Hosting a Graduation Party in 2024? Take a Look at These Creative Ideas
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Do you have a soon-to-be-grad in your life? Then, you'll need to start planning the ultimate graduation party! We're talking graduation party foods, fun decor, and a crowd-pleasing spring cake to help celebrate all of their accomplishments. It needs to be the best party possible, so to eliminate the stress of having to plan something from scratch, we've helped you out by creating a list of some well-deserved graduation party ideas.
If you're a parent like Ree Drummond who has had 5 kids graduate high school (and a couple graduate college, too!), then you're probably aware that this chapter in life is a pretty big deal. It takes time to think of the perfect graduation gift and even more so for a college graduation gift—but putting your time and effort into a graduation party can really help show off your creativity!
To get you started, you'll want to pick out the party theme. For a personal touch, pay tribute to childhood memories with a sweet photo wreath or a poster featuring cute snapshots of your grad through the years. Create a color palette using your kid’s school colors and shiny gold touches here and there. Round up meaningful graduation quotes to add to centerpieces. And of course, celebrate your grad's academic career with graduation cap decorations, garlands with tassels, and more. No matter what the future holds for your favorite graduate, we've got you covered with some of the best DIY graduation party ideas around!
School Color Themed Balloon Arch
It may be a tale as old as time, but balloon arches are seriously a great way to level up any party! You could incorporate the color palette of your grad's school, while also adding in balloons that state the year of graduation.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Graduation Gift Jar
This clever idea is perfect for gift cards or fun graduation wishes! Just grab a spice jar, some black felt, embroidery floss, and a button to create the mini caps on top of each jar. If your graduation gift is on the larger side, you can also print out a picture of the gift and place it in the jar instead.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
'80s Balloon Backdrop
Make your party old-school with an '80s theme that's shiny and bright. This photo backdrop consists of silver holographic balloons in various shapes, like stars and moons, along with cute floating disco balls.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Graduation Themed Shirts
We love a good pun! Which is why putting a graduation one-liner on a shirt just makes sense. "One degree hotter" is not only creative, but will make your guests chuckle a bit. Plus, the shirt in itself is so darn cute!
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Backyard Games
Assuming the weather is nice, you could get some fun backyard games going! It doesn't really matter which specific games you choose to go with, but you can never go wrong with a classic game of corn hole. This is a fun way to pass the time, and you can also get a little competition going.
Crepe Paper Wrist Corsage
Corsages have a way of making anything look and feel classy. If that's your vibe, then add one into a centerpiece or as a simple table decoration using the colors of your grad's school.
Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith.
Farmhouse Centerpiece
Some people live and breathe farm life, while others may simply appreciate a rustic look. If your grad falls into either category, creating a farmhouse centerpiece is something they'll appreciate. Use wood and metal accents and some cow prints to really seal the deal.
Get the tutorial at Hostess with the Mostest.
'Congrats Grad!' Tote Bag
A cute tote can go a long way, and can make the perfect gift come graduation! You could even use it as a place to hold all of the other gifts your grad receives—just detail the outside of it with something like "Congrats Grad!"
Get the tutorial at That's What Che Said.
'Oh, the Places You'll Go' Theme
Getting a little sentimental here! Anyone who grew up reading the classic Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You'll Go, will smile at this idea. We can see parents everywhere also getting a little choked up.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl.
Graduation Party in a Box
Even those who don't live in close proximity to their loved ones, can still celebrate graduation in a memorable way. Just send them a graduation party... in a box! Fill it with everything you need for a party, like streamers, party hats, and confetti, as well as some personal touches like photos.
Get the tutorial at The Thinking Closet.
Graduation Award Ribbons
Ribbons are sort of symbolic with success—and it goes without saying that graduation is a success worth celebrating! Make some of your own graduation ribbons to help commemorate this achievement.
Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith.
'Set Sail' Boat Balloon Decoration
"Set sail on a bright future" is such a cute way of wishing someone good luck on their next phase of life! Use this saying in your theme by creating a cute boat decoration. It's perfect for a nautical-themed graduation party. Make it by turning a moon balloon on its side!
Get the tutorial at Hostess with the Mostest.
Science-Themed Party
Throwing a party for someone who graduated with a chemistry or biology degree? Honor that by planning a science-themed party! We're talking periodic tables as placemats, test tubes as drinking cups, and a backdrop with scientific equations.
