Are you looking for the best grad party ideas to recreate? Here are 32 insanely good graduation party ideas that guests won’t be able to stop raving about!
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Happy graduation day!! It’s probably not your graduation day right now but I just wanted to congratulate all of the graduates. My sister is actually a senior now and about to graduate as well. I just cannot believe how fast time flies.
I can still remember what I was like in high school. They used to give us piles of homework and make us study for things that weren’t even on the test. Sometimes, I think they just give us busy work. I used to study at least three or four hours every day after school.
I literally had no time for me. I also got suspended once or twice. Before you start judging, it wasn’t my fault. Anyway, enough of my rant. Becoming a high school graduate is a big deal and deserves to be celebrated. And what better way to celebrate than throwing an epic graduation party?
First things first, you’ll want to start sending out invitations at least a couple of months in advance. This way, your friends will have plenty of time to clear their schedules for your big day. You’ll also want to think about the theme, what kind of foods you’re going to be serving, and of course the decorations.
If you have no idea where to start or what to include, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve gathered 32 insanely good and budget-friendly graduation party ideas that all of your guests will love. From soda bars, to photo guestbooks, and the cutest backdrops, your party will be remembered for years!
SHOP INVITATIONS
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GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS
1. CANDY BUFFET
If you’re looking for ways to serve candy to your friends, this is a great way to do it. Create a little station with sweet treats like tootsie rolls, smarties, and gummy worms.
Write down phrases on a piece of paper that correlate with the candy. For example, for the gummy worms, you can write “book worms”.
2. SHOWCASE PICTURES OF YOU
I absolutely love this idea. Print out pictures of yourself from when you were really young to now and add them into frames. Display them on a table and recall your favorite years.
This is a great way to see how much you’ve grown and it also looks fantastic.
3. PHOTO GUESTBOOK
Why bother simply writing down your name when you can take fun pictures? Buy a few Polaroid cameras and have all of your guests take cute pictures and glue them on the guestbook with a few kind words.
This is so much better than just having them write down their name.
4. DISPLAY YOUR AWARDS
This is a great idea for both high school and college graduates. Gather up all of your awards and accolades you’ve received throughout the years and display them on a wooden pallet.
Include honor roll certificates, medals, and a few pictures of yourself to top it off.
5. GRAD CARD HOLDER
I’m gonna warn you now, you will be receiving tons and tons of congratulatory cards from your friends and family.
These are all so special and you can look back to those cards to recall an epic party. Don’t lose any and make a DIY card holder using cardstock, a cardboard box, and a hot glue gun.
6. PHOTO BACKDROP
You cannot throw a graduation party without having the cutest photo backdrop. You can get a green leaf backdrop like the one in the picture from Amazon for really cheap.
Create the “grad” using wooden letters and add fake flowers on top. You’ll get the most beautiful pictures.
7. WELCOME SIGN
Make sure your guests know where the graduation party is being held by placing a cute welcome sign by the entrance.
You can just get a mini chalkboard stand and use chalk to write down whatever you want on it. Add some balloons in your school colors for the final touch.
8. PHOTO BOARD
Photo boards are such a cute and easy grad party decor idea. Print out pictures of you and your friends throughout your high school years.
Include cute photos, significant events, and silly ones as well. Use clothespins to hang them up and let everyone see your favorite memories.
9. COLLEGE PARTY
How many of you already know which college you want to go to or have already gotten your acceptance letters? If you have, then why not throw a graduation party in your college colors?
Include delicious foods, decorations, and cute pictures throughout your party. You can also have your acceptance letter framed and showcase that as well.
10. MEMORY JAR
What a fun way to recall all of your favorite memories with your loved ones. Create a little station and ask your friends to write down their favorite memories with you.
These memories can be from the school assembly (I have quite a few of those myself), from classes, when you’re hanging out after school, or literally from anywhere else.
11. GRADUATION CENTERPIECE
If you have some tables set up or just need a centerpiece that’ll grab everyone’s attention, this is the one for you.
Grab a mason jar and insert flowers of your choosing and a couple of cute pictures of yourself. Put the jar on a wooden slice and voila! You’ve got a super cute and simple centerpiece.
12. DONUT BOARD
I have not come across one person who doesn’t love donuts. I mean, what is there not to love? It is the perfect sweet treat.
Grab a donut board (You can find them on Etsy) and add lots of donuts. Make sure you include different flavors and toppings to cater to everyone.
13. SODA BAR
Since most graduation parties are held in the summer, you’re going to want to serve refreshments.
