Graduation is an incredible milestone for any student whether it’s from nursery school or law school. For many, graduation is all about receiving a diploma and tossing a hat in the air. However, graduation is more than just the actual ceremony. Graduation celebrates the journey through academia to the bright future that awaits them. So when planning a graduation party for someone, why not think beyond the generic cap and gown motif and give one of these creative party themes a try?
Retro Mod
From Doris Day to Don Draper, the 60’s was an iconic decade for corporate America, so his theme is perfect for the older graduates who are about to finish law or business school and are preparing to enter office life. To set the mood, decorate your walls with movie posters and advertisements from that era. Serve retro hors d’oeuvres and be sure set up a cocktail area. Tell guests to come dressed in vintage dresses and suits. For even more fun, use a desk with a telephone or typewriter for a “reception area” and have a friend or family member who’s good at role playing, sit at the desk as the “secretary.” Here, the secretary will be “taking messages” for the graduate with a book that guests can sign. Not only does this create a lovely keepsake for the graduate, but it can also serve as a fun photo station for the guests signing the book.
Road Trip Party
This laid back motif captures how life can take you lots of fun and unexpected places and encourages graduates to be open to all of those possibilities. Hang oversized maps and license plates on your walls as decorations and place various trunks and suitcases around the part area. For your menu, create a buffet of specialty dishes from different states like Texas Chili or Boston Crème Pie. Tabletops can be decorated with postcards and miniature bicycles, cars or planes. Lastly, as an alternative to the usual guestbook, get a spinning globe from a thrift store and spray paint it gold. Place it on a table with several sharpie pens, so that guests can sign it. You’ll have a beautiful centerpiece once guests have finished.
Smart Cookie Party
This simple and sweet party is perfect for the little ones graduating from preschool or kindergarten. To create a cookie bar, set a table with several plates, each with a different kind of cookie. Place small chalkboard slates in front of each plate as a label with the corresponding cookie flavor. Add some antique books and fresh wildflowers in mason jars to the table setting for a rural schoolhouse feel. And of course, have plenty of milk to go with those cookies!
If someone close to you will be graduating soon, give them a party that truly captures their journey and destination. Want more ideas? Check out this post for info on how to contact me to get your event personally styled.
Leave a Reply