graduation party

mostlylost

Any ideas for a graduation party?  small or grand ideas welcome...

Held for an adult guy, in my back yard, for about 40 people. 

School colors are purple and gold.

I am soooo stumped.

DeniseandBrad

ok, here is my two cents worth;

x-mas lights (white) to light up the backyard.

then have purple and gold cupcakes  and have yellow and purple tulip centerpiece with little grad hats for place cards for the guest or BALLOONS...purple and gold balloons or maybe even the purple and gold M&M's with the graduates name on them.

6fsn

I'd probably do purple and yellow centerpieces- flowers or something from a craft store and leave it at that.  Anymore might be more high school than college. 

I guess it sort of depends on age or level of graduation.  For someone over 25 of getting and advanced degree- doctor, lawyer- I'd go a little more high end.  For a bachelor's or master's I'd probably be more casual. 

Paper lanterns, maybe have corn hole or yard golf set up.  For nicer food I'd do a clambake, chicken quarters, shrimp something like that.  Otherwise I'd do burgers and brats.  You can make the burgers as over the top or as simple as you want- beef, turkey, salmon with oodles of toppings. 

northtamarack

6fsn:

I guess it sort of depends on age or level of graduation.  For someone over 25 of getting and advanced degree- doctor, lawyer- I'd go a little more high end.  For a bachelor's or master's I'd probably be more casual.

I usually agree w/ 6fsn, but I respectfully disagree on the above quote.  I think that it depends more on what would be meaningful for the graduate.  They are the ones that did a lot of hard work and they should be celebrated in a way that they feel is right.  For example, I just got a teaching degree (second bs) and threw a total swank dinner party.  I think that you should ask your husband to see if there is anything specific that he wants. 

Other food ideas: gorment pizza's on the gril w/ side salads, build your own kababs w/ assorted sides or simply a spread of heavy apps. 

And don't forget the cake!  :-) 

6fsn

I agree with that too.  I just see my 21 yo "traditional student" BS party different than my brother's MD or my friend's AA as a 40 yo single mom.  KWIM? 

GatorWedsNole

Is it daytime or evening?  If it's at night - lots of tealight candles everywhere.  Super cheap when you buy them in bulk.

I like the idea of purple and gold dessert.  Everything else can be neutral colors if it's simpler: white plates, clear cups, etc.

Also, I think paper lanterns always dress-up a backyard affair.

GL! 

misslauraann

I am helping to plan my own grad party. I am serving a variety of cupcakes for dessert. Then for favors, I plan to have small cupcake boxes where people can take home either their favorite cupcake or try another kind! For centerpieces, right now I am thinking a medium circular vase (low) and placing a solid color ribon around it and layer a patterned ribbon overtop. Then I am going to place balloon strings inside the vases with the metal weights in the bottom of the vase, with the balloons floating up top to create some height. Then fill in the area with my tissue paper of my school colors. It's much cuter than I can describe in words. I found it in a Sandra Less Semi-homemade March/April magazine.

misslauraann

On the food front, right now I am thinking a taco bar with pinwheel sandwiches. I should note that the party is for my master's degree but will be fairly laid back.