This post includes simple high school graduation party tips to consider when planning a simple or extravagant celebration for your senior. Thousands of excellent checklists and inspirational photos may overwhelm the planning process for the celebratory time. Here is a short list of high school graduation party ideas to help you cover the basic planning for a fun and memorable event.
You and your family have celebrated a series of lasts on this high school journey and the last day of school is approaching! It’s nearly time to cue the confetti, turn the tassel, and toss the cap. Each family uniquely approaches this celebratory time! But if you are like me, we loved this opportunity to host a high school graduation party to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones with family, friends, and supporters. Hopefully, you and your senior have spent time reflecting on the high school journey and agree that a graduation celebration is warranted!
This post includes 7 simple recommendations from the budget considerations, guest lists, party themes, decorations, food ideas, and more as you plan your graduation party!
Simple High School Graduation Party Planning Recommendations
Create a Graduation Party Plan
First things things first. I am often guilty of diving head or feet first into event-hosting responsibilities before developing a solid plan! Establishing a good plan using guidelines and party planning checklists is crucial for a successful graduation party and other event planning. The written or documented plan also helps clearly define the event’s scope for your high school graduate who may be getting their inspiration from social media!
There are so many paper planners, checklists, and online resources that offer a planning roadmap! If you are looking for the best paper party planner to meet your needs, Etsy, Pinterest, and Amazon offer a host of comprehensive and well-designed options! Click here for an option! Before making a purchase, ensure that your planner walks you through the full scope of your event with places to note dates, budget considerations, a timeline for decision-making, venue selection, your guest list, themes, and activities. If the thought of planning AND hosting a graduation party terrifies you, lean into friends or local event professionals for support.
Establish your graduation party theme and style
Choosing the theme or feel for your high school graduation party will be key in making many other subsequent decisions. When we hosted both our son’s and daughter’s graduation parties we asked ourselves the following questions before choosing a theme.
- How would we like our graduate to feel celebrated?
- Who will attend? Is the guest list full of your graduate’s friends or is the event an intimate family gathering?
- Will we take a look down memory lane with a beautiful scrapbook or video montage with baby photos or will we play competitive games to keep the celebration interactive?
- How much time will I have with my graduate before he is off to party with friends?
- What’s the ideal setting? Indoors or outside? Home or venue?
After answering the questions and countless Pinterest searches, we landed on a high school graduation luncheon with family, friends, and supporters. This decision set the tone for the remaining decisions around graduation party invitations, entertainment, food and drink selections, and graduation party decor.
Choose your invitation or announcement
There is a distinct difference between a graduation announcement and a graduation party invitation. Here is a thought! We chose to print both: a graduation announcement and a graduation party invitation. Let’s say you choose to celebrate your graduate at an intimate family luncheon with a limited guest list. You may have a large extended family and your graduate may also have a host of coaches, teachers, mentors, and other supporters who would love to share in this milestone. The venue or budget constraints may narrow the scope of your guest list! Printing both a graduation announcement and graduation party invitation allows you to connect with and extend your pride to family and friends that you cannot host at your graduation party!
Many online retailers offer a suite of coordinated paper and digital products that allow you to customize your invitations and announcements. We used Minted for our suite! Etsy, Shutterfly, and Zazzle are also great resources for a custom graduation party invitation!
Select Graduation Party Decor
Is it even a party without the balloons, a cake topper, customized napkins, or confetti? Yes, it is! Whether you opt for a DIY plan to fill your high school graduation party space or the Full Monty of decor, the decor should compliment your theme while not outshining the purpose of the moment. With the recent closure of Party City, rely on online retailers like Etsy and Amazon to secure the items you must purchase! Take a look at a few of the graduation party decor touches we used to personalize our day!
Plan the Perfect Menu
Your venue, budget, and theme should provide a framework for the graduation party menu selections. With all of the decisions looming, consider what may be important to the young guests. While we opted for a luncheon, the food was served buffet style and the lunch included a fan favorite, mac-n-cheese! We chose a beautifully adorned cake along with a southern-style dessert bar!
Add Entertainment and Activities
Engaging activities and entertainment ensure your guests have a great time. Depending on your theme and budget, you can include options like:
- A photo booth or selfie station with fun props.
- A memory wall or guestbook for advice and well-wishes.
- A video montage or slideshow of your graduate’s journey.
- Interactive games or live entertainment, like a magician or DJ.
For a personal touch, involve your graduate in creating a party playlist!
Double-check the Details with a Checklist
Details, details, details. The moment to celebrate is finally here and the planning period has come to an end! As the big day approaches, a checklist will help you stay on track and ensure nothing is overlooked. Confirm guest counts, finalize decorations, arrange food and drink deliveries, and test equipment like speakers or projectors.
After establishing a reasonable budget, developing a plan of action, selecting a venue, and choosing invitations, decor, and food, find ways to find joy while creating a memorable high school graduation party! Please share your recommendations and high school graduation planning tips in the comments.
