Philadelphia, PA—Whether you're hosting a high school or college graduation party, these easy graduation party ideas can help you find the perfect theme. From a Hawaiian luau to a graduation cap-themed photo booth, you'll find the perfect party decorations for your graduating senior. Below are some of the best ideas for graduation-themed parties, from creating a homemade photo backdrop to what food and decorations to serve.
Graduation Party Ideas - Tips For Hosting a Graduation Party
Ideas For A Hawaiian Luau Theme
Ideas for a Hawaiian Luau theme for your small graduation party can include a tropical drink bar and dessert buffet. You can also hire a steel drum band to play Hawaiian music. If you have the budget and time, you can even hold your graduation party at a public park and rent a picnic shelter. You won't have to spend hours decorating and cleaning your backyard, and you can save a bundle on renting a venue.
Adding a Hawaiian luau theme to your small graduation party will make it a truly unforgettable experience for everyone who attends. This theme is suitable for all ages and can be easily removed without a significant investment. The colors and design of the decorations will be both colorful and vibrant. Hawaiian luau party favors include souvenir items like Tiki Head mugs and coconut cups; you can even make your own party favors!
DIY Photo Backdrop
If you throw a small graduation party, you can make a fun and easy DIY photo backdrop. You can use black-painted plywood or stick-on lettering. To add a pop of color to your background, you can place colorful balloons or fluffy pillows on the seats. String lights or a table lamp can add a whimsical touch to the photo booth. Make sure to include a few fun photo props around the party area.
Buy a canvas drop cloth from your local paint store or order one online. Hang it between two trees or on an interior wall. Hang a few small decor items, including a graduation sign or paper pennant garlands. You can create photo props from the grad's childhood for a more personal touch. Then, make an Instagram-worthy photo backdrop for your guest's Instagram feed!
Catering Options
If you're throwing a graduation party for a few guests, you may want to consider a family-style meal or hiring catering. It may not be necessary to cater to everything in a small gathering, but this is an important consideration when selecting the menu. You can opt for a buffet-style or finger foods for a small graduation party. In addition to finger foods, consider having a dessert station.
No matter how small the graduation party is, there's a catering option that will fit the theme of your event. If you'd like to create an elegant ambiance for your graduation party, hire a professional catering NYC company to prepare elegant dishes. These dishes can be anything from bacon-wrapped dates to marinated steak with blue cheese. You can even choose a specialized graduation party catering package, such as Little Italy, which offers a taste of authentic Italian dishes.
Graduation Party Decorations
You can use many inexpensive graduation party props to celebrate the special day. Use garlands on tables and wall hangings to adorn the area. You can also purchase twinkle lights for your deck or add them to the room for evening use.
But if you want to go all out to make it the most memorable event, you may use creative solutions like inflatables to give a special touch to the decor. Personalized inflatables created by Floatie Kings will provide a chance to develop welcoming arches with the names of graduates or a replica of the graduation cup that will also serve as the backdrop for social media pictures.
Graduation parties are always fun, so why not include a photo booth to capture the celebration? If you have a video calling service, you can set up an area for guests to take pictures with the props.
Create a "memory jar" at the party to collect all the guest's favorite memories. You can even hire a professional photographer to capture the celebration. To keep guests' cards and notes organized, you can have a "card drop-off" area where guests can write down their addresses. You can also make your memory book by compiling congratulatory quotes from the party guests.
Date And Time Coordination
Consider your guest list and date and time coordination when planning a graduation party. Grad parties are often large affairs where guests may only stay for a few minutes or more. Whether you're hosting a small graduation party for family and friends or an elaborate experience for the grad and their friends, make sure to plan. Once you've determined who will attend, you can work out the details of the party, including the venue, menu, and time of day.
Organize the event by inviting close family and friends to arrive during a designated period. It could be at home, on the porch, in the backyard, or at a cookout. It can be in person or a restaurant's private area. If you want to keep the party small, consider creating a fun paper sign to direct guests to your house. You can even have a secret graduation car parade, where guests can wave to the graduates as they pass by.