Its that time of year again…GRADUATION!  Kids today are a lot less jaded then they were…..well, I don’t even know when, since I graduated 18 years ago and we were pretty jaded back then ourselves!!  My point is, IF you want to throw a fun, cool party for your graduate and his/her friends, then make sure it really IS fun and cool…for THEM.  I’m not talking about having a keg for goodness sakes!  NO NO NO.  Don’t go there.  Don’t try to be THAT “cool”….please!My recommendations for a REALLY happenin’ party that will, in fact, make you a Rock Star Party Planner, are as follows:

1. Go in with several other parents.  Everyone can pitch in time and MONEY, so you can get a lot more bang for your buck.  Also, this alleviates scheduling conflicts with other graduation parties.  Choose one person’s house or a neutral location but don’t blow the budget on the location (unless you have connections and have access to the greatest dance club in town!).
2. Think Wedding Reception on a MUCH smaller scale.  Today’s weddings are all about cool, unique, FUN details that you can gleen a lot from when planning other types of parties.  In fact, if you have been out of the wedding planning loop for a while, you may be pretty shocked when you see what is available now!
3. Steer clear of the tacky, kitschy graduation goods available at your local party store.  I don’t care what your budget is, there is absolutely NO excuse for tacky decor. 
4. Stick with a basic theme of the high school experience and the school colors; pom poms, sports paraphernalia, yearbooks, prom king and queen crowns, group photos….you just can’t go wrong with these as your decor foundation.
5. Unless you have access to the most impressive videographer around, don’t go overboard on the “slide show” concept.  This can be a fun and humorous addition to a party but can also get a little boring and cheesy if you’re not careful.  It is also a momentum-stopper to gather everyone in one location to suddenly sit still and quiet and try to see the screen.  Something I like to do is project video clips of sports events, school programs, still photos, etc, on a wall or screen (hang a white sheet outside if its dark enough) and have it run throughout the party silently as a cool backdrop to the party.
6. Decide on the level of importance of the music.  YES, you MUST have music!  Not YOUR kind of music…the kind the KIDS like!  If you think everyone will dance, check into finding an aspiring DJ in the area (check your local college or Craigslist).  Also consider a local garage band or Battle of the Bands contestant if you have the room (set up outside is best and remember to check the noise ordinances in your town).  There is really nothing wrong with an IPOD and a killer playlist.
7. There is no subtle way to say this so I’ll just say it:  Absolutely no balloons and/or streamers.  Great for children’s birthday parties, not for 18 year olds.  Really.  Trust me on this one.

Here are some other ideas to make your Graduation Party more than just another poolside cookout …instead it will be something they’ll still be talking about in the Fall!

Candy Buffet in School Colors

  

 

Giant Map of U.S. with pushpin flags (two colors - one for the guys, one for the girls) for guests to denote their college destinations (they can write the name of their school on the flag)

 

Lifesize Cardboard Cutouts of Principal, Coach or Popular Teacher(s)

 

Caricature Artist

 

 

Photo Booth

   

 

Drawings for prizes:  Laundry Bag, postage stamps, phone cards, rolled quarters, small battery-free flashlight, highlighter pack

 

Tapas food stations

 

Unique invitations

 

Customized Jones Sodas in Fun Flavors & School Colors 

sources:  candy; map; pushpins; lifesize standees; caricatures; photobooth; laundrybag; stamp; foreverflashlight; quarters; invitations; sodas

Tags: candy buffet, cardboard cutouts, Class of 2008, Class of 2008 party, college flag pushpins, college map, cool graduation party ideas, decor for graduation party, decorations for graduation party, drinks for graduation party, food for graduation party, graduation, graduation drinks, graduation food, graduation gifts, graduation music, graduation party, graduation party ideas, graduation party invitations, graduation slideshow, high school colors, jones soda, music for graduation party, photobooth

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 5:24 pm and is filed under YOU can do it!, events, inspiration & ideas, parties. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.