The time has come. You’re finally graduating from this glorious University you’ve spent the last four (or more) years at. You’ve loved it; you’ve hated it; you’ve been inspired and you’ve wanted to quit. But you made it. You’re finally here.
Of course your family and friends want to celebrate with you, so graduation celebrations are necessary. Everyone will be there, from your grandparents to your roommates, so you can’t just get a keg and call it good. Some serious planning needs to be done for this special event.
It would be wise to start out by sending party invitations. Make sure to make a list of everyone you would like to attend. Even if you know they won’t be able to make it to the party, an invitation is always a kind gesture, especially to family members who live out-of-state. Take some time with the invitations and personalize them to fit your graduation party.
Another aspect to consider while planning this graduation party is location. Have an idea of the size of party you want to have, and then decide where you’d like to have it. If you expect a lot of family to be there, parks and outdoor venues are generally a good idea because they’re spacious and cost-efficient places to celebrate. If the party will be more friend-oriented, with lots of adults and a smaller group, bars and large restaurants are always fun. You can always combine the two as well, and house parties never go out of style.
Decorations for a graduation party are generally pretty easy — school colors. You can find decorations for graduation parties virtually anywhere when spring rolls around. Almost all grocery stores carry themed plates, streamers, plastic silverware, balloons, cakes and of course, food.
After getting RSVPs and a general idea of how many people will be attending your party, you should think about whether you want to provide food for everyone. There are several options regarding food. You can make it a potluck and have people bring along food of their own, have the party catered or provide snacks and drinks for everyone. It’s totally up to you, and the number and dynamic of the attendees.
Of course you’re graduating along with all of your friends, so a joint graduation party may be a good option as well. Team up with a couple of friends or roommates to make your graduation party a large one, or make it a family affair with a nice dinner and some cake.
Gifts are another large part of graduation. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, there are many great gifts for graduates. Some of the top favorite gifts according to collgelife.com include apartment-warming gifts, a classic book, a good cookbook, things to use in a new city (like a subway pass), a new bag or briefcase, a grocery store gift card, a piece of jewelry or a family memento or heirloom. This is a pivotal time in life when these young adults are starting a new chapter and they need all the help they can get.
Whether it’s you, your friend, your sibling or your child who’s graduating, it’s a fun time for everyone. Throwing a graduation party is a great way to send someone off to a new chapter in their life and also a great reason to gather family and friends that you haven’t seen in a while. There are so many different ways to make this graduation special for you, or for someone else. Treasure your last gathering as a college student, and make it special. We’ll never be younger than we are right now, so enjoy it!
Alisha Roemeling
Special Sections Reporter