How to plan a graduation party

May 18, 3:28 PMBoston Party Planning ExaminerDanielle E. Brown

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An excited college graduate.  Courtesy Flickr user m00by.

'Tis the season for graduations!  With friends and family eager to congratulate your recent high school or college graduate, here are some guidelines to help you plan the perfect party.

1. Create a guest list.
   
   Your graduate will be eager to share his/her special day with friends and family, but will everyone be at the same party? Consider hosting two parties if you can – one for relatives and close family friends, and the other for high school or college buddies. This will give your graduate the opportunity to truly mingle with everyone so that no one will feel left out. It can be tough spending time taking pictures with Great Aunt Sally when your frat brothers are playing beer pong.
    
2. Send invitations.
   
   Many colleges offer fancy graduation announcements and matching stationery. If you’re hoping to host an elegant soirée, look into buying the announcements through your child’s college bookstore. You can also work with some vendors to use a college logo or mascot on personalized invitations. Depending on the event, you may also want to send paper invitations from a local party store or electronic invitations.
    
3. Plan the menu.
   
   Summer calls for barbeque! If you decide to go with a barbeque or picnic menu, figure out if you’ll be making the food yourself, hiring a caterer, or finding a happy medium. Making the food yourself will save money, but requires a lot of energy, whereas catered food might cost more, but will give you the opportunity to spend time with your new graduate, instead of wasting time elbow-deep in a tub of macaroni salad. An in-between option might allow you the best of both worlds; try ordering dessert from a local bakery and meat, veggie, and fruit platters from a local grocery store. You’ll still save on prep time and you won’t have to pay for a catering service.
    
4. Decorate.
   
   There are two obvious decorating choices for graduation parties – graduation paraphernalia (cap and gowns, “Class of 2009” décor, etc.) or school colors and mascots. Decorations can easily be found at party supply stores this time of year, as well as many grocery and convenience stores. You may also have luck at college bookstores for decorations like pennants and paper goods such as paper cups or napkins with the school logo on them.
   
   If traditional isn’t your style, try throwing a themed graduation party instead. Summer themes are great for graduation parties, so try treating your graduate to a luau or garden party if you’re tired of the usual graduation fare.
    
5. Have a contingency plan.
   
   Spring and summer weather isn’t always predictable. Don’t offer to host a pool party to celebrate your graduate if there isn’t an indoor space (or rain date) available in case of bad weather. You can rent large outdoor party tents from lots of event vendors that will allow you to host your party indoors or out. You can also check into hosting your party at a local park or banquet hall if you don’t have enough space in your Boston loft apartment.
    
6. Do something memorable.
   
   Graduation is a great time to reflect on a graduate’s achievements. Ask guests to bring photos of your graduate during his/her childhood and compile them in a photo album or on a corkboard display. If a scrapbook is more your style, have guests bring a favorite recipe or piece of advice on a standard-sized piece of paper and compile them into an album for your soon-to-be-off-in-the-real-world graduate.

Bottom line, graduation parties are a time for celebration. Make your graduate feel special and throw a party to commemorate his/her success! Feel free to share other ideas for graduation party success in the comments.

This post is part of the All About Parenting Graduation Blog Carnival, featuring graduation ideas from bloggers across the Internet.  Visit the Blog Carnival here, starting June 1st.