Throw a Smart Graduation Party

Study up on some creative ideas for hosting a graduation party.

Related To:

Mortarboard Cap with Tassel and Dipoloma

Mortarboard Cap with Tassel and Dipoloma

Professional party planners Mary Anderson and Ginger Venable offer ideas for hosting a graduation party.

  • Have an old class photo enlarged to jumbo size, and hang it up as a poster. The guests will enjoy seeing themselves, and it makes a great keepsake.
  • Make a tribute board with lots of fun photos from the life of the graduate. Make it colorful with bright paper and stickers.
  • Decorate a mailbox and use as a centerpiece. Guests can put their cards in it, which will keep them all together and safe.
  • Create custom frames with puff paint or stickers. It's great for displaying a senior photo, the graduation announcement or invitation to the party. Make several of them to give away as gifts to the friends of the graduate.
  • Make festive centerpieces by painting or wrapping flowerpots in colorful wraps. Add some fresh potted flowers and personalize them with baby photos attached to garden picks.
  • Chocolate mortarboard treats would be fabulous for the buffet table. Assemble the mortarboards using miniature peanut butter cups, chocolate bars, peanut butter and fruit rolls. Adhere a chocolate square to an inverted peanut butter up with a little peanut butter. Cut out a fruit roll and make a tiny tassel.
  • Fill a gift basket with items the graduate might overlook. Include a camera with extra film and batteries, a distress sign for the car and pens and stationery for writing thank-you notes. Include some stamps for the notes.
  • String up a clothesline and fill it with sports jerseys that the graduate has worn throughout his or her career.

Don't forget to place a big sign in the yard so guests can easily find the house.

Next Up

How to Throw a Gotcha Party for Your Dog

Celebrate the day you adopted your fur kid with the perfect puppy party.

The Best Party Games for Adults

Rev up the friendly competition with games designed specifically for grown-ups. We have your next party planned with an epic game night.

100+ Printable (and Free!) Halloween Templates

From printable party invitations to cute cupcake toppers, boo basket embellishments and party favors plus pumpkin-carving templates and indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, we've got everything you need to frighten up some fun this Halloween. All you need is a printer!

Easy Party Food Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

You don't have to tap into your savings to throw a great party. Try our tasty recommendations for easy (and cheap!) party recipes.

12 Things to Include in Your Wedding Welcome Bags

Welcome out-of-town guests to your wedding festivities with a thoughtful bag brimming with everything they need for the weekend ahead.

Halloween Party Recipes: Witches' Teeth and Custard Cups

Full of fall flavors, these treats are scary good!

This Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Guide Is All You Need for Summer

Host the best outdoor parties ever with our outdoor entertaining guide featuring Walmart's huge selection of summer finds.

Arugula Salad With Homemade Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

Round out your springtime brunch with the ultimate light side: a garden-fresh, leafy green salad. Arugula and watercress are ideal for this healthy recipe as both are cool-weather crops harvested in spring, with a crisp, peppery flavor. Fresh orange slices, tart strawberries and sweet blueberries scattered on top harmonize well with the from-scratch orange-poppy seed vinaigrette. Sprinkle on blue cheese crumbles for a savory, creamy note.

A Vegetarian Can Be a Good Host. Really.

It can seem hard to host a plant-based meal. It isn't.

The Ultimate Vegetarian Cheese Board

Move over, charcuterie. This superabundant vegetarian cheese board is so hearty and satisfying that you won’t even miss the meat. Tender baby carrots, snap peas and other favorite spring produce calls for lighter tasting cheeses with fragrant floral, fruity and citrusy flavors. Use our selected cheeses as a guide to build your board, and add on your favorite varieties. Paired with the right other ingredients, you’ll assemble an unforgettable spread.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.