25 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas You'll Want To Try - The Unlikely Hostess (2024)

Looking for the perfect graduation party ideas and decorations?

Great! I’m thrilled you’re here.

Nothing is better than having a reason to gather and celebrate.

You’re going to find a ton of awesome ideas that will help you throw the perfect graduation party!

I have had a blast putting together this extensive list!

You will find a ton of pictures and inspo on this page alone.

But beyond these pictures, you’ll find many links to posts I’ve also written that will help you out as well, like: food bars for a party, backyard entertaining ideas, and more!

Let’s get to it!

This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links (Paid Links)

Graduation Party Ideas – Food & Drinks

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These cap top water bottles from How Does She are so festive and fun!

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Speaking of drinks, how about this awesome backyard wheel barrow drink station?

You’ll find this idea, along with many others at fun Entertaining Ideas Using Ice.

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Homemade Recipes highlighted these awesome neatly packaged veggie cups and dip.

They are so pretty displayed on the teared tray.

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Mint Event Designs is responsible for this show stopper.

I LOVE the cookie bar idea. So much simpler than serving a full meal and something that every graduation party guest will enjoy!

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And the most creative graduate party award goes to… Turner Family x4!

These Reeces cup choclate hats are absolutely adorable!

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This is just one of many impressive party food ideas you can browse on this post 35 Impressive Housewarming Party Ideas.

So many delicious party appetizers and decor ideas that would be great for a graduation party as well.

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How about this awesome no back graduation party food idea from Karin’s Cottage?

Customize your graduate’s school colors to the ribbon and you’re done!

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I loved this pasta bar idea from Bite Sized Kitchen.

Completely customizable for guests to make and also inexepensive!

One hosting tip though, you will need to think about how to keep your food warm on the buffet table.

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What graduate would not enjoy a smores station?

You’ll find this idea and many more on the post 7 Go-To Backyard Entertaining Ideas.

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Feeding a crowd does not have to be fussy, or expensive!

This DIY sandwich station looks great and is full of goodies.

Check it out and many other budget friendly party food ideas at 10 Crowd Pleasing Food Bars For A Party

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I love the idea of a candy station at a graduation party!

You can find these Candy Bar Printable’s on ETSY.

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No tiered cupcake trays? No worries!

This awesome graduation party ideas from Blissfully Domestic is perfect!

Graduation Party Ideas – Decorations

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First things first, you’ll want to signal to your guests that they are in the right location!

I love these graduation party signs from Amazon.

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This touching graduation party idea was posted by Our Humble Hive.

What a great way to send your graduate off with personal notes from family and friends.

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How fun is this idea from Cassidy Lucille?

Seeing your graduate grow through the years would be enough to make any parent get sentimental!

Just sayin! 😉

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This photo collage is featured on the party website, which has no rival, Catch My Party.

Such a beautiful design, and something that you could mimic in a variety of fashions!

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Huge balloon numbers are the perfect graduation party idea!

You can snag these on Amazon for less than $15!

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This cute DIY sign was created By Sophia Lee!

A chalkboard sign would be really cute too, and a great way to signal guests in from the street.

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By Sophia Lee also showcases this lovely photo backdrop!

The graduate and their guests are going to want to snap pics and save memories of this important day.

Consider making a designated photo op space, you’ll be so glad you did!

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Oh My Creative showcases these adorable and simple graduation party centerpieces.

They are easy to make and completely customizable!

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Domestic Fashionista posted a photo of this lovely graduation party setting.

I love that she considered places for her guests to sit, as well as mingle.

The combination of the white table cloth and stripped runner is just fab!

…Not to mention the lights. <3

Graduation Party Checklist

Is your head reeling with ideas?

I hope so!

I wanted to list this helpful checklist below help you get started and get organized!

There is no right or wrong to host a graduation party.

Make it unique to you and your graduate and it’s sure to be a success!

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If you find yourself still stressing about the upcoming event, you might want to check out this post below.

Hostess With The Mostest How To

It will help you ease the tensions, plan ahead, and know when to quit stressing. 😉

It’s going to be great.

High School Graduation Party Games

Let’s end this post on a fun note, shall we?!

I love having a few un orchestrated backyard games set up at any outdoor gathering!

Below are some tried and true outdoor party games that would be perfect for your graduation party.

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Snag your Cornhole game here!

