Throw the Best Graduation Party! - Graduation Party Checklist

Throw the Best Graduation Party! Step-By-Step Checklist

With the 2010 graduation season almost upon us, we put together a comprehensive checklist for planning the best graduation party. Print out this list, cross off the things that are not applicable, and you’re ready to get your party planned and carried through to perfection. CONGRATS grads!!!!

6 Weeks Before the Party

Set a party budget
Choose a date/time for the event
Choose a location (the most popular options are: banquet hall, restaurant, park, and your home)
Choose a theme or colors
Create your guest list
Order Graduate Party Invitations
Remember to buy thank you cards
Select a caterer or choose your menu and ask a friend to help
Select a bakery to pre-order graduation cake
Rent tables, chairs and serving-ware
Buy decorations and centerpieces, including balloons, streamers, banners etc.
Buy party favors, pens etc.
Buy paper plates, plastic cups, plastic silverware etc.
Collect memorabilia to create a memory board or scrapbook
Buy a sign in book for guests to write memories
Call for prices on live entertainment, DJ rates, prices to rent a karaoke machine or burn mixed CD’s
Make sure you have a high quality digital camera and video camera ready, with backup batteries
Buy gifts for your graduate and friends
Mail graduation invitations 3-4 weeks before the party

The Week of the Party

Pick up food, snacks and beverages
Send extra invitations with your graduate to school
Wrap gifts for graduate and friends
Confirm delivery of rental equipment (have everything delivered early morning the day of the event or the afternoon before the event so you can set up early).
Confirm cake at bakery
Confirm food at caterer
Double check to make sure you have enough batteries, charged cameras
Set up gift table, food tables, decorations, sign in book, scrapbook etc.
Think about some fun games to play
Have extra coolers available for ice and drinks
Talk to your graduate about expectations and any guidelines during the party

The Day of the Party

Get plenty of rest
Wake your graduate with breakfast in bed!
Pick up the cake
Pick up any last-minute fresh food and lots of ICE!!!
Pick up catered food or verify delivery time
Set up plenty of trash cans and recycling boxes
Clean the outside areas and inside areas
Put out balloons, outside decorations and directional signs
Set out non-perishable food early
Set out perishable food last minute
Assign someone to take photos, videos and give them instructions to get group photos, this may be one for the last times everyone can get together.
Give your graduate a card and/or gift and a big hug! Let them know how proud you are of them!