14+ Grad Party Decorating Tips
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Planning a grad party can be both exciting and overwhelming. With so much to consider—decorations, food, and entertainment—it's easy to get lost in the details. However, with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can decorate the celebration like a pro to honor the graduate's achievements without exceeding your budget. Whether new to party planning or a seasoned expert, you will find practical tips, tricks, and reminders for decorating your graduation party here!
#1. Use Fake Flowers
If flowers are essential to your graduation party's decorations, you may have considered using fresh ones. While fresh flowers can have a lovely scent, they come with many potential issues. They must be purchased close to the event date, require proper care, and be kept in water or soil to maintain their appearance. Alternatively, you can get artificial flowers well in advance and store them without any risk of wilting. They can also be easily incorporated into the party décor without needing a vase or pot.
Another major advantage of choosing artificial flowers over real ones is that you can keep them for future events, crafts, or home décor!
#2. Stock Up on Double Sided Adhesives
Double-sided tape and glue dots will quickly become your new best friends. These relatively inexpensive tools can be found at most major supermarkets and online. They make it easy to hang lightweight items such as balloons, streamers, and paper decorations. Although they may not adhere to every surface, double-sided tapes are very handy for sticking light items to walls, tents, and tables.
#3. Make DIY Centerpieces
No doubt, graduation party centerpieces are one of the most crucial aspects of your party decor. There are thousands of different ideas for centerpieces, which can be purchased, made, or a combination of the two. While buying pre-made centerpieces is a convenient option, it often means missing out on a chance to add a personal touch. Explore various options and select something simple yet impactful. In particular, photo centerpieces help create a warm and memorable atmosphere!
#4. Utilize Wooden Pallets
Wooden pallets have become popular for decorating various events, including graduation parties. Their versatility makes them ideal for creating displays like photo boards and donut walls or for making structures. You can find pallets at local industrial sites or online sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, often for free. With a touch of creativity, pallets can be transformed with paint and embellishments, serving as eye-catching focal points that enhance the overall décor of your event!
#5. See What Decorations You Already Have
Chances are, you have a box of party supplies and/or old housewares stashed away somewhere. Before buying anything, take some time to sift through your old party and household decorations to see what you can repurpose for your upcoming event. Items like balloons, streamers, vases, picture frames, and baskets can be very useful. Reusing these decorations can save you money, time, and the hassle of searching for new party supplies you may already have!
#6. Stock Up on Tablecloths
Other than protecting and covering tables, tablecloths can be hung to make awesome backdrops and can add some needed color to otherwise mundane areas of the party. They can also be used to create makeshift walls and hide areas (like that corner of your garage you didn't have time to clean).
Tablecloths can be found anywhere, but we recommend starting at the dollar store and getting many different colors. Any extras you pick up can always be returned or saved for future events!
#7. Decorate with Balloons
What's a party without balloons? They are perfect for filling large spaces, allowing you to create an impressive atmosphere with minimal effort. Balloons should be distributed throughout the party to enhance cohesion and should complement the party's theme, such as school colors, sports, or travel. With balloon kits, creating wreaths, arches, and other types of balloon art is easy and affordable. Just be sure to get an air pump to inflate all those balloons!
#8. Save Your Jars and Containers
You can reuse jars and various containers to create beautiful decorations and serve as holders for a wide range of party supplies. Start by cleaning the containers, jars, and small boxes, and remove any labels. Once they are ready, you can use them to make DIY decorations, such as centerpieces for graduation parties, vases, or decorative lights. Additionally, these containers can be excellent organizers for party essentials like cutlery, straws, and sparklers!
To help remove the labels, fill the jar with hot water. Let sit for a couple of minutes, after which the label and glue should be a breeze to remove. If some residue is still left, hit it with some Goo Gone!
#9. Add Boxes and Books Under Tablecloths
A great way to give your party a professionally decorated look is to use smaller boxes and books on tables to create varying heights. Cover these with a tablecloth to create elegant pedestals for your items. This technique adds sophistication to the graduate's table, food tables, and dessert bars. Just ensure that the stacks are sturdy enough- especially on food tables!
#10. Keep Heavy Duty Twine, Rope, or Fishing Line On Hand
You will probably need to hang some decorations. Things like backdrops, lights, and those pretty paper lanterns will all need to go up. These can be difficult to hang if you do not get the right supplies. We recommend finding a twine or rope in a color that goes with the party's theme or using fishing line for a floating effect. Whatever you choose to use, be sure it is heavy-duty. That way, things can be hung well in advance without worry.
Bonus Tip: Yarn is a very good option for hanging and tying decorations, as it is inexpensive and durable. It can be found in the craft section at most supermarkets or dollar stores and comes in so many different colors.
#11. Set Up a 'Graduate Table'
A Graduate Table highlights your teen's accomplishments, interests, and goals, so it should be decorated to reflect these elements. Traditionally, this is where guests leave gifts, sign the guestbook (or an equivalent), and share their wisdom or well wishes. Making this table the party's focal point allows you to keep the other decorations simple. Additionally, the graduate table can guide the color scheme and theme of all your party's decorations!
#12. Consider a Photo Area
A photo area is an excellent way for guests to snap some pics. They can be created in various ways, ranging from simple to elaborate. A simple way is to hang a few tablecloths and layering on some balloons and garland. Or, full 'booths' equipped with cut-outs and props can be set up, complete with pallet walls. To ensure you capture all the memories, display a sign with a social media hashtag for guests to use. You can also add your email address or phone number so partygoers can send their photos directly to you.
Here's a fun idea: have a Polaroid or other instant print camera by the booth. Set up a pallet with twine or rope and clothespins for guests to hang their snapshots!
#13. Have Fun with Signs
Along with being informative, signs can add another element to your grad party's decor! Stick to your theme by selecting colors and fonts that match. Signage is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your personality, so feel free to get creative with the phrases you use. To enhance the overall presentation, consider finding or making frames for each sign, giving your party a polished finish.
#14. Get the Graduate Involved
This party is hosted to celebrate the graduate(s), so it's important to involve them in the planning process. Encourage them to help with things like choosing pictures for a photo board and picking songs for the playlist. While you may need to make the final decisions, getting their input will help reduce some of your party planning stress. It also gives the graduate a sense of pride and ownership over the celebration!
Organizing an unforgettable graduation party doesn't have to be a daunting task. By embracing your creativity and utilizing practical and budget-friendly decorating ideas, you can create an atmosphere that celebrates the graduate's achievements in style. From choosing artificial flowers and crafting DIY centerpieces to repurposing everyday items and exploring local resources, every detail contributes to a memorable experience. Remember to have fun throughout the planning process and take inspiration from the graduate's personality and interests. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to hosting a fantastic celebration that honors this important milestone!