Get the tutorial at Lemon Thistle .
Graduation Cap and Diploma Treat Boxes
Treat boxes may not be the first thing you think about for your graduation party, but a graduation cap and diploma shaped box might be exactly what you need! You can send your guests off with treat boxes full of tasty snacks as a party favor.
Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith.
Graduation Balloon Superlatives
If you know your grad has tons of friends from their graduating class coming, then spruce things up with a yearbook superlative-themed section. You can make it extra cute by attaching photos their friends at the end of a balloon string, and writing a specific superlative for them on the back.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Disney Graduation Theme
Does the grad in your life love all things Disney? Celebrate their transition from Disney kid to Disney adult with a magical Disney graduation party complete with Mickey Mouse accents.
Get the tutorial at Hostess with the Mostest.
Graduation Cap Cookies
These graduation cap cookies will make the perfect addition to your party spread. Use frosting in their school colors for a personal touch.
Get the tutorial at Polkadot Chair.
Graduation Bottle Tags
These cute printable tags will look so festive when paired with celebratory bottles of bubbly or sparkling cider.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou.
School Spirit Keychains
Celebrate your college grad and their friends with these glittery keychains featuring their school logo. They would make great party favors!
Get the tutorial at The Homes I Have Made.
Graduation Candy Board
Celebrate the class of 2o22 with this gorgeous candy board. To replicate this idea, simply place number trays in the center of a round charcuterie board and then fill it with black and gold candy and treats.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin & a Princess.
Candy Bar and Money Lei
A candy bar and money lei might be our favorite kind of lei. What's not to love?! This one is easy to create using plastic wrap and curling ribbon.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Personalized Graduation Cake
For a dessert that's as unique as your graduate, create a tiered cake featuring all of their favorite things and hobbies. Don't forget to spell out congrats in candy letters!
Get the tutorial at Meaningful Mama.
Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers
How cute are these graduation cap cupcake toppers? They're made entirely out of candy, including an upside down peanut butter cup, a chocolate square, and a licorice "tassel."
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Photo Collage
Your little one is all grown up and graduating. Give everyone at the party a glimpse of how far they've come with a decorative collage of photos of your grad through the years.
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
DIY Donut Wall
A DIY donut wall is the perfect festive (and delicious!) focal point for your celebration. All you'll need to make it is a pegboard, milk paint, pegboard hooks, and of course, donuts!
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Shooting Star Piñata
Celebrate your shooting star with a piñata to match! This one doesn't require a stick so you can use it indoors or outdoors.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Clay Pot Graduation Cap
This simple project would make the perfect centerpiece for your snack table. It's made from a painted clay pot, wood square, and a tassel.
Get the tutorial at That's What Che Said.
Pin the Cap on the Graduate
Play a fun game of Pin the Cap on the Graduate with these cute printables and a poster-size print of your grad.
Get the tutorial at Somewhat Simple.
Graduation Candy Buffet
For a "sweet ending to a new beginning," make a candy bar filled with school-themed treats, like class rings (Ring Pops), book worms (Sour Brite Crawlers), smarty pants (Smarties), and honor rolls (Tootsie Rolls).
Get the tutorial at I Heart Naptime.
Graduation Cap Decorations
You can use your Cricut to make these gorgeous graduation cap decorations, or draw the design on yourself. Either way, they're sure to be a hit at the party or even during the graduation ceremony.
Get the tutorial at Polkadot Chair.
Charm Bracelet Lei
Give your graduate something extra fun to wear at their graduation party with this lei inspired by a charm bracelet. You can include their graduating year and cut-outs representing their hobbies and things they love.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Confetti Cones
All that hard work deserves a lot of celebrating. To put everyone in a celebratory mood, you’ll definitely need some confetti! These cones are the perfect confetti holders.
Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.
Graduation Party Sticks
Snap a picture of your graduate in their cap and gown, then turn that photo into these skewers that’ll take center stage at your party. Use them as photo props or drop them into vases of flowers.
Get the tutorial at 17 Apart.
Graduation Party Favor Bags
Make party favors for all of your grad's friends with these cute printable gift tags. They're sure to be a hit at the big celebration!
Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.
Graduation Trophies
For a really cute touch to add to your grad’s party, make the most adorable graduation trophies as centerpieces!
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Graduation Party Plates
How’s this for a why-didn’t-I-think-of-that detail to add to the graduation party? Black paper plates with tassels! They look just like graduation caps.
