{"id":8026,"date":"2017-07-14T06:00:52","date_gmt":"2017-07-14T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.elfster.com\/?p=8026"},"modified":"2025-07-30T10:31:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T14:31:53","slug":"graduation-party-planning-checklist-elfsters-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elfster.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/14\/graduation-party-planning-checklist-elfsters-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Graduation Party Planning Checklist: Elfster\u2019s How-To Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Plan to celebrate your 2017 grad | Image courtesy Unsplash user Glenn Carstens-Peters<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I was getting ready to start college back in the 90s (cue lightning and thunderbolts in the background), we didn\u2019t really need much. Bedding and such, of course, but besides that just a couple of packing crates, my books, my Discman, my CD case, and, of course, some decorations to show just how unique and idiosyncratic I was. I think there was an Escher? That blew some minds, man. <\/span><\/p>\n

In some ways, not a lot has changed. College students still need bedding, and still have the need to demonstrate their personality. But there is more necessary in order to compete, to survive, and to thrive these days. College-bound students are entering a very competitive atmosphere with technology that people my age couldn\u2019t have even imagined, and are<\/span> still<\/span><\/i> dealing with the terror-thrills of independence, the fear of failure, and the rush of exploration that makes for a great college experience. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, as we roll through graduation and college preparation season, how should you celebrate that? What kind of party should they have, and what should you give them? What can you gift your graduate, or the grade-school friend from whom you\u2019ll be separated for the first time? What should you give to send someone off without really saying goodbye? Here\u2019s your elfishly insightful graduation party planning checklist and gift guide.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Go-To Graduation Party Planning Checklist<\/h4>\n

So, the first thing you need to do before sending them off to the halls of academia is the graduation party\u2014and we have your planning checklist. Graduation parties are kind of an odd hybrid, both a culmination and a consecration: you\u2019re getting them ready for a voyage and honoring how they got here. So what do you need to make it successful, to honor the past and the future and that winnowing present? <\/span><\/p>\n

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Not pictured: the \u201cBecause You\u2019ll Need It\u201d banner | Image courtesy Etsy seller SoSimpleSoSweet<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cake, obviously. But more. <\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Reserve a venue. <\/b>If you\u2019re going to throw a big party and need to pick a venue, make sure you pick it well in advance. Remember that you aren\u2019t the only one with a graduate (unless you\u2019re from a really, really small town), so your favorite place is probably someone else\u2019s too. Book a few months in advance. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Send out guest invites<\/b>. Make sure you send out the invites far enough in advance. Graduation season and wedding season are at the same time, and coincide with vacation season. And summer TV season, which is really good these days, amiright? Anyway, <\/span>get out the invites<\/span> early. Make sure your friends pick you. <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Choose: music or band? <\/b>How much do you want to go all out on this? If you\u2019re having a big party, make sure you book a band in advance. And, honestly, don\u2019t make it a surprise. Check with the graduate. Don\u2019t just think, \u201cThe kids will love this Nickelback cover band!\u201d You\u2019re on the internet. You know better. <\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Plan for food: <\/b>At the last few parties I\u2019ve been to, I\u2019ve noticed that the catered food came from a friend who was starting a company. Different parties, different friends, different companies. And it was all awesome. There are a lot of startups out there, with people trying their hand at business. And with a lot of the established brands booked, give them a shot. The food I had was great. It\u2019s a perfect mix of supply and demand.<\/span><\/span>\n
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    Of course you need balloons | Image courtesy Etsy seller Paris312party<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n
  5. String up decorations. This is the hard part. You don\u2019t want corny. You don\u2019t just want a few mortarboards lying around. Celebrate who they are, and celebrate who they will be. Try out a few different things. Some of our suggestions include:<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n