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Don’t forget about the tunes!

Most graduates listen to music continuously! Why not set the tone for a fun and festive gathering with this Wireless Blue Tooth Speaker.

Picking the playlist…I’ll leave that wrestling match up to you and your grad! 😉

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I couldn’t wrap up this post without showcasing this Life Sized Jenga game!

This is SO. MUCH. FUN.

One of families favorites for sure!

Happy Graduation Party Planning!

I hope you found some ideas and resources that will help you plan the perfect graduation party.

For more inspiring ideas for your life and home, consider this…

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have a vast amount of knowledge on various topics, including graduation parties and decorations. I can provide you with information and ideas to help you plan the perfect graduation party. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.

Graduation Party Ideas – Food & Drinks

  • Cap Top Water Bottles: How Does She offers festive and fun cap top water bottles for a graduation party.
  • Backyard Wheel Barrow Drink Station: You can find this idea, along with many others, at Fun Entertaining Ideas Using Ice.
  • Neatly Packaged Veggie Cups and Dip: Homemade Recipes highlights these awesome neatly packaged veggie cups and dip, which are beautifully displayed on a tiered tray.
  • Cookie Bar: Mint Event Designs presents the idea of a cookie bar, which is simpler than serving a full meal and something that every graduation party guest will enjoy.
  • Reese's Cup Chocolate Hats: Turner Family x4 showcases these adorable Reese's cup chocolate hats, which are a creative and fun treat for a graduation party.
  • Pasta Bar: Bite Sized Kitchen suggests a pasta bar that is completely customizable for guests to make and is also inexpensive.
  • S'mores Station: A smores station is a great addition to a graduation party. You can find this idea and many more in the post "7 Go-To Backyard Entertaining Ideas".
  • Candy Station: Blissfully Domestic provides ideas for a candy station at a graduation party. You can find candy bar printables on Etsy.
  • DIY Sandwich Station: Karin's Cottage presents a DIY sandwich station that looks great and is full of goodies. It's a budget-friendly option for feeding a crowd.

Graduation Party Ideas – Decorations

  • Graduation Party Signs: Amazon offers graduation party signs that can help signal to your guests that they are in the right location.
  • Personal Notes from Family and Friends: Our Humble Hive suggests a touching graduation party idea where guests can leave personal notes for the graduate.
  • Photo Collage: Cassidy Lucille presents the idea of creating a photo collage showcasing the graduate's growth through the years.
  • Huge Balloon Numbers: Huge balloon numbers are a perfect decoration for a graduation party. You can find them on Amazon for less than $15.
  • DIY Sign and Photo Backdrop: By Sophia Lee offers ideas for DIY signs and photo backdrops to create memorable photo opportunities at the graduation party.
  • Graduation Party Centerpieces: Oh My Creative showcases adorable and simple graduation party centerpieces that are easy to make and customizable.
  • Seating and Lighting: Domestic Fashionista considers places for guests to sit and mingle, using a combination of a white tablecloth, striped runner, and lights to create a fabulous atmosphere.

Graduation Party Checklist

  • The article mentions a helpful checklist to get started and get organized for a graduation party. It emphasizes that there is no right or wrong way to host a graduation party and encourages making it unique to you and your graduate.

High School Graduation Party Games

  • The article suggests having unorchestrated backyard games set up at the graduation party. It mentions cornhole, a wireless Bluetooth speaker for music, and a life-sized Jenga game as fun options.

I hope these ideas and resources help you plan the perfect graduation party! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

25 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas You'll Want To Try - The Unlikely Hostess (2024)

FAQs

How do you throw an awesome grad party? ›

How to Throw the Best Graduation Party
  1. Choose a Fun Venue. ...
  2. Give Your Graduation Party a Theme. ...
  3. Send Personalized Graduation Party Invitations. ...
  4. Decorate Your Venue in Style. ...
  5. Plan a Delicious Menu. ...
  6. Capture the Graduation Celebration in Photos. ...
  7. Celebrate Your Grad's Achievements. ...
  8. Make a Toast to the New Grad.
Aug 7, 2023

Do you bring a hostess gift to a graduation party? ›

If you receive an invitation to a graduation party, you are obligated to send a gift. "If you're going to go to a party, you really should give a gift. You should actually bring a hostess gift when you go to the party something like a bottle of wine.