Get the tutorial at Good in the Simple.
Graduation Banner
To make this graduation banner that’s ideal for a photo backdrop or to hang on a mantel, you’ll need your Silhouette or Cricut maker.
Get the tutorial at Kelly Leigh Creates.
Cookie Party Favors
After such a fun night, your guests should go home with something sweet…like these cookie party favors! You can celebrate the graduate who is one “smart cookie.”
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Graduation Card Box
There’s no doubt that your party guests will all come with cards in hand, so you’ll need a place to keep track of them. Make it easy with this cute DIY card box displaying childhood photos.
Get the tutorial at Angie Holden/The Country Chic Cottage.
Paper Lei
Your grad will say “aloha” to their bright future with this tropical lei. It’s just the thing to dress up their graduation party ensemble.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Graduation Party Backdrop
All that great food at the graduation party should really be spotlighted with an eye-catching backdrop! All you need are colorful streamers and balloons with their graduating year.
Get the tutorial at A Wonderful Thought.
Memory Wreath
Wasn't it just yesterday that you dropped your little one off at kindergarten? Show off all those wonderful childhood memories with this photo wreath to be displayed at the party.
Get the tutorial at DIY Beautify.
Graduation Cap Rolo Favors
Rolos are pretty great on their own, but Rolos made to look like tiny graduation caps? Even better!
Get the tutorial at Made to Be a Momma.
Mini Money Caps
If your grad is heading off to their first apartment and their first taste of “real” bills, send them off with these delightful origami money graduation caps.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.
Mini Grad Bouquets
Gift some flowers to the guest of honor with a bouquet bedecked in tons of “Congrats!”
Get the tutorial at Oleander + Palm.
Gold Vase
Gold just seems like the perfect hue to include in a graduation party color palette. Make a handful of these vases and decorate each table.
Get the tutorial at Kristi Murphy.
Graduation Balloon Tassel
Incorporate the classic graduation cap tassel by attaching one to a giant balloon along with the graduating year.
Get the tutorial at Tikkido.
Paper Rosettes
Whether your child is graduating from high school or college, paper rosettes will be a great cupcake topper.
Get the tutorial at Amber Oliver.
Confetti Money Poppers
Rainbow confetti and some pocket cash? Your grad is going to love these money poppers!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Tassel Garland
Black and white are certainly the traditional colors associated with graduation day. This black-and-white tassel garland is made with plastic tablecloths!Get the tutorial at Sincerely, Sara D.
Photo Vases
With photos attached to skewers and sprigs of baby's breath, you can create centerpieces for the graduation party that are sure to be memorable.
Get the tutorial at Angie Holden/The Country Chic Cottage.
“Shine Bright” Party Favors
Send your guests home with one-of-a-kind favors, like these “shine bright” light bulb favors that are so clever.
Get the tutorial at Julie Measures.
Diploma Napkin Wraps
Even the napkins can get the graduation party treatment! Using mini diplomas and ribbon, you can easily dress up the silverware rollups for the party.
Get the tutorial at Big Dot of Happiness.
Graduation Advice Tree
Here’s a sentimental accent you can add to the party. Display gold spray-painted branches in a vase, set out some paper and pens, and ask guests to share their best pieces of advice for the graduate, which will be hung from the tree using mini clothespins.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Graduation Cap Cupcake Stand
Cupcakes at a graduation party are a must-have. When they’re presented on a graduation cap-styled stand with school colors, they look even better.
Get the tutorial at Creatively Beth.
Confetti Balloons
Throwing confetti at any party is always a blast, but for your grad, level up the confetti by dropping some into balloons! They’ll make your party look even more festive.
Get the tutorial at JMS Entertaining.
Graduation Cap Bottle Toppers
To add a little something to bottles of juice at the party, include these graduation cap toppers.
Get the tutorial at Celebrations at Home.
Graduation Cap Messages
Your grad may want to include a funny message on their graduation cap, which you can DIY using this tutorial. Make a few of your own and display them later at the party as fun décor.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Money Graduation Cap
Who knew that you could make a graduation cap out of paper money? It’ll help your graduate pay their first month of rent!
Get the tutorial at Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss.
Graduation Year Garland
For a simple and thoughtful touch, showcase your child’s graduation year by crafting this garland with numbers in gold glitter card stock.
Get the tutorial at Kristi Murphy.
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