Plan the perfect high school graduation party
9 tips to plan a party your high school graduate won’t forget
The end of the school year is a busy and exciting time, especially for those about to graduate from high school. Hosting a party for your graduate is a very special occasion. It will be a time to look back over their high school years and celebrate achievements.
From the guest list to the decorations and the dessert, there is a lot of preparation that goes into planning a party for your graduate. Whether you’re looking for the classic backyard barbeque with a big group of people, or a smaller party with just family and a few close friends, there are common elements to consider when planning your celebration.
Here are nine things to consider when planning the perfect high school graduation party…
Tips for hosting a memorable high school graduation party
Establish a budget.
With all the excitement of graduation, it’s easy to get carried away spending money on food, decorations, and a venue. If you’re not looking to break the bank, consider a small gathering with family and a few close friends. This will save money that could be put elsewhere—like tuition!
It’s definitely doable to host an awesome graduation party on a tight budget. Before you go crazy, check in with your graduate and see how they would like to celebrate their big milestone.
Pick a theme.
Having a theme will give your party structure and consistency. It’s also a great way to stay organized, simplify the rest of the planning, and make your guests work a little for their snacks and beverages.
The options are endless when it comes to theme, just be sure to choose one that is suited to the graduate and the majority of your guests (most likely his or her friends!)
Choose the location.
The venue depends entirely on the size of your guest list, and it could be the biggest expense if you’re hosting outside your home. If you have access to a large free space that works for the party, use it!
No matter where you choose to host your graduation party, we’ve got you covered with all the rentals you need. If you plan to entertain outdoors, we have a selection of tents and patio heaters.
Plan the décor.
Once you have a theme picked, roll with it! Decorations can be a lot of fun, but they can also be costly. This is a great place to keep things simple and perhaps get creative with a little DIY action. The internet is your oyster when it comes to DIY party decorations.
Send the invitations.
Whether you’re spending the money and going old school with traditional paper invitations or cutting costs and going electronic, it’s important to give your guests ample notice.
After graduation there will be plenty of social engagements happening, so lock in your guest list early before people accept other invitations. It’s also a good idea to work closely with the families of your graduate’s friends to avoid overlapping graduation parties and hurt feelings.
Prepare plenty of party snacks.
Teenagers love to eat! And you’re likely to have a venue full of them, so it’s a good idea to keep the food simple and plentiful. This is where finger food and snack food become your best friend. Classic party food is a great afternoon party or casual dinner option. Just be sure to have something for everyone in the crowd, especially those with food allergies.
Potlucks are a budget-friendly option if you’re hosting an intimate gathering of family and close friends, particularly if your guests like to cook. If your budget permits, you can always consider catering from your graduate’s favourite restaurant.
When it comes to beverages stock up on juice and a selection of soda, and be sure to include pitchers of water. If you want to increase the level of fun, our slushy machine is always popular with the crowd. We also have other novelty items like popcorn machines, cotton candy machines, and snow cone machines.
Document with photos.
Let your guests get photo happy with a photo booth! Our photo booth buckets include fun props, a
Bluetooth selfie stick (to use with your own phone), and instructions. All you need to do is get creative making memories with family and friends. Plus, party photos can easily be shared among your guests and printed as keepsakes for later. Don’t forget to create a hashtag!
Add to the fun, by creating school superlative speech bubbles that say things like: “Best Hair,” “Most Athletic,” “Biggest Gossip,” “Best Smile,” and “Most Likely to…”
Crank up the music.
Nothing gets the party started like an awesome playlist. If you can’t find live music, tap into your inner DJ and create some lengthy playlists. Make sure that your speakers can handle party-level volume and crank it up.
There’s also the option of streaming playlists with Spotify, iTunes, or Google Play. You can also ask party guests to bring their iPods, and other music players, loaded with their favourite songs. To keep the music pumping, get people to take turns as DJ while you all bust some moves on our dance floor.
Don’t do the dishes.
We rent a great selection of dishware, glassware, and cutlery when you don’t have enough to go around. Plus, we do all the dishes for you! When the party’s over, simply stack up all the dirty dishes and head to bed. It really is that easy.
Choose Relay Event Rentals
No matter what type of event that you’re planning, we can help you with all your party needs. We have an excellent selection of event rentals, novelty items, and creative decorations to choose from. Plus, we are full of ideas and party planning experience if you need a little inspiration.
Give us a call at 250-871-4646, or email info@relayevents.ca to get the party started.
Or, if you prefer, stop by our showroom at 2-1255 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay, where you’ll always find our friendly, experienced team happy to help.