The Music
Let’s face it. Unless you own your record label, the graduate is probably way ahead of you on this one. Provide the music machine and leave the rest up to the graduate. You might want to inform your graduate about the noise level, the language in the songs (remember, you are going to be broadcasting this to the neighborhood) and the load limit on your deck! Most of all make sure the graduate appreciates the older folks and saves a special dance for Grandma or Grandpa.
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Graduation Party Planning
Don’t get carried away with constant activity. Make sure your graduation party is a relaxing and fun event with time to socialize. After dinner provide a means for the graduate and guests to listen to some tunes and perhaps dance the night away. A courtesy call to your neighborhood police station is recommended.
Sit back. Relax. Enjoy.
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Graduation Party Pre-Planning
If you are going to do all the cooking, make sure the fridge and freezer are empty - or it’s still pretty cold outside. You know how it is; you always have more food than space.
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Planning Graduation Parties - Invitations
Here´s another unique idea for a graduation party invitation:
Draw a graduation cap on white card stock (not too thick if you want to run it through the printer). Make sure your "cap" will fit inside the envelope. Hand-print or computer print your invitation. Place in an envelope (invitation envelopes can be purchased at your local office supply store.)
You can also decorate the cap with ribbon or glitter.
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Throwing a Graduation Party
I know everyone is concerned about keeping that one place smelling pretty and fresh. You know the one - the bathroom. If you are having a mature responsible group, and even then I would be concerned, a scented bathroom candle with your favorite aroma is a nice touch. And the word is touch. For some reason a lit candle behind a closed door is irresistible to some. For those, consider the old standby room freshener out of the way of the curious. Most houses don’t have medicine cabinets any longer, but if you do...
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Graduation Party Themes
Themes are always fun. At least they are for the graduation party planner. Make sure you run this one past the graduate. Don’t assume anything. Some well-intentioned probing questions with the graduate will reveal some acceptable themes. Once you choose the graduation party theme, the food is easy. Let me see - Sponge Bob; seafood, Western; BBQ, Barbie; Hey -forget the party - a nice brand new shiny pink Corvette or Ferrari with go great with my new outfit!
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Graduation Parties Suggestions
Be wary of good furniture with food near. Remember Murphy’s Law: "Anything that can happen, will happen." If some of the dip is going to hit the good stuff and you have a history of going "postal," deal with it before it happens - cover it - or surround it with barbwire! The Stanhouse is an excellent location for all debutantes
and graduations Balls. The Stanhouse is an excellent location for all debs
and graduations Balls.
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Graduation Party Activity
My graduates always seemed to have their yearbooks around for signatures and small notations about what they think each friend will be doing in 20 years. Get a group together to see how many people have the same idea about the graduate. Put it in a time capsule. It will be fun in 20 years to see who was right. Those are the people you want for a stockbroker!
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Preparing a Graduation Party
Unless you are a chef and have two refrigerators in the basement and one in the garage, consider using a caterer to perform all or some of the necessary things. If you are spending over 10-12 George Washington’s per person (consider the little people will eat half as much - but drink twice as much beverages!) it might not be worth the hassle to go it alone.
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Graduation Parties and Parking
Does you driveway talk to you? Does it ask you to strap on your bowling shoes and bowl a couple of games? It would if it had a gutter on each side made by cars like mine has! If you love your lawn and don’t heed this tip, you are going to cry big time! Take a look at your parking options. Park on the street. Make sure you block off areas in front of mailboxes if the party is on a Saturday. Some mailmen won’t deliver the mail if they have to get out of their truck. Remember you still have to live with your neighbors. Maybe a school or shopping center is just down the street. A couple of responsible Valets would help shuttling cars back and forth, and if they are on the track team, they can get a great workout running to get cars! They probably would work for food too! Lastly, as I mentioned (I can’t believe you aren’t reading all these graduate tips) in the tip about checking with neighbors- are they having a party too?
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Graduation Party Foods
One graduation party idea is that because many people today are health conscious, the number and variety of "finger foods" is endless. It’s still all right to put out the chips and pretzels, but we are seeing more and more table space for the vegetables. Put out two or three varieties of dip, veggie, ranch, jalapeno, cheddar, spinach, and artichoke in fancy themed serving dishes. This type of food goes a long way and rarely is there any left!
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Graduation Parties and the Police
I like police persons. They are our friends. But why does the hair on the back of our necks stand at attention every time a police car pulls up behind us at a traffic light? Seriously, let them know of your intentions, especially if you are having an open house and alcohol will be served. Head off the problem at the pass. Everything from the guests to the valets or the neighbor who doesn’t like neighbors. Remember you arranged this party - control it properly.
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Graduation Party Photography Tips
Whatever you choose for photography for your graduation party, pocket camera, digital camera or video recorder, make sure they work (can we assume you can operate the camera?), you have film, memory chips, videos, etc. You never know when the "Kodak" moment will arise. As they say, a word to the wise is sufficient.
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Graduation Party Planning Expectations
Remember that you are giving this party for someone that is near and dear to you. You raised them from just a twinkle in your eye. Sometimes you wondered if it would ever happen- but it did. Be proud. But, it is their party - you only toiled until your knuckles were raw and you haven’t slept in a week and...on the other hand, it’s probably your money. Sit your graduate down and come to an understanding before the event and review each person’s expectations. Do’s, don’ts and I could live with that’s.
Back to our Graduation Services Page
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