Graduation parties are not just a way to end high school or college with a bang, but they’re also a celebration of joy and hard work. It’s a big deal, and after all those endless assignments and late-night study sessions, you all deserve to share the excitement with friends and family who cheered you on throughout the journey.
If you’re looking to throw a wonderful graduation party but have quite a limited budget, here are some tips to help you plan and realize one without breaking the bank!
Host at home
Whether it’s an indoor gathering at home or a fun and intimate one in your own backyard, hosting at home is one of the most cost-effective ways to throw any party. Venue rental costs can be too expensive. All you have to do to make it just as good is get creative with your theme or DIY decorations. Think streamers, balloons, or handmade banners. You can even incorporate graduation photos into your decor for an even more personal touch!
Prepare games and activities
One of the must-haves of a graduation party is a photo booth setup. People would want to capture the moment and immortalize this core memory. You can rent out a photo booth or set up one using photo booth apps. Just prepare some fun props like glasses, hats, and graduation signs and get silly with your friends. You can also create a digital album with all the photo booth shots and share them with your guests on social media.
Other fun games to play during a graduation party include a trivia game or memory jar. It’s the perfect moment to reminisce and celebrate all the good times shared. You can have all the guests write their favorite memory and place them in the memory jar. You can then read the heartfelt notes sometime during the party. Another thing you shouldn’t miss is the yearbook signing activity. And to make it even more heartfelt, you can even prepare some slideshows or a video montage compiling all the funny, silly, or memorable photos and videos throughout the years.
Buy in bulk
If you buy snacks, drinks, and even party supplies from wholesale stores, you can further lower the graduation party costs. Stock up on popular bulk items for parties like chips, pretzels, popcorn, nuts, or even candy. It’s best to also accommodate various dietary preferences and restrictions when finalizing the food choices. Consider including vegan options, gluten-free snacks, or other healthier options as well. As for your beverages, you can buy juice boxes, bottled water, soda, etc. and even set up a DIY beverage station that matches your chosen theme.
Shop sales and use coupons
Look out for discounts, sales, and coupons at local stores or even online retailers. This way, you can plan your shopping and preparation around the best deals. Some stores launch clearance sales a few days leading up to graduation, so find a good timing to buy more and save more.
Maximize free or low-cost entertainment
If you can’t afford hiring a DJ, a creative playlist will do with all the graduates’ favorite songs. You can also just do karaoke or clear some space for some dance party at home. If you have invited your teachers or mentors, having guest speaker sessions is also a wonderful idea to share short, inspiring pieces of advice or stories for the graduates. There are lots of ways to entertain the guests without having to shell out a lot. Just be creative and remember that it’s all about having a memorable time and celebrating achievement with people who matter.
Limit the guest list
Speaking of people who matter, to keep it intimate and cost-effective, you can just keep the guest list small to also make the event more manageable. Just focus on your close friends and family members. Just make the event relaxed and enjoyable together with your closest supporters.
Send the invites
To successfully limit the guest list, you can send creative invitations using ready-made graduation templates online. If you have a specific theme, your invitation card’s design should translate that. Make sure that all graduation party details are complete and accurate, including the date & time, location, dress code, RSVP instructions, and other special requests. You can even add a special graduation note or quote to add a more personal touch.
Just budget beforehand and stick to your budget plan as you shop around to make sure you don’t end up buying impulsively or spending on low-priority items. Graduation parties are meant to be just fun and memorable, so just relax and consider it a perfect time to celebrate this milestone and let go of the worries before you embrace the next chapter ahead.