Cap off the grad’s big day with these fun graduation party ideas
It’s that time of year again. For pomp and circumstance. Caps and gowns. Hopes and dreams. It’s time for graduations. Congratulations. And especially, celebrations. When it comes to graduation parties, the key is getting just the right mix of looking back and looking forward. And we’ve got the ideas to help you do just that:
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
Before the party
Start with the invitations. Sure, you can invite people via Facebook or Twitter, but formalizing things a bit with some personalized invites gives everyone a great keepsake to hang onto. (Plus, the graduate is more likely to get a graduation gift in return for a physical invitation.) Send them by mail (or deliver by hand) with an RSVP request. That way, you’ll have a rough idea of the number of guests coming. And you can keep one invitation as a memento of the day.
Ask the graduate for a list of his or her favorite party foods and drinks to serve. Coordinate the party by using school colors for the decorations, tablecloths, napkins and plates—you can even match the school colors with the candies at a candy bar or icing on a graduation cake.
Make a slide show or video of your graduate’s life from birth to graduation that you can play during the party. Or, if you’re having a party with lots of grads, get baby pictures and senior pictures of all the graduates so you can create two displays. (During the party, have a contest to see who can correctly match up the most faces.)
During the party
Take photos and/or videos during the graduation party so you can add it to the grad’s slide show later and give it to him or her as a gift.
Ask guests to jot down advice for the graduate (you can do this ahead of time, too). Their advice can be funny or serious. You can read some of them aloud at the party. And it’s a great way for those who can’t attend the party to be there in spirit. Or, record short videos of guests’ words of wisdom for the graduate. The faces and voices of those who shared their day will be a fun memento.
Pass around a blank notebook at the party where guests can write down their names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays and usernames on social media sites.
Serve some yummy foods like these easy graduation party recipes and have some cleverly worded favors at the door as guests leave like “Brain Food” on baggies of trail mix, “Smarty Pants” with a roll of Smarties® candies attached to little paper pants, or upside-down pears with a sign that says “Take one for bright ideas.”
After the party
Get your grad some personalized thank-you notes to send to the family and friends that came, and to those who sent cards and gifts from far away. If they need help with what to write, try these thank-you messages and ideas from Hallmark writers.
Gather all the notes and pictures from the party together in a scrapbook.
Shop Graduation
See allYou may also like
See more-
Christmas What Your Tree Says About You: Star Wars Edition
If you’re a Star Wars™ fan, this is a must-watch video.
-
Friends 50+ fun things to do with friends
It’s hard to describe in only a few words how amazing I feel when I’m with my friends, but I’ll try: Inner child comf...
-
Christmas 6 festive Christmas punch recipes for a very merry crowd
Make everyone merry with these five holiday drinks
-
Drinks Fruit punch that’s perfect for a party
Who among us doesn't remember being a kid and chugging a giant glass of cold fruit punch on a warm summer day? Whe...
-
Drinks Christmas Eve eggnog punch
There are several variations to this eggnog punch, allowing you to customize it to your taste buds. We started with e...
-
Drinks Warm and comforting wassail punch
Nothing sets a warm holiday mood like wassail—a fancy mulled cider. The tang and tannins of the fresh fruit, the warm...
-
Drinks Sparkling pomegranate punch perfect for any party
We've created a spritzer-like cocktail to serve a crowd with Red Zinger tea, pomegranate juice and chilled Prosecco. ...
-
Thanksgiving 4 free printable Thanksgiving activities for the kids table
The kids’ table is the place to be at Thanksgiving: all the fun and none of the responsibility. And because sometimes...
-
4th of July Free printable 4th of July decorations
Most of our ideas for summer entertaining include the words "casual" and "easy." But on patriotic holidays, we gotta ...
-
Drinks Warm up a holiday crowd with this hot rum punch
Every guest will feel special when you serve them a steaming mug of delicious hot rum punch, topped with a grilled pi...
-
Drinks Mix up this mulled wine holiday punch for a festive gathering
Pomegranate seeds add a holly-berry touch to this mulled wine and citrus punch. Any spicy red wine can serve as the f...
-
Gifting The Office gifts and decor make WFH way more fun
From 9-5, our favorite show is The (Home) Office. 💼 📄 Add some fun to WFH with products and decor from The Office, av...
-
Baby Watch them grow: Our favorite monthly baby photo ideas
Of course you’re going to capture a gazillion photos during your baby’s first year. But there’s something about snap...
-
Summer Vegetable stamping: How to make simple, modern prints with produce
There are so many reasons to try fruit and vegetable stamping: It's surprisingly creative. It's easy. It uses stuff y...
-
Baby 40+ baby photoshoot ideas, tips and tricks from Hallmark photographers
You have the cutest baby in the world. There’s no contest. It’s not even a question. But what you might not have are ...
-
Christmas Step right up and see the Seaside Carnival Keepsake Ornament
Get ready for all the sights and sounds of Santa’s Seaside Carnival! Santa and Mrs. Claus are ready to greet visitors...
-
Friends Friendship messages: What to write in a friendship card
Whether it’s your friend’s birthday or just any old day, sending a card is a great way to bring a smile and nurture ...
-
Card Ideas 17 ideas for saving your favorite cards and letters
If you’ve got a shoe box full of old cards and letters, you’re definitely not alone. People have been stashing away m...
-
Birthday Free birthday coloring pages to add more fun to the celebration
The best birthdays are the ones filled with lots of little treats and fun activities, from sunup to sundown. If you’r...
-
Family Tips and ideas for preserving and displaying family recipes
Family recipes are a special kind of priceless heirloom—the kind that transport us back to our favorite times with ou...