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Hints for throwing a Grade A graduation party
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By Jill Kelley,
Staff Writer
Updated 2:48 PM Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The best graduation parties are those that reflect the graduate — literally or figuratively.
When Terri Scoby of Xenia threw a high school graduation party for her son, Max, last year, her theme was his life in pictures.
“The graduation cake was the centerpiece and had his picture on it, and there were little 5-by-7 pictures of Max throughout his entire life on the tables,” she said.
“We had a great picture of Max riding a lawnmower with his grandfather, who had passed away a couple of years earlier,” Scoby said, adding that his grandfather was a big part of Max’s life and it was important to include him.
Since the party — an open house — was a week after Max’s graduation, Scoby also had developed pictures from the graduation ceremony, had them put in an album and had the album on display. She also took many photos at the party.
Decorations were minimal. Scoby said she ordered white and blue balloons, which are Xenia High School’s colors, and found many items at the party supply store near the Mall at Fairfield Commons.
“I was amazed at what you could get there — even mints wrapped in school colors.”
Scoby said she also found a way to keep track of the many gift cards her son was given by buying a huge box, wrapping it and putting a slot at the top.
“Sometimes there’s kids you don’t know coming in and out,” she said. “And everyone knew Max was attending college, so just about everyone gave him money.”
Other parties have themes representing the graduate’s past interests or future plans.
Jenni Phillips, who is in her ninth year as the Brookville High School secretary, said she attends 25 to 30 graduation parties a year.
She said some of her favorite parties have included awards the graduate has earned.
“As far as decorating, I have seen a white Christmas tree with white lights and all of the child’s ribbons or medals they earned,” Phillips said. “And they put trophies on each table, with a balloon on each.”
Phillips said that the family also put paper and markers on the table where people could leave messages.
“Anything that is unique and creative stands out.”
Phillips said she has also seen people have quilts made of their child’s favorite T-shirts throughout high school, including those from band, drama, sports, concerts — whatever was important to them.
“I even saw one dad take his child’s door off the hinges because she had taped pictures all over the back of her bedroom door,” she said. “It was a great point of interest at the party and not much work to do.”
Phillips said she also has seen many PowerPoint presentations (and said the shorter ones are better) and has seen guests sign in on a photo mat that will eventually frame a photo of the graduate.
There are also those who say that parties that serve as roasts of the graduate and those that offer thanks to the many people who helped the graduate along the way are good options.
Whatever the theme, as long as your party reflects the graduate and their achievement, you can’t go wrong.
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12:32 PM, 5/22/2009