret! We're going to help you every step of the way. Planning a graduation party early will help make it seem like an easy endeavour. Follow our ultimate guide for the best tips and the most fun graduation party ideas!
Pick a Venue
Most graduations for school students happen in late spring or early summer when the weather is warm and people are trying to soak up the sunshine. Your own backyard may be the perfect venue. However, there are plenty of other options like public parks, community centers, and restaurants with party rooms or plenty of outdoor seating. While a restaurant may be on the more expensive side of planning a graduation party, it also has the perks of not needing to worry about cooking food and cleaning up afterwards.
Choose a Theme
School colors are a solid choice when planning the theme for a graduation party. While you may not always be able to find party supplies with your specific school logo and name on them, Ultimate Party has you covered with graduation party supplies in popular school colors. We also have a ton of color tableware like cups, plates, napkins, table covers, and more. You can also consider themes based on the graduate's interests and future career plans.
Send Invites
Once you've chosen a theme, you can design your invitations. There are lots of free design platforms for party invites that make it simple and easy. Create your guest list and send your invites out about six weeks in advance for large parties and for out-of-town guests. For smaller, local parties, about a month in advance is adequate when planning a graduation party.
Get Decorations
Remember, a graduation is a momentous occasion that celebrates the achievements of the student. Whether they are graduating from middle school, high school, college, or another level of schooling, they've worked hard and put in lots of time and effort. Your graduation decorations need to reflect their efforts and remind them how proud you are.
Balloons
Use mylar graduation balloons or latex balloons in the school's colors to create balloon bouquets, garland, or go big with arches! You can also use number balloons to state the year of graduation or letter balloons to spell out words like "congrats".
It might seem daunting to create a balloon arch on your own, which is why Ultimate Party offers custom balloon arrangements delivered to your event!
Tableware
Set the scene with themed table covers, flashy table centerpieces, plates, cups, napkins, and other graduation tableware.
Photo Both Props
Everyone will want to take their picture with the esteemed graduate! Photo booth props, scene setters, and backdrops make it easy for guests to take amazing photos for social media or their photo albums.
Outdoor Yard Sign
We don't mean to harp, but graduation is a big deal! Make sure the whole neighborhood knows with a graduation yard sign. An outdoor sign will also help guests find the party location on the big day.
Hanging Decorations
Our guide to planning a graduation party wouldn't be complete without mentioning affordable, yet flashy hanging decorations like streamers, paper fan pop ups, hanging swirl decor, and everything you can find with the classic graduation hat and tassels.
Graduation Speech
It's traditional at a graduation party for someone who is influential in the graduate's life, like a parent figure or mentor, to give a speech which acknowledges all of their hard work and thanks the people who supported the graduate along the way. If the graduate feels comfortable with giving a speech themselves, they can also talk about their experiences of their achievement.
Unique & Fun Graduation Party Ideas
You'll need some special activities and fun graduation party ideas to make the occasion extra memorable. Here's a list of our favorites for planning a graduation party:
- A station where guests can give anonymous advice and wishes for the grad
- Decorate their graduation cap to reflect their personality
- A photo banner of school activities and schoolmates having fun
- Outdoor games worthy of their new sophistication level (think bounce houses for young kids, and cornhole and horseshoe for young adults)
- Fun drinking games like beer pong for adult parties
Graduation is such an exciting time! Whether your child is graduating kindergarten or college, the tears might flow and the warm feelings of pride will glow. Make this special, once in a lifetime achievement a day of celebration the graduate will remember fondly. The Ultimate Party Super Store is the perfect party store to get started planning a graduation party. Explore our huge selection of premium tableware, decorations, and party supplies today!
