We have compiled a list of graduation party tips for any of those individuals celebrating a graduate this year, including event hosting ideas and graduation party menu ideas. Ease your party planning stress by using some of these tips and tricks below.
High School Graduation Party Ideas
Graduation parties happen in numbers. The same year you are throwing a graduation party for your graduate, it always seems like you and your circle of friends will also be invited to a half dozen other high school graduation parties.
One of the ways to help your graduation party stand out amongst the others is by incorporating something unique, and we have a list of creative graduation party ideas—mixed, of course, amongst some of the more standard ideas that most people love—that will help create a fun, memorable graduation celebration.
Set it up right
- Rent/borrow a tent with flaps that can close in the event of inclement weather
- String photos of the grad as a kid throughout the inside of the tent
- Make a sign to put out front directing people to the party’s location
Create an easy theme
- Center the theme around the high school’s or future college’s school colors
- Decorate a cake with his/her future college’s colors or emblems
Give the kids something to do
- Have a photo booth
- Provide a bonfire later in the evening
High School Graduation Party Menu Ideas
A graduation party is not complete without a delicious, crowd-pleasing graduation party menu. Since most high school graduation parties around here are hosted in the comforts of family backyards, most of these food ideas have been selected because they are accommodating for those types of venues. There are a few larger-scaled ideas, however, and those ideas are better suited for a forest preserve or another outdoor space.
The classic three-dish combination
- Italian beef with sweet peppers and giardiniera
- Golden fried chicken
- Penne pasta with marinara sauce
Sandwiches and salads
- Mini wraps
- Giant subs
- Zesty pasta or American-style potato salad
- Macaroni and sweet potato salad
Make-your-own-tacos buffet
- Ground beef
- Shredded chicken
- Refried beans and Mexicali rice
- All the taco fixings
Picnic buffet
- Jumbo hot dogs
- Black Angus burgers
- Pasta and potato salad
- All the condiments and fixings
Greek feast buffet
- Sliced gyro meat
- Chicken souvlaki skewers
- Athenian veggies (and more)
