Graduation Party Ideas – Decorations.  Day 3 is all about Graduation Party Ideas, Decorations & DIY Centerpieces.  We hope these tips and ideas will help make the process less stressful for you or that you can share these tips and pass along to your friend or family member that might be going through this very party planning.  

The extent to which you decorate depends on:

1. BUDGET – Decorating for a Graduation party can vary a lot.  This is truly the most personalized portion of the party.   Be sure you consult with the graduate as to what they would like to see and if it fits in the budget great if not explain to them the budget and work it out.
2. THEME -  Most people choose to incorporate their high school’s colors throughout their graduation party decor as a way to honor their achievements at that school over the last few years. Other graduates may choose to look ahead at where they will be attending college, and may want their future alma matter’s colors represented at their party. Therefore, talk to the graduate and see which color scheme they would prefer. You can also always incorporate both sets of colors in different areas of the event if they don’t want to choose! It's been my experience that Male Graduates don't really have a preference, and Female Graduates have a lot of preferences.
3. LOCATION – Is your party outside?  In a Banquet Hall?  Depending on the venue you may be limited by what you can do so take that into consideration when planning your decorations.  

DECORATING BASICS

On a limited budget?   Stick with the basics.  

• White Tablecloths – I found some that fit to table with elastic on Amazon!  Great Time Saver!
• Helium Balloons tied to weight in middle of table and around area.

Keep those two items with the color theme of the party and you are good to go!  

DECORATING BEYOND THE BASICS

Have a little more money in the budget?   The skies the limit!   You can go as extravagant or as simple as you want depending on your theme.  Some other things to add:

• Tablecloths (the ones with elastic or more formal to the floor color coded to theme).
• Balloons (theme color)  and Mylar Balloons with Graduation Year
• Flowers
• Centerpieces
• Streamers
• Speciality Lighting
• Confetti

TABLE CENTERPIECES

If it wasn't for our sister Diane we wouldn't have even realized that we should have a table centerpiece, it almost went unnoticed!   But being the awesome crafter she is she came up with a brilliant idea!  So we gave her a budget and delegated centerpieces for her to create.   TIP 5  Delegate if possible.   

Table centerpieces can be be extravagant with extensive Floral arrangements, or simple with a couple of helium balloons attached to the middle of the table, or somewhere in-between it's truly up to you and the theme of the party.

Here is some  pictures of what she is working on….they aren't complete yet, but they are looking great!   She will fill in the middle of the can with shredded paper. 

THE MEMORY BOARD

This is something that a lot of graduates will have.  You can do something as simple as a photo slide show on a lap top computer or a free standing board displayed at the party.  

TIP 6 – Keep it simple.   Unless you have a graduate that wants to help you and be super involved in the display board or memory board, or have tons of time on your hands we recommend keeping it simple.  It's easier for others to view and it's still a nice way to honor the graduate. 

Check back tomorrow for your last and final day of Graduation Party Ideas our focus – Food & Entertainment 

Have tips you would like to share or questions?  Leave a comment we would love to hear from you!