Most people love soda so I recommend you create a little station with different types of pop. A few popular options are Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Diet Coke, and of course, Pepsi.
14. DIPLOMA NAPKINS
How cute are these? These diploma napkins are seriously so easy to recreate. Grab your paper napkins, roll them up, and tie them in the middle using a black ribbon. It’ll take you less than 30 seconds to make one.
15. GRADUATION CAP CHAMPAGNE FLUTES
If you are a college graduate or are 21 years of age, then it doesn’t hurt to let loose a little and enjoy a nice, chilled glass of champagne.
Make little hats to protect your drink from bugs outside with some black construction paper, glue, and a tassel.
16. WRITE ADDRESS ON ENVELOPE
You will definitely be getting lots of gifts from your friends so make it easier on yourself and have them write down their address on envelopes. You can send out thank you cards later on.
17. USE DISPOSABLE CAMERAS
This is such a thoughtful idea. Obviously, you won’t be able to take pictures all night long by yourself. So, have your friends each take a disposable camera so they can take pictures throughout the party as well.
You can develop them later and upload them to a shared album so everyone has access to the fun photos.
18. CHIPS STAND
Everyone loves chips and they are a delicious and light snack so why not include them at your party? Make sure you include different flavors and brands so your guests have a variety of options to choose from.
A few popular choices are hot Cheetos, Lays potato chips, Fritos, and of course Doritos.
19. SANDWICHES
It’s a no-brainer that people love sandwiches so make sure you include them at your grad party. You can have them all pre-made or put out ingredients so the guests can pick which toppings they want.
20. CHARCUTERIE BOATS
I am a huge fan of charcuterie boards. They are a great way to serve appetizers and are also visually appealing.
But instead of the board, make charcuterie cups with a few of each Ingredient for everyone. This way, no one will be fighting over the last cube of cheese. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.
21. VEGGIE CUPS
As someone who doesn’t even like vegetables, I can tell you first hand, veggie cups are delicious. All you need to do is cut the veggies of your choosing into thin strips.
A few to include are celery, carrots, and bell peppers. Serve them with some ranch and enjoy!
22. FRIENDS THEME
Calling all Friends lovers, you need to include this at your grad party. Buy an orange or red couch and put that outside.
Get a large chalkboard with stands and place that behind the couch. For the title write ” The one where they graduate” and for the season and episode write your graduating year.
23. MONEY CAKE
This is absolutely gorgeous. This would be a great gift from your parents or relatives for your graduation. You can display this at your party and use it as a centerpiece too.
24. MARQUEE LETTERS
Almost all graduation parties have marquee letters and for good reason. They are very affordable, look amazing, and make for an amazing photo backdrop.
Include a hula hoop with lots of balloons attached to complete the look.
25. HULA HOOP PHOTO CENTERPIECE
Are you looking for the perfect centerpiece for your graduation party? If so, you need to recreate this hula hoop photo centerpiece idea.
Grab a medium-sized hula hoop and spray paint it gold. Use strings and clothespins to attach the pictures. Lastly, add some pretty florals to finish the look.
26. FRUIT KABOBS
Fruit kabobs are so insanely good. They are sure to be a hit at your party. Just cut some fruit into square shapes and slide them down wooden skewers.
A few to include are strawberries, mangoes, pineapple, watermelon, and raspberries.
27. KEY TO THE FUTURE
I’ve always believed that the key to success is great advice. So have your friends write down their best advice for you and your future.
You can attach the notes to little fake keys which you can get from Amazon.
28. BUILD MEMORIES
I absolutely love this grad party idea. Buy wooden blocks and have your friends sign them. They can also add some good advice there, their favorite memories with you, or just a cute little note you can remember them by.
29. FLOWER BAR
Looking for cute party favors for your guests? How about a flower bar? The guests can select which type of vase they want, add water, and mix and match the flowers they want to take home.
30. DESSERT TABLE
Every party needs to have a dessert table. You can set up a little table in a corner or if you’re holding your party outdoors, make sure it’s under a tent so the bugs don’t hover over it.
A few good options for desserts are cupcakes, cakes, cake pops, donuts, and ice cream.
31. GLITTER BAR
A party is no true party without some sort of entertainment. And this glitter bar is absolutely perfect if you’re throwing an intimate party with just your close friends.
You can use face paint to draw on each other, add glitter, and of course lots of gems. This is seriously so fun.
32. ONE SMART COOKIE
Everyone loves cookies so it’s obviously going to be at the party. I would suggest including a variety of different flavors instead of just one so your guests have options.
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THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS
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