Graduation is an exciting time in a person’s life. It marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Whether you’re the graduate or the parent of a graduate, there’s a lot to plan for when it comes to graduation parties. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the grad party planning timeline, from setting a date to sending out invitations. Let’s get started!
Set your budget
First, you’ll need to decide how much money you would like to spend on the party. As graduation parties are usually smaller affairs than weddings or other major milestones, it’s quite common for the parents of the graduate to foot the entire bill. If that is not an option, decide on a budget based on what you’re comfortable spending.
Tips For Creating a Party Budget
Find a location
The next step of planning a graduation party is to find a good location. Your location should be large enough to host all your guests comfortably and have room for some games or entertainment for the graduates, as well as seating for everyone.
Think about what kind of party you want to have. For example, if you want an outdoor party, you’ll need somewhere sunny! If you’re looking for somewhere with good weather, then a graduation party in Tampa or some other warm climate might be best. Or, you might want to have a party at your place. If that is the case, just make sure it is big enough.
Outdoor Party Planning, Florida Style
Find a theme
The next thing you will need to sort out is the theme. Graduation parties can have all kinds of themes, from sports to video games. Whether you want an indoor or outdoor party will affect your theme choice. If it’s going to be cold outside, you might want to go with a fun winter theme. If you have a large backyard, it might be fun to have a barbecue and some games.
Send some invites
Once you’ve found a location and a theme for your party, consider when you would like it to take place. If the graduates are going to school out of town or even state, they may not be available on certain days. Find a good time that works for as many people as possible and send invitations with the date, time, location, and theme of the party.
Get the right equipment
Once all that’s sorted, you need to start thinking about the equipment you’ll need to make your party a success. For example, if you want to play games, you’ll need to rent some video game consoles and TV screens for them. You can also rent tables and chairs if there’s not enough seating at your chosen location.
Think about food & drink
The next stage to tick off your graduation party checklist is to start thinking about food and drink. For brunch or lunch graduation parties, consider catering the entire event instead of serving family-style meals. You can order sandwiches or casseroles from a local deli or supermarket and serve them buffet style. Otherwise, a potluck is always an option!
Finger Foods for Kids Parties ( Even the Picky Eaters)
Get a great outfit!
Graduation parties are the perfect time to dress up, so consider getting a new outfit for the occasion a couple of weeks prior to the big day. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, check out your local thrift stores or resale shops. You can find lots of great pieces at an affordable price!
Last-minute prep
Just a few days before the party, double-check your equipment and that everything is running smoothly. Make sure everyone has a ride and that the location is still accessible. You can also send one more reminder email or text to any guest who might have forgotten!
