Congratulations! You did it! You accomplished your educational goals and have made it to graduation day. This is the day you have dreamed of all your life, right? Now, before your life in the real-world sets in, you need to celebrate. Close this chapter in your life with a fun celebration full of memories of days gone by. Planning a graduation party is something that not everyone gets to experience. It is a time when you can be proud of yourself, your hard work, your accomplishments, and achievements.
In other words, it is definitely OK to pat yourself on the bad for a job well done. Celebrate all of this with an unforgettable graduation bash.
To make planning a graduation party easy – especially since this is your time to take a breather – we’ve got all the ideas you’ll need to throw a simply magnificent graduation party that will be just for you.
What to consider when planning a graduation party
Planning a graduation party can seem like a difficult task.
To help you with this, we’ve created a list of five ideas that will make your graduation party a time you will always remember.
So, go on – invite your friends and your family – and get ready to have the best time ever.
Find your location
You can throw a party just about anywhere. But, if you are looking for the ultimate graduation party location, you are going to want to have the party in a decked-out tent rental. Here is why:
- Tent rentals allow you as much space as you’ll need. This means that there will be no limit on your party or the number of guests that you may have. So, the bigger the better – and your tent can hold everyone comfortably.
- You can erect your tent in any location. Whether you want to hold your graduation party in your backyard, in a nearby vacant lot, or in your school parking lot, you can do that with the tent rental. These temporary structures are incredibly versatile, leaving you with many options.
- Stay late and dirty. Your family may come and leave early, but those friends of yours that you have had since kindergarten, are going to live up this moment in time with you. With a tent rental, you won’t have to worry about running out of time at the venue or spilling too many drinks because you have decided to dance way past your exhaustion point.
- You can enjoy all that the outdoors allows, but still, be protected. Face it, spring is lovely, but its April showers that bring those May flowers may very well interfere with your graduation party plans. A tent will keep you and your guests very dry and safe from any inclement weather.
The point is, when planning a graduation party, definitely consider a tent and be confident that with all these benefits, it is the perfect venue.
Take a trip of acknowledgment
When planning a graduation party, you can have all sorts of entertainment. This can include a DJ or live band (or a sound system playing your own playlist), party games, dancing, any outdoor activity (like swimming, croquet, flag football, cornhole, etc.). But, the one thing you must absolutely include is a trip down memory lane.
Whether you choose to do this as a video tribute or ask some of those sturdy supporters of yours to speak, doesn’t matter. The idea is to just make sure it is done. Hang your graduation photos, make note of your accomplishments, and be proud of what you have done. After all, this is the reason everyone has gotten together to celebrate – so make it known.
This moment will not ever happen again. So, make it memorable, special, and perhaps even give a shout out to those who helped you along the way.
Graduation party themes
Did you know that even though your party is a graduation party, you can still have a theme? If you want to make your party fun and add a little excitement, then choose a theme that will fit best. Here are a few ideas to get your mind churning:
- An “anchors away” theme for those heading off to college. Decorate with a nautical vibe.
- School mascot or colors.
- “Key to success” theme, incorporating keys into your decorations.
- “Life is an adventure” theme, using wild jungle or safari decorations.
Use your imagination and find the one theme that suits you – and your great accomplishment.
Your guests’ personal touch
Allow your guests an opportunity to give you some personal attention at your graduation party. Choose a unique way for each guest to leave you a special message. This may include congratulations, proud words, or life advice or a little piece of wisdom. You could:
- Have guests fill out note cards and drop them in a designated container for you to read later.
- Provide a large diploma-shaped poster for guests to write on.
- Circulate a journal or other type of notebook for guests to use.
Any of these will be touching, memorable, and definite keepsakes. And, who knows? The advice you receive may come in handy one day.
Create a budget
You’ve got places to go and things to do, so you need to be sure you create a budget before throwing your graduation party. You may count on receiving money for your graduation, but you don’t want to end up in debt before you even move on because you chose to overspend for your graduation party.
So, be responsible and set a budget that seems reasonable for your party. To do this, you will need to decide:
- how many people you are inviting
- what you intend to do (entertainment costs, etc.)
- how you intend to decorate
- whether you will need to pay any rental fees, such as for venue, tent, chairs, tables, linens, etc.
- if you will serve food and drinks – and what type of each
- any special touches
When planning a graduation party, take all of these into consideration and see what you can skimp on and what you must splurge for. You deserve this party so have it – but within budget.
Graduation parties are important for recognizing the end to a long line of hard work and dedication. It is the close of one life’s chapters as you move into a whole brand new one. Enjoy this time.