If you have a graduating student, you should throw them an unforgettable party to celebrate all they’ve achieved, both personally and academically. And everyone knows that the best grad parties always happen outside. That’s why we’ve put together this short list of tips to help you plan the ultimate celebration for your graduating child!
Plan the Menu
Planning on a fabulous menu ahead of the festivities is one of our essential tips for an outdoor graduation party. After all, no outdoor party is complete without a killer menu to feed and energize your guests. The best part about this is that you can go with whatever foods you like. But if you need a few pointers, we have a couple of helpful ones below:
Making it about your graduating kid: You’re celebrating your kid, so when you plan out your entrees and apps, think about their favorite dishes and add them to the menu!
Hot foods for the summer: Most graduations will happen in warm weather. So we suggest going with refreshing dishes like chips and guac, fruits and veggies, and pasta salad.
Delectable desserts: Add a couple of congratulatory cupcakes, cookies, and pastries to your party menu. After all, desserts are always a plus at any shindig!
Set the Stage
Of course, having the tastiest foods is only part of the equation. If you want your graduation party to be perfect, you need to set the stage. In other words, you’re going to need to make your outdoor areas look fantastic to wow your guests. You can do this in various ways.
For instance, you could spruce up your garden beds and maybe install a small fountain or pond. You might also consider stocking it with lots of pool toys for your guests if you have a pool. But if you ask us, nothing beats a great seating area that shelters your guests from the sun.
We know what you’re thinking—how can you possibly set up a cabana-style seating area without a structure? We’d say renting a graduation tent in PA and surrounding states through Tents for Rent is an excellent place to start. You can use our tents to set up the perfect seating and snack areas, even keeping them cool with fans.
Roll Out the Décor
Dressing things up with the right décor is another essential tip for an outdoor graduation party. Once you get your graduation party tent and pool toys set up, it’s time to start decorating! Again, this party is a celebration of your kid’s achievements.
So having “Congrats, grad!” on plates and banners is a great start. But if you want to up the ante, consider arranging a display of pictures and anything else that showcases your graduating student’s academic career and achievements in your outdoor space.
You could also consider the extracurriculars your kid enjoys and incorporate them into your décor. However you do it, ensure that your decorations are eye-catching and representative of the person you’re all there to celebrate!
Curate a Playlist
Of course, no outdoor party is complete without a rocking playlist to elevate the energy and keep guests entertained. And just like everything else in this guide, you want to ensure that you center your playlist around tunes that your kid would appreciate. For instance, if they love hip hop, make sure the songs that you choose indicate that.
If they’re more of a fan of indie or folk music, then you should select songs you know they’ll enjoy. Plus, it’ll ensure that the energy you create at the party is representative of them.