Planning a memorable party for your high school graduate should be fun, not overwhelming. One of the easiest and best ways to make your graduation party stand out above the crowd is by having a menu that is not only delicious, but that makes a unique statement about your graduate. These simple ideas can turn a party menu from food to a conversation piece. Does this Spark an idea?
Playing With Color
One of the tried and true graduation party themes is to use the colors of the high school your graduate is leaving, or the colors of the college he will be attending. While many people do this with decorations, a menu made up of color-coordinated foods is as easy as it is impressive.
For example, if the school colors you are working with are orange and blue, have candy bowls filled with only the orange and blue M&Ms (you can eat the rest yourself after the party). Assemble fruit skewers with orange slices and blueberries, and stir up a delicious punch with orange sherbet. For your entrée, have bite-sized pieces of the Chinese favorite orange chicken. If you want to serve your favorite nacho cheese chips to go with the orange theme, tint the dip blue. Using food coloring can help you change almost any of your favorite foods into the school colors.
Favorite Things
Celebrate your graduate by paying homage to all of her favorite foods from throughout her life. Set up separate tables throughout the party area labeled for different ages of your graduate, and decorate each one with old photos or schoolwork from that time frame. Then, fill that table with foods and snacks that your graduate loved when she was that age.
If your graduate was a big fan of chicken fingers and peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches during elementary school, serve those next to her adorable toothless elementary school pictures. If her tastes changed to spaghetti and breadsticks in middle school, have some simmering in a crock pot by those pictures. This is a great way to add interest to all of the serving stations and provide a wide variety of food options for your guests as well.
Travel Fare
Another option is to center the menu on foods that your graduate will experience during any summer travel plans he has. If he'll be joining the senior trip to Mexico, consider having a fiesta, complete with nachos and a taco bar. If he'll be traveling to Europe, offer an easy Italian feast featuring lasagna, salad and other simple pasta dishes.
Dessert
No graduation party is complete without a cake. The cake can be in the shape of a mortarboard, feature a favorite photo of your graduate, or even directly tie in with the rest of your menu theme. Consider offering some easy-to-grab desserts like cookies, brownies or lollipops as well.
Beverage Options
Be sure to have several types of beverages available for your guests to choose from. Bottles of water are very convenient, and guests of all ages love soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, punch or coffee. Since it is a high school graduation and the guest of honor is more than likely underage, avoid serving alcoholic beverages to keep all of your guests safe.
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