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Parent and Student Information The Graduation Guide  |
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Decorations and Themes Give the graduate a say in party planning If you really want to do something different, that will be remembered, try a theme party. Use one of these great ideas or get inspired and create your own theme. Off to College Is the graduate going to college? Deck the walls with college pennants, banners and jerseys from their new school. Check out the school’s web sites. Many colleges sell merchandise over the Internet. Does the graduate’s future college lend itself to an even more specific theme party? Texas BBQ? Florida Beaches? Boston Seafood? Friends Co-host a party with a few other families and emphasize the friendships in the invitations and memorabilia. Plan a “keep in touch activity” for all the graduates who attend. Offer to produce a “directory” that will list their addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and other pertinent information. School Spirit! Really emphasize the school you are graduating from by decorating with the school colors, logo and team jerseys. Include candy that comes in your school colors, ie. M&Ms, suckers, Skittles. Thank You Invite all of the graduate’s teachers, coaches, neighbors and special friends who helped them along their way. Jock Rock Is the graduate into sports? Do they love the music played at sporting events? Develop a theme around their favorite sports. Hang all their old jerseys on clotheslines around the yard, or in the house. (The little ones are real cute). Buy all of the Jock Rock CDs (a collection of music played at professional sports events) and play them during the party! Class Clown Has the graduate always been a fun loving kid? Celebrate this uniqueness with an inspirational focus on humor. Ask your guests to think of funny stories and roast the graduate. Make a poster of silly photos. Hire a comedian to write and perform a funny tribute. International Did the graduate study abroad? Decorate for a Mexican theme, (who can resist a taco bar?) Borrow a sombrero, rugs and wall hangings and display your memorabilia with it. Consider inviting your student’s language teachers. Did the graduate study French? Build on that theme – French bread, exotic cheeses, French pastries set-up around the French flag or a miniature Eiffel Tower. Travel Plans? Is the graduate taking a road trip to see America the beautiful? Ask your guests to recommend a destination by marking a spot on a map of the US. Maybe they have friends or relatives the graduate can visit. Hang travel posters that you can get from travel agencies. Backyard Brunch Is breakfast their favorite meal? Plan a brunch buffet with doughnuts in your school colors, fresh fruit, juices and coffee. Dance Does she love to dance? Splurge on a band or DJ and let music take center stage. Just serve snacks and soft drinks. Beach Party! If you can’t get to a real beach or lake, fill up a plastic kids pool with ice and arrange your salads and other perishable food to keep them cool throughout the party. Serve beverages with cute straws and little umbrellas. Have plenty of beach balls, yard games, patio umbrellas, lawn chairs and beach towels. New York, New York Is the graduate heading to Broadway? Decorate with signs that look like movie theatre signs and lights. Make your invitation in the form of a theatre ticket. Drama Party Was the graduate involved in the school plays? Maybe you could borrow props from the school and invite a few friends to dress up and perform for the crowd. Private Showing Is the graduate an artist? A photographer? Have a showing of their work. (Did you know you could rent easels from party rental companies?) This theme lends itself to a great invitation! Sundaes on Saturday A cute invitation idea that makes for a simple menu. Just buy big tubs of ice cream and set up a sundae bar. Texas or Southwest Decorate with bandanas, red chili pepper lights, and howling coyotes. Serve southwest food or BBQ, corn bread, chips with guacamole and salsa.
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