Of course everyone loves a party, but a party with a purpose is far more special. This time of year all across the country graduations are happening from Kindergarten to High School.
Most families want to throw a fun celebratory event, but don’t want it to look
a) cheap b) cheesy c) thrown together
So we a few helpful tips that can help you throw a beautiful and less stressful graduation party.
Tip #1 – Stop matching
What do we mean by this you say? Well we mean don’t buy the entire collection of the graduation section. You go into the store and you are looking to find all black and yellow graduation supplies, then everything looks exactly the same. STOP! You don’t have to purchase the entire set.
Be creative on how you decide to purchase because everything from the Banner to Napkins are in front of you doesn’t mean buy them.
Be smart, only purchase a couple of these pieces. No more than 2! Yes, no more than 2, why because it won’t be overwhelming and commercial looking. So you may want a graduation banner and napkins only, so don’t purchase the centerpiece (see tip #4), cups or plates.
Save some money by purchasing solid color cups and add a little flair with paper straws that coordinate. There are plenty of ways to save and still make your party look great.
{images from sweetpaperies.wordpress.com}
Tip #2- Never do the baking
You think you will save money, but your time is precious around this time of year. A great way of having yummy sweat treats would be to either buy at your local grocery store (not always the best option) or find a local bakery get some amazingly delicious treats and customize them with custom created cupcake toppers.
Adding a touch of personalization will look like you have spent more money, but really you were able to keep some extra cash in your wallet.
This will add some flare and some simple creativeness quickly.
Tip #3- Keep the food simple
Yes. We all love some delicious food but good can still be simple. Some easy ways to elevate your food is just simply the way display it.
For example don’t just place all the fruit you have on a platter, but simply place the fruit in mini plastic shot glasses or on a kabob elevates your table. Want to make your kabobs “POP” use a small cookie cutter to cut out various shapes, or better yet use number cutters for your graduates year.
{images courtesy of flickr & chew on that blog}
Tip #4 – Always create a custom centerpiece (it’s easier than you think)
This Martha Stewart idea immediately looked like the perfect concept for a graduation party centerpiece! You could even recover the stacked books with cool, modern gift wrap in various prints & colors to coordinate with your party’s color scheme – and then decorate the sides with designs and the guest of honor’s name using rubber stamps like they’ve shown here. If you really want to get into the “school” theme – try recovering the books “high school style” with brown paper bags or kraft paper and ink-pen doodles (you know – the kind you used to draw when you were really supposed to be paying attention in class!).
For a thoughtful touch, designate one special keepsake book and ask party guests to sign messages to the graduate on it “yearbook-style” (on the outside and inside covers). If you use a photo album as the covered keepsake “book” – you can even fill the album at a later date with actual pictures from the party!
{image from marthastewart.com}
{shared from Hostess with the Mostess}
If that book centerpiece doesn’t tickle your fancy or you’re just looking for more options go a very different direction. These edible graduation caps are not only cute but they are yummy. They can serve a dual purpose, favor and centerpiece.
These adorable graduation cap candy pops are the perfect idea. They look hard but are super easy to do. Our friends at have included all the instructions on how to make them in no time.
Our friends at Bakerella have given step by step instructions on how to create the yummy treats.
{image courtesy of Bakerella}
Tip #5- Don’t sweat the small stuff
It’s definitely easier said then done. Just remember the party you are throwing is in celebration so if little things. If things start to get chaotic, take a breath and rework things.
Everything will turn out fine. The graduate will still love the party custom cupcakes or not.
Breathe, Rest and Enjoy!
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