Bible/Advice/Resources
By Summer Lane
Photo: Deposit
Graduation season is upon us! That special someone in your life who has worked so hard to finish their academic journey strong deserves to be celebrated, and whether it’s a kindergarten graduation or a college degree, every achievement is worth heralding!
There’s just something so FUN about a graduation party. Families and friends gather to celebrate the accomplished students, young or old, and it’s a human milestone that reminds us that hard work and dedication to a goal are good and healthy things. Amid this graduation season, it may seem overwhelming to set up a graduation party, but don’t worry! Throwing a graduation party isn’t about keeping up with the Joneses or making it the most expensive celebration in the neighborhood – it’s about celebrating your student’s heart and their hard work, and what better way to do that than to spend time with the people who love them most?
Backyard BBQ Bash
When my brother graduated from high school, we organized a simple backyard barbecue party. It was fun, it was easy, and it was affordable! All you need are some hamburgers, hot dogs, condiments, and chips! Throw in a couple of liters of soda and you’re good to go! We set up tables in the backyard and grabbed throwaway tablecloths. I carefully created a graduation collage of his moments throughout his childhood and high school years, and decorated a small table, arranged with a basket, so that guests could leave cards or gifts.
It was a very easy but very FUN and classy way to celebrate his special milestone with friends and family. You could even add touches of decor like string lights, floral centerpieces, and balloon garlands to fill in the gaps. And if you don’t want to do all the cooking, have friends or family members bring a dish or two to pitch in!
Park Picnic Fun
Another option is to reserve or stake out a spot at a nice, local park with a covered pavilion. Let the kids play on the playground and you can barbecue at the park or bring a stack of pizzas. Tote along games like frisbee, cornhole, soccer, and Nerf tag for everyone to have a little fun, and don’t forget to bring refreshing, cold drinks in the ice chest! Some of the best parties I’ve ever been to have been ones at the park. So much fun and so easy!
Dessert Bar
To make things even easier, consider the idea of hosting a Graduation Dessert Bar instead of a full dinner. You could use an array of homemade sweets or ask every guest to bring something to share. You could even grab a few sheet cakes from a place like Costco and dole them out to guests as needed. Pair the sweets with lemonade, sparkling water, or iced tea, and you’re all set!
Nerf Battle
This is a fun idea that a friend of mine pulled off for her boyfriend’s birthday party – and it would be GREAT for a graduation party for a boy or even an adventurous girl! Hold an all-out Nerf battle with vests, inflatable obstacles, and referees. With a little research, you can probably find a local party coordinator who specializes in setting up these kinds of Nerf games (like my friend did with hers), and it will be an unforgettable afternoon of fun and competition!
Backyard Movie Night
One of the coolest ideas I’ve seen for a backyard party – for all ages – is to have a movie night! If you have the budget, invest in a projector along with a screen and stream your grad’s favorite movie. Set up a popcorn/sweets bar and invite guests to bring their own chairs, pillows, and blankets. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, consider filling small goody-bags with mementos to remember the graduate’s favorite movie – and milestone – by! You won’t regret it!
The Best Gift
Throwing a graduation party doesn’t have to be expensive. You can adjust any idea to fit your individual needs, and you can make each party as big or as small as you want! These are some of my favorite low-key party ideas, and I hope they get your creative juices flowing!
Remember this, the best gift is the love you have for your graduate, and how you show that love every day.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34
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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and editor who is covering the White House and Trump administration. She owns Write Revolution News.
Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.
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