Hi friends, Jess here! As we eagerly await the start of spring, I know many families have one thing on their mind...graduation parties! Having thrown two so far myself, I know how stressful it can be to try to plan all the food, drinks, games, and more for the big day. Here are some of my tried-and-true favorites to take the hassle out of celebrating your grad.
VENUE
- Whether you choose to rent a hall, a park, or host right in your own backyard, you can host the perfect party! If hosting outside, be sure to have a backup plan in the event of rain. Many local companies offer large tent rentals, OR you can use it as an excuse to clean the garage to set tables and chairs up in there if needed to get out of the rain.
- If you're renting a local park or shelter, be sure to check their rental calendars well in advance. Sheboygan area parks often book up many months (or more) in advance, especially around grad party season!
- Since we hosted our kids' parties in our backyard, we opted to rent a port-a-potty (cost about $150) for guests to use to avoid people going in/out of our house all day because we have dogs that we didn't want to have to worry about with all the extra traffic. It was totally worth the added expense and the company delivered/picked up promptly when we were done.
GAMES
- The best parties we've attended (and thrown!) have a variety of games for guests to enjoy. Our Ultimate Yard Party Kit includes cornhole, ladder ball, disc dunk, giant jenga and yard dice. We will drop the kit off at your doorstep the morning of the party and pick it up when you are done. Easy peasy!
- Want to add even MORE fun? Consider getting 4 colors of spray paint and spraying a giant twister board in the grass! No spinner, no problem! Simply make little cards that say right/left hand/foot and all the colors to have the "caller" choose from. Then, when the party is done, just mow the lawn!
SELFIE STATION
- We LOVED having a selfie station at our grad parties and put signs on tables with a custom hashtag to encourage guests to use so we could easily find all the pics they shared on socials. Our Ultimate Yard Party includes a pop-up tent that can be used for shady seating OR as a selfie station! Simply put up one of the side walls, hang a few balloons or a custom sign for your graduate, and set some fun props on a table for guests to choose from. There are some fun, affordable cardboard or downloadable props online OR just take a peek in your closets! Hats, scarves, old Halloween costumes, your grad's cap/gown and costume jewelry can all make for some REALLY fun photos!
FOOD/DRINKS
- Entertaining can be stressful when it comes to food and drinks but there are a few things you can do to cut your stress (and costs)! Consider prepping any condiments/toppings/side dishes in smaller containers that you can just pull out of the fridge and easily swap out when things are getting low. This prevents food from getting dry/warm/crusty.
- Many local delis offer things like pre-sliced onions and tomatoes for a small fee which can make your party prep that much easier!
- Watch for sales on beverages in the months leading up to the party and stock up when it makes sense financially to do so OR consider renting a portable keg/tapper from a local distributor. We were able to get root beer on tap for a fraction of what we would've paid for cans!
- If you're planning meat for burgers, tacos, etc..., a safe rule of thumb is a quarter pound per person. Some will eat more and some won't eat at all. And remember, you don't have to "have it all". Many guests will be hopping from party to party that day so just serve what works best for YOU.
PHOTO BOARDS
- With so many tech options these days, don't feel you need to spend time and money printing and taping photos of your grad to big boards. Consider making an album on your phone that can be shared to a tv in the party area to simply play throughout the day.
- You can even create a google drive file to share on the party invite and ask family and friends to contribute THEIR photos of your grad in the weeks leading up to the party!
- No tv? No problem. Our Outdoor Movie Kit comes with inflatable AND fabric "you hang" screens and a projector that you can connect to your phone to show off your pictures. Plus, there's a popcorn maker included for a bonus snack for guests!
At the end of the day, your graduation party is meant to be a fun celebration. Try not to sweat the small stuff and just enjoy the company of friends and family. Cheers to you and your grad!
-Jess