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Summer break is right around the corner, which means that students all over the country will be donning their caps and gowns and receiving those hard-earned diplomas. There’s no denying that graduation—be it from elementary school, middle school, high school or college—is a milestone worth commemorating. As such, you’ll likely want to celebrate the student in your life who’s stepping up and we have a whole host of graduation party ideas to help you plan the perfect bash. Read on for the best party decor, favors, activities and recipes around and the celebration will be just as successful as the guest of honor.
56 College Graduation Gift Ideas
Graduation Party Decor Ideas
1. Oh The Places You’ll Go Graduation Party
A Night Owl
Inject a little childhood nostalgia into the big celebration (you know that’s how you’re feeling) and even if the grads in attendance aren’t quite as misty-eyed as their parents, the throwback Dr. Seuss-inspired theme will surely warm their hearts. Plus, it’s a great send-off for grads who are about to conquer the unknown—be it a gap year, a first year at college or a new career.
2. DIY Holographic Balloon Backdrop
Studio DIY
The garland-making technique is fairly straightforward and the effect, which is sparkly enough for any celebration, promises to yield some very Insta-worthy grad photos.
3. Pop-up Balloon Messages
Studio DIY
Here, another festive and cheerful balloon DIY. This one is exceedingly easy, since it really only involves cutting out cardstock letters and taping them to a balloon—just keep in mind that, if you want to make a statement, the bigger and rounder the balloon, the better.
4. School Spirit Balloon Arch
The Craft Patch
If you like the idea of a school spirit theme, this attractive balloon arch, which can be customized to feature the school’s signature colors, is an excellent choice. Best of all, the whole thing comes together quickly with just a few budget-friendly materials, so you can easily make more than one arch for the event if you wish.
5. Graduation Memory Wreath
DIY Beautify
Feeling sentimental? They really do grow up so fast, which is why it makes perfect sense to celebrate all the ages and stages that led up to their big graduation moment with a photo wreath. This DIY is incredibly easy and requires little more than a pool noodle, a hot glue gun and a small stack of sweet (or silly) photos.
6. Printable Grad Bottle Tags
Persia Lou
You don’t have to be a craft expert to pull this one off, since all you need is a printer to achieve this cute refreshment table decor, which can be attached to Champagne bottles at a college grad party or sparkling cider for the high school set.
7. ‘Adventure Awaits’ Pennant with DIY Banner
Alice & Lois
This one is more fitting for high school graduation parties (gap years, dorm life, etc.) and less so for college grads (job hunting, rent) but the printable pennants are a fine way to spruce up any spread and the banner and the matching garland is an exceedingly easy way to add even more color to the party space.
Graduation Party Favors
8. Charm Bracelet Graduation Lei
The House That Lars Built
These highly customizable and easy-to-make leis are such a sweet way to add a personalized touch to the party favor selection. Choose the charms based on the individual hobbies and interests of each attendee and hand out the wearable art at the door so each grad can rock it during the party and hold onto it as a keepsake for years to come.
9. Graduation Candy Grams
Kara Creates
Giving cash to a grad is a time-honored tradition. That said, we can all agree that a cash-wrapped candy bar beats a cash-stuffed envelope, dollars to donuts. (Right?)
10. DIY Money Confetti Poppers
Studio DIY
Another clever way to gift cash and a decidedly celebratory one at that—these DIY confetti poppers are a cinch to make and can be made from scratch or by using a hack involving store-bought cake push-pops or confetti poppers. (Whatever route you go, the tutorial covers all the bases.)
11. Graduation Cap Gift Jar
Crafts by Amanda
This adorable and very fitting mason jar craft is so easy, you don’t even need a degree to accomplish it. All jokes aside, though, this is a perfect party favor for gifting money (or anything else, for that matter) and looks great as part of the display for a seated dinner.
12. DIY Shine Bright Party Favors
Julie Measures
Here, a clever way to celebrate your recent grad’s smarts that can be assembled in the blink of an eye with nothing more than a lightbulb, tassel keychain and hot glue gun.
13. ‘Orange You Glad You Graduated?’ Gift Basket
Kara Creates
A free printable tag announces the punny theme, but what you put in the gift basket is entirely up to you. Get creative and customize it—just make sure the contents are orange.