How do you keep people entertained at a graduation party? ›

A graduation party should be vibrant and full of life. Consider hiring a live band or DJ to set the tone with music that resonates with the graduate's journey. A photo booth equipped with fun props and a backdrop reflecting the graduate's interests encourages guests to capture memorable moments.

What is the best theme for graduation? ›

Graduation Party Themes
  • NEW CITY THEME. The perfect sendoff for a grad moving to a new place is to make your graduation party theme centered on their new home. ...
  • GRADUATION FIESTA. ...
  • MAJOR THEME. ...
  • CAREER THEME. ...
  • OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO. ...
  • MOVIE NIGHT. ...
  • SCHOOL COLORS. ...
  • POTLUCK.
Mar 18, 2024

How do you throw an awesome party? ›

These are best tips for throwing the perfect party to make sure everyone enjoys it.
  1. Choose a Date and Time. ...
  2. Choose a Location. ...
  3. Set a Budget. ...
  4. Create a Guest List. ...
  5. Plan the Food and Drinks. ...
  6. Choose Entertainment. ...
  7. Make Sure You Have Enough Supplies. ...
  8. Conclusion.
Aug 30, 2022

When not to bring a hostess gift? ›

‍Likewise, if you and your host often go to gatherings at each other's homes (such as a casual dinner or poker night), a hostess gift isn't necessary, though a bottle of wine or an offer to bring a dish for a dinner is a nice gesture.

How much money should you give at a graduation party? ›

Ideally, an appropriate monetary gift for graduates should range between $100 and $500,” he says.

How much should a hostess gift cost? ›

How Much Should You Spend on a Host Gift? This depends on the host and party! As a general rule of thumb, Trent recommends spending $20 to $30 for a simple get-together like a dinner party, housewarming, or wine night.

How many hours should a graduation party be? ›

It can be planned for directly after the graduation or held a few days (even weeks) afterward. Typically you do not host this party prior to graduation. This party can be structured as a typical party (about 2-4 hours) with a start time or as an open house where guests can come and go as they please.

What is the best time of day for a graduation party? ›

If your graduation ceremony is at 2 p.m., a 10 a.m. to noon or a 4-7 p.m. open house may work best. The time of day you select will also help determine the type of food and beverage you serve. If your party begins at 10 a.m. you may want to serve breakfast or brunch items.

What is a dry grad party? ›

A dry grad is an all-night supervised party for graduating students and their guest. Absolutely no alcohol or other drugs, including tobacco, are allowed. A dry grad party immediately follows the formal convocation, banquet or dance, and typically ends at 5 am or 6 am the following morning.

What is the best color for a graduation party? ›

Black, Silver & Gold Theme

Not to mention, it's just a classic graduation color palette. From glittery gold balloons and silver confetti to black and silver centerpieces, this theme creates a festive ambiance sure to impress.

What food to have at a graduation party? ›

Celebrate the end of the school year by whipping up some of our favorite party-ready graduation foods to earn you an A+ with your guests, like Nashville hot chicken dip, sheet-pan Italian subs, and a copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake for dessert.

What is considered a good graduation gift? ›

A weighted blanket is one of the best items to have in a new dorm room or apartment. Get this comfy, portable blanket so your graduate can get cozy and lounge in whatever space they're in. For more options, check out our guide to the best weighted blankets.

How do you honor a loved one at a graduation party? ›

Let them decorate their graduation cap with the person's name. Another meaningful and creative way to honor their loved one during this big day is by writing down their name on a graduation item, such as their cap.

How long should a grad party last? ›

It can be planned for directly after the graduation or held a few days (even weeks) afterward. Typically you do not host this party prior to graduation. This party can be structured as a typical party (about 2-4 hours) with a start time or as an open house where guests can come and go as they please.

How much money should you bring to a grad party? ›

Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark. Some families and family friends may choose to spend closer to $100 - $500, depending on their finances and the needs of the graduate.

How do you emcee a graduation party? ›

Speaker and author Kwesi Millington offers the following seven tips for being a great event emcee:
  1. Know the Agenda. ...
  2. Keep Your Energy High. ...
  3. Memorize Your Opening. ...
  4. Learn About the Other Speakers. ...
  5. Always Be Communicating. ...
  6. Interact with the Audience. ...
  7. Close with Inspiration.

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