Planning a College Graduation Party
Have a graduating senior? Congratulations! We know how proud you are to see your student achieve their goals and begin their career, and you want to celebrate their achievements! Although there are many different ways to commemorate this awesome feat, many choose to throw their student a graduation party. Planning such an event can be both exciting and daunting, but with careful preparation, you can organize a gathering that honors your graduate’s accomplishments and creates lasting memories with all of those who supported your student on their journey thus far. Below we have outlined the steps to help you plan a college graduation party, big or small, that your student will cherish:
Choose a date. When doing so, keep in mind the packed list of events your student may have in the days leading up to and following commencement. Leading up to graduation, they may have final exams or presentations and the week following, they may have a trip planned with their fellow graduates. Communicate with your student on what they have going on and plan together. If you have to push the party off a week, that’s okay!
Select a venue. This does not have to be an extravagant venue that you have to pay a massive amount for; it can simply be at your house. Other ideas to consider include a local restaurant’s private room, a church hall, a park’s pavilion or community center. With many free options available, there is a venue to fit every budget. Now is the time to decide where you want the party to be and create a gameplan for the space. Make sure to consider seating, tables, decorations, clean up and help needed the day of.
Consider food/catering. When gathering a group together, it’s always nice to offer something to eat and drink. Depending on your budget and venue, hiring a caterer may be a great fit. Not only can they customize the menu based on your budget, number of attendees and food preferences, but they take care of all the cooking, and even the clean up afterward! They may even provide staffing to serve the food and tables, chairs, linens and flowers/décor. If your budget is tight, plan the party at a non-mealtime hour. At a 2:00 or 3:00 celebration, no one is expecting a full-blown meal and will be happy with something small to nibble on. You can order a large sheet cake from your local grocery store or Walmart at an affordable cost. They can customize it with purple and gold, or even print your student’s photo across the top! Need some inspiration for snacks? Check out Pinterest for a wide array of small bites, from gourmet to easy and budget friendly.
Send out the invites. Although it can be, an invitation doesn’t have to be a formal card mailed to the guest list. There are many different alternatives: sending out a group text, making a Facebook event or emailing a digital invitation. If making a physical card and mailing it out is more your style, consider using Tech’s own Printing Services. There are also plenty of templates on Canva or other design platforms that you can utilize for free! When compiling the guest list, remember to collaborate with your student. Yes, the party is going to have all of the family members that supported and encouraged your student during their journey, but also remember that your student may have some friends from Tech that had a significant impact on where they are today. If they want to invite their college roommate, their partner on that last ever college project or their significant other, let them! Of course, always be mindful of venue capacity and budget constraints.
Get the entertainment ready. No, you don’t have to book a live band to perform in your living room. But maybe have some music playing in the background. A lot of parents opt for a continuous slide show of photos of their student. The photos can include the highlights of their college career, but of course, a couple of embarrassing baby pictures add some fun! If you are planning to have some speeches or toasts given at the party, go ahead and give those people a heads up. Some people prefer to free-style their congratulation speeches, but others may want to prepare in advance.
Give your student a keepsake. Your student has likely spent at least the last decade and a half in some sort of classroom, and they have finally reached the finish line! If it fits your style and your relationship with your student, then getting them a sentimental keepsake that they can hold on to for the coming years would be a great gift. Maybe put together a shadow box of some of their childhood awards or other items, write them a heartfelt letter to read after the party or give them a family heirloom that was given to you at their age. Another idea is to purchase their class ring, or an alumni shirt, sweatshirt, hat or sign from the University Store.
Planning a college graduation party for your student is a labor of love and requires thoughtful consideration of their preferences and personality. In fact, having a big gathering of people may be the exact opposite of what your student would want. If your student’s personality is more suited to a private dinner with just close family, that is still a great option. Be sure to celebrate your student in their style and at their pace. Congratulations to your new college graduate!
