A Not-so-Kiddie Party -
Planning a Graduation  Party

by Arlena Venture

How quickly they grow!

It seems like just five minutes ago since  they were leaving pre-school and now they are making the journey from  college into the big wide world, having survived the in-between stages  of elementary and high school with all its trials and tribulations.  However, regardless of which junction in life they have reached, it goes without saying that a graduation party is a must in order to celebrate  the hard work they have put in to get where they are today.

  As a rule, planning for a graduation party is pretty much the same as  the preparations you would make for any other kind of party, with  particular attention being paid to whom exactly to invite to the event.  This is an easy task when the child is young but as he or she gets a  little older, it's best to involve them in this part of the party  planning. Of course, this may not be possible if you are planning the  party as a surprise and you may need to call upon the assistance of  others to help you out. Let's face it; you don't want to omit anyone  important from the guest list so asking around school friends is always a good idea too.

The other advantage of enlisting the help of a school  friend is that fact that they are likely to know who not to invite to  the celebrations. If the person you are holding the party for is  married, the spouse or a member of their family may be able to help you put together a guest list. It is also worth considering leisure  activities the guest of honor is involved with such as clubs or hobbies. When your guest list has been formulated, its time to get the  invitations sent out to those concerned. Once again, if the party is a  secret, then make sure it stays that way by mentioning this on the  invitation. Hopefully your plans will not get leaked out to the guest of honor and the event will remain a surprise right up until the time it  takes place.

As far as decorations go, there are so many options open to you to  choose from when planning a graduation party many of which are  specifically designed for this kind of festivity. Using the school  colors is a great idea and you could have a cake made in the shape of  the year of the graduation. As an alternative, you may wish to opt for a relevant theme for the graduation party - something like a flash back  party or a masquerade ball always guarantees good fun. 

The thought of no more teachers, no more school or college rules and  best of all no more tests will allow your graduate to put all the  pressures and stresses behind them. So, help them on their way by giving them a party to remember as they move forward into the next exciting  and interesting chapter of their lives.

About the Author

Arlena Venture has been planning and hosting parties for many  years now. She is also the author of a book entitled "Creating the  Perfect Party." For more articles and to find out more about planning a  dinner party, visit her website now at www.party-planning-time.com.