After thirteen years of being in school, I'm finally graduating from college. My husband and I just got married, so we can't really afford to throw a graduation party. However, if I can come up with an inexpensive site to have the party and inexpensive food, then maybe we could have a graduation party. I graduate in less than a month and a half, so prompt suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Tina
Answers:
Party at the Park
What if you were to have it at a park? You can usually reserve shelters at parks for free, and they have tables, grills, etc. Turn the party into a potluck. You could supply burgers, and fixings, and perhaps something to drink. I don't know whether it is legal to have alcohol in parks, but you could probably get a half a keg fairly cheaply. Have everyone else bring something.
Create a signup sheet so that everyone is aware of what everyone else is bringing. That would involve your friends, and spare you some of the expense. If that doesn't work, what about having Pizza. Lots of places have party packages, and a deal like that would be ideal! Pizza and beer could be a lot of fun, and quite informal! Congratulations!
Post by Susan K. Beal
Community Center
You deserve a graduation party! By all means, have a party, and invite everyone who cares about you. I agree that the park is a great location. Or, check out your local senior center or social center. They often have low rental fees. In this case, there's nothing wrong with asking friends to bring a covered dish. And, if you know someone who makes a dynamite recipe, ask them to bring enough for the whole crowd, as a graduation gift. Play a few games, bring your boombox and dance, or just kick back and relax. It's the people that make the fun!
Post by Patti (Guest Post)
Open House
have an open house at your home. Stagger the times that guests are invited if you want to invite more people than can comfortably fit in your home. (i.e. 2-4, 4-6,). Then have a dessert buffet that is inexpensive to set up and is easy to keep fresh looking for the whole party. have a friend help you out with each "shift" of the party to mind the food table and pick up plates from around the home. You will be able to focus on conversation and celebrating your big day. i can send you a detailed plan for food and decorations if you wish. One hint on the buffet table, cover boxes in paper to create a space of varied height for the desserts. My best, Tim.
Post by tim (Guest Post)
Rec Room
If you or any of your friends live in an apartment or condo with a rec room, these are usually free for tenants/owners and just a deposit for a cleaning fee. If you leave it clean you get your money back. Do the party as a potluck, anyone close enough to you that wants to come probably won't mind bringing food. Supply soft drinks, coffee or punch and if alcohol is allowed, BYOB.
Post by Linda (Guest Post)
Potluck Celebration
Congratulations!! I don't know why you couldn't ask your pals and family members to have a potluck celebration party. Everyone loves a party and most of the time don't mind bringing a covered dish to share with others. If all brought their own drinks would be better, too, as it wouldn't land all on one person's wallet furnishing drinks for all.
You could furnish some sandwich spreads (ex: pimento cheese, tuna salad, ham salad) buy some bread, buns or rolls. You could go ahead and make up the sandwiches or have it where everyone could make their own. Maybe a plate of pickles, sliced tomatoes, sliced onions, lettuce to accompany the sandwiches or sandwich materials.
Also, if you happened to know of a family member or someone who's good at making cakes. If they'd like to make one for your graduation as their gift to you, use this at your party. As far as a location, I liked the ideas about the parks. Find one that has a covered picnic area, just in case of a surprise rain shower. Best of Luck! Sounds like fun!
Post by badwater
BBQ at the Park
Congratulations, I know it's been hard work. As many others have said, if you live in a warm climate a BBQ in the park is a great one. Also, your church could have a room that might be big enough. Have a great day.
Post by Rose Mary (Guest Post)
Dollar Tree Ideas
Love those Dollar Tree stores! Last year my daughter graduated and she had about 9 other girls who had been the best of friends since kindergarten. I planned a big party after graduation and included them in it and their families. That was part of my gift to them. I went to the Dollar Tree and found the sweetest little books for graduates and also a little charm with a cap and tassel. Did a special table for the graduates and set the special little gifts at each persons place. By the way I wrote a little message inside to each one. It's not the value of the gift but the thought behind it.
Post by Sharon, KY
Cookout at a Local Park
I'm going to be graduating as well this year, but from high school and I was thinking about you needing help. Well, you could have the party at a local park and just have somewhat of a cook out, if you wanted to you could tell everyone on the invitations (which could be made on the computer to save money) that they should bring one dish of choice. I don't know if you like any of these, but thought I would help!
Post by Amanda (Guest Post)
Journal or Address Book
Perhaps a writing journal or pretty address book to keep track of friends who are going their separate ways?
Post by Liz (Guest Post)
Shipwreck Theme
I had a graduation party. I just graduated college and came back home (Read: I have no money or job). My parents were nice enough to let me use their backyard. We didn't have a tent, so I found 4 tarps in the garage and sewed them together on the sewing machine. Using old poles (an assorted mixture of metal and wood) and rope the tent was erected.
This made me think of the whole shipwrecked theme. So I found some sand and sprinkled that around almost everywhere (not near the food though). I found an old kiddy pool from when I was younger and filled that with ice and cans of pop. I found old xmas lights for lighting.
The decorations I made myself using construction paper and paint to make crabs, lobsters, and fish and hung them from the top of the tarp tent. I had to buy the fishing net (cost me all of $4.50) to hang around. Most stuff I borrowed, the tiki torches, coolers, etc.
I also made a sign in book for everyone to sign something to me. For this I actually found a unused kinda thrifty looking scrapbook at a yard sale. I just opened it up and gave them a marker. I also did a collage of various scanned pictures of me growing up which included my graduation pictures and gave that to my parents after the party.
The food was cook out style and all the salads (you know potato, coleslaw, etc..) was homemade. I also had a bond fire and we all slept around it camp style. All in all it was a great and cheap night! I hope this helps, although horribly belated.
Post by Monique (Guest Post)
Thank You
thank you for the ideas they were good ones and from each one I benefitted from them. thanks again!
Post by Gayle Smith (Guest Post)
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