8 Simple Steps to a Fabulous Grad Party (Free prints/labels)

For so many families, graduations will be happening in the next few months. With that in mind, today I’m sharing 8 simple steps to a fabulous grad party that your teen will love.

If you’re that mom who planned your teen’s party months ago, I salute you. However, assuming you’re more like me, so caught up in the emotions of it all that you almost forgot this important tradition, read on!

Graduation Party Checklist

Graduation Day! An ending or a new beginning? No matter how you look at it, life is about to change for all of you. For your teen, they have not even begun to understand the changes about to take place. Maybe they will be heading off to college in the fall or starting a new job soon. Perhaps a new apartment, serving their country, or seeing the world is in their plans. They are happy to be done with high school, excited for their future, and probably a little bit sad all at the same time.

For you, that child that has been your focus for the last 18 years, will soon be leaving the nest that you carefully created for them. There is no doubt that you are well aware of the changes about to take place. You’re happy to be done with high school, excited for their future, and probably a little bit sad all at the same time.

With all the emotions swirling around, it’s hard to see which end is up. Still, you want them to know how proud you are of what they accomplished so far. A celebration is in order and you want it to be perfect. Throwing a party that your graduate will love is not as hard as it seems. Simply follow the checklist below and create a beautiful memory for all of you.

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1. Set a Date

You’ll need to be flexible here. Your grad will want to coordinate with their besties. There will be certain friends whose presence is a must. There will also be several parties they absolutely have to attend. ( One option might be to throw a joint party. Sharing the day with the parents of a few friends could be a great way to go, 1/2 the work, 1/2 the price… win, win for everyone.)

2. Invitations

For the most part, formal invitations have fallen by the wayside in favor of E-vites. Let your teens handle that part. Give them your parameters as far as numbers go and let them get creative. You can still send a formal invitation to your great aunt if your mixing family and friends into one party.

3. Food

BBQ’s are always a great way to go. Pizza, subs, or takeout from their favorite high school hangout works well too. A taco bar is always popular and depending on the time of day, even a simple treat table is enough. (Think cup cakes with school colors, decorated cookies, or a personalized cake. )

Depending on your budget, hiring a food truck for a few hours takes a lot of the burden off you and the kids will love it!

4. Games

Lawn games are a fun way to create a party mood. (Be ready with some indoor alternatives if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

5. Music

Music is also a must for a fabulous grad party atmosphere and will automatically add a happy vibe. You can create a playlist of the most famous graduation tunes from the past. In fact, you can find a spotify list that I put together for the Class of 2020 right here or you can assign this task to your graduate. They will probably be relieved that you’re leaving the song choices to them!

6. Picture Station

The number of selfies on your teen’s phone is astronomical. They have pictures of everything they’ve done for the past four years. Well… not everything. Trust me, what isn’t on that phone are things that you really don’t want to know anyway! Still, this could be one of the last times some of them will all be together. Give them a fun backdrop for photos to remember this day. Create your own or buy a ready made. They will come up with ideas to make it special as the day goes on.

Be sure to have some funny props they can use too!

7. Decorations

This can be as simple or as over the top as you want. You can walk through any store these days and a graduation aisle is front and center. Most will include a complete package of coordinating decorations. ( Your local Walmart is a great place to find plates and cups in your school colors.) Here are a few generic options that can be on your doorstep in just a few days.

Simple ball jars filled with flowers make great centerpieces for indoor or outdoor tables. (I’ve added some fun labels that are free for everyone to download and print by clicking on the prompt below ). In addition, when the party is over, they are a great gift for other grads who attended as well.

8. Party Favors

The final step for creating a fabulous grad party is to say “Thank You” for coming! Filling mini grad caps with candy is adorable. Rubber bracelets commemorating their big day works too. You can even do little treat bags in school colors complete with a graduation sticker. Little gifts stacked in a basket by the door is the perfect way to show you appreciate them all.

Graduation Printable Gifts

The printables below, along with several others, have all been added to the Library. Always free to subscribers, simply click here, choose your favorites, download and print. They are great to frame and display for the party and they also make a wonderful gift for the grads in your life.

If you haven’t joined us yet, please do! Your email in the blue box below will have the printable password to your inbox in minutes. You’ll always be the first to know when new prints are added and I’ll keep you up to date on all the latest in seasonal decor.

Thanks so much for stopping by and congratulations to you and your Graduate! If you’re looking for a special DIY gift, be sure to check out last year’s post, How to Put Together a Graduation Memory Book.

See you soon!