Following four years of high school most graduates cap their experience with a party to commemorate their big day. These parties allow the graduate a chance to let off some steam an to interact with their friends outside of school. Graduation parties require planning and proper execution to be successful and may be the last chance the graduate has to have some fun before heading off to college or to careers.
Types of Graduation Parties
Graduation parties come in many forms and themes. Depending on the desires of the graduate the party can be a small family affair or a large gathering of the graduates friends and family members. Each type of party should be approached differently.
Family oriented parties are similar to open house parties. The graduate and their parents open their home to extended family, friends of the family and a few close friends of the graduate. These parties generally occur the same day as the graduation ceremony and can be as informal as a cookout. During an open house the graduate accepts gifts, mingles and shares their future plans with their guests.
Friend oriented graduation parties are usually scheduled for the evening hours and in many cases several graduates will combine their parties into one big event. These parties are far more informal than open house parties. Some graduates have the parties in their homes but many rent out facilities in order to accommodate large crowds. Finger foods are often served at these parties and guests enjoy games and dancing.
Decorate for A Family Party or Open House
Decorating for a family oriented graduation party or open house can vary tremendously. Guests are usually welcomed into the home by a large banner congratulating the graduate. Tables are decorated with table cloths in the school colors and with graduation themed confetti that included cut outs of caps and diplomas. Silverware and plates are either purchased in school colors though it's possible to purchase paper plates that include well wishes to the graduate imprinted on them. The graduate is the focus of this type of party and therefore excessive decorations like streamers are not commonly used for this type of party. Instead the graduate and their parents make picture collages that chronicle the activities and events the student was involved in. A modern twist to this is to use a computer slide sshare pictures of the graduate's high school activities with the guests.
Decorate for A Friend Oriented Party
Friend oriented graduation parties are more about having fun and letting lose than celebrating the graduate. These parties are flashier than family parties and may include everything from streamers to a disco ball in the middle of the dance floor. The size of the venue being used may allow the graduate to hire a DJ in order to keep the guests dancing or with smaller parties an eclectic mix of downloaded music will work. Unlike the family party a friend graduation party doesn't need a place for gifts though there should be plenty of room to refreshments and finger foods. If the party is being held outdoors lanterns and tiki torches provide light and will help to fight off the mosquitoes if filled with citronella oil.
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