Creating a Budget-Friendly Graduation Party!

You want your kids to go out of the 2010 school-year with a bang. They deserve to feel like a million bucks, and you can make that happen within your budget. All you need is a little creativity.

First things first:

Pick a Theme
Graduation Luau
Graduation in Vegas
Graduation Pool Party
Graduation Roast

Maybe your graduate had a favorite movie, sport or band; after all, it's your graduate's day to shine.

About.com has some great resources!

Invitations
After you've set the date and decided if this is a big to-do, or a smaller affair, it's invite time.

• You can find numerous free invitation downloads on the web. In your search engine use the magic words, "free graduation invitations."
• Homemade invitations express a very personal touch.
• Photo invitations are a great way to show off your graduate from day one. Vistaprint is a wonderful site with very reasonable prices. They have hundreds of templates to choose from and they have: invitations, banners, calendars, t-shirts, postcards, car magnets and MORE! You can personalize pretty much anything all on from one website!
• You can always send out e-vites. But if you're anything like my family, only about 1/2 of them are up to speed with this "world wide web" thing.

Decorations
The local dollar store becomes your best friend at this point. I love this place and you can find pretty much everything you're looking for.

• Balloons
  
• Streamers
• Candles
• Candle holders
• Sidewalk chalk
• Party favors
• Seasonal items
  
• Picture frames
• Imitation flowers
• Baskets
• Paper plates, cups and napkins
• Utensils

The list goes on and on. If you go in with an open mind, you can make a fantastic visual for your themed party.

Other budget-minded online resources are: MyPaperShop.com, DiscountPartySupplies, and PartyCity.


Food and Drink
This is probably where you could potentially spend most of your money, but it doesn't have to be that way. Here are a few hints I found that will help cut costs.

• Potluck. Yes! Have family members bring some of their favorite dishes and desserts.
• Stock up early. Look for deals early in advance and freeze what you can: meat, buns, desserts, etc.
• Check out your local discount grocer. When it comes to chips, crackers, soda and the like, (or everything if you'd rather) this is the place to go.
  
• Large vats of beverages. Instead of individual sodas and waters, have pitchers of tea, lemonade, water and/or punch available. Have guests mark names on their cups and you can save!
• Bars! No, not with alcohol, but with food! Dessert bars; have a certain dessert with various toppings. Nacho bar; same deal. Get creative! Stores like Cash n' Carry, Smart and Final, Costco, and Sams Club will carry some pretty unique finds.

Entertainment
It's always fun to set an atmosphere. Whether it's in tune with your theme or not, awkward silence is just that; awkward.

• Music. Whether you've got a radio playin' for all to hear, or your Graduate's friends' band, music is always good. Or, maybe you have a DJ friend to spin some tunes!
• Games. Because people come and go, organized games are hard to accomplish, but having things like: a volleyball net, basketball hoop, bean bag toss, or horseshoes around give guests a fun option they can play at their leisure.
• Singing telegrams could be a fun (and possibly embarrassing) way to bring attention to your Graduate.
• Shop around Craigslist for performers under "gigs."
  
• Donut Junkie. Yes, a shameless plug for what we do. We offer both a dessert (hot, fresh, mini-donuts) and entertainment because you get to watch your donuts being made!

Photographs
Whether your hire a professional, a friend, relative, or shoot pictures yourself, be sure to capture this day.

Craigslist is a great resource for photographers as well.

Enjoy this day! And thanks for visiting us at Donut Junkie.