14. ‘One Degree Hotter’ Graduation Tees
Happiness is Homemade
If you don’t own a Cricut or some other type of electronic cutting machine, keep scrolling…but with the some help from that special piece of equipment these cheeky tees couldn’t be easier to make and the grads will surely get a kick out of them.
Graduation Party Activities
15. Paper Flower Graduation Tassels
The House That Lars Built
We love these pretty paper flower tassels and we’re pretty sure the guests of honor will, too. Print out the instructions and set up a craft table with all the required materials so that the grads can embellish their own caps.
16. Lawn Game Party
RichLegg/Getty Images
Fire up the BBQ and take the party to the backyard for an afternoon of lawn games and good eats. There are plenty of games to choose from (cornhole, bocce ball and horseshoes, to name a few) so guests are guaranteed to stay entertained.
17. Photo Booth
Siri Stafford/Getty Images
Photo booths are pretty pricey, but fortunately you can rent one for a much more reasonable price from companies like Booth by Mail. Best of all, the set up is a cinch and you can get creative with the backdrop or just use one of the options included with the rental.
18. Who Knows the Graduate Best? Game
Amazon
This sturdy paper guessing game is very straightforward (you just fill in the blank) and it’s an excellent way to celebrate the guest of honor, while making the graduation dinner party a little more lively and fun.
19. Trivia Party
Anna Bizon/Getty Images
After earning their degree, grads should know a thing or two, right? Test their general knowledge by organizing a trivia night party for the group. The friendly competition and fast-paced game play will add excitement to any celebration.
20. Pin the Cap on the Graduate Game
Delia Creates
Here, the beloved birthday party game gets a graduation-themed twist and the result is a nostalgic and wholesome grad party activity that everyone will enjoy (even if most of them miss the mark, so to speak).
21. Shooting Star Pull Piñata
Delia Creates
This DIY piñata involves quite a bit of crafting but the festive finished product is well worth the effort, since it’s an impressive piece of decor and a fun activity that a whole group of grads can enjoy without having to beat your hard work to a pulp. (Bonus points if you fill it with candy and cash.)
Graduation Party Recipes
22. Graduation Cupcakes
Somewhat Simple
Bake your own cupcakes or simply use the store bought variety for this easy dessert—a sweet and fitting tribute to the occasion.
23. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater’s Aioli
Katherine Gillen
In case you missed it, everything bagel seasoning makes, well, everything better, and these pigs in a blanket are proof. They’re also a fuss-free finger food that’s perfect for a grad party.
24. Mini Nachos
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Mini nachos are a brilliant invention that ensure no grad gets the short end of the stick (or chip, as it were), since every individual portion is perfectly loaded with all the good stuff. In other words, this party appetizer is an overachiever.
25. Avocado and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
For a vegetarian dish that’s a little more substantial than the finger food options, this pasta salad, featuring a dreamy combination of creamy avocado and hearty black beans, fits the bill. Bonus: It pairs well with those mini nachos if you’re going for a Mexican food theme.
26. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
The bite-sized sandwiches known as sliders were born to be the star of any party spread, and these ones are no exception. Best of all, they come together with store bought buffalo sauce and rotisserie chicken, so you can make a big batch in just 15 minutes without breaking a sweat.
get the recipe
27. Loaded Baked Potato ‘Chips’
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Here, homemade potato chips are turned into a baked potato version of the mini nacho. They’re bite-sized, bursting with flavor and damn delicious.
28. Sweet Potato Crostini
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Serve these sweet potato crostini for a gluten-free party app that can be made two ways—either topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese, or cranberries, almonds and creme fraiche—and looks as good as it tastes.
29. BLT Pasta Salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Pasta salad is a classic party food, because it’s easy to make a big batch and is meant to be served cold. This one is a winner, but we probably don’t need to explain why turning everyone’s favorite sandwich into a pasta dish is a recipe for success.
30. Easy Skillet Mushroom and Gouda Fondue
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Another classy dish that will elevate any party spread—this fondue is truly easy to make and you don’t need a fancy fondue pot to pull it off, either. Plus, the flavor combination of melty gouda and umami-forward mushrooms is sure to keep grads coming back for more. (Pro tip: make sure there’s plenty of bread.)
105 Graduation Quotes to Inspire and Motivate the Class of 2024
