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This post is all about what NOT to do at your graduation party.
Take it from me, I know how exciting it is to plan your graduation party, BUT I also know how easy it is to go overboard with buying and planning.
Here are the top ten things I would NOT do at your graduation party that will save you from wasting time and money.
This post is all about what NOT to do at your graduation party.
WHAT NOT TO DO AT YOUR GRADUATION PARTY:
1. Don't Make / Order Too Much Food
This is probably my number one suggestion when planning your graduation party. It is super easy to overestimate the food people will eat when they are at your party.
The truth is, graduation party season is usually a period of 2-3 weeks and everyone will be having their party around the same time. Most of the time your friends will have 2 or 3 other parties to attend that same day and they won't eat a lot at every party!
I made less food than I initially planned and still had TONS of leftovers. Make sure you aren't ordering or making too much food or it will go to waste in the end.
{RELATED POST: Best Graduation Party Food Ideas | 22 Delicious Graduation Party Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love}
2. Don't Have Your Party The Same Day As Your Graduation Ceremony
I know a few people who had their graduation party the same day as graduation and it ended up being a total bust because no one was able to come. Families usually plan on going out to eat or have other plans the day of the graduation ceremony so they will be too busy to go to your graduation party.
I would recommend having your party either before or after the weekend of the ceremony to ensure people can come!
3. Don't Have Your Party Alone
Of course this is totally optional but I found that having a joint graduation party with friends is a lot more fun and helps people out because they can celebrate you all at one party!
Like I said before, there are tons of graduation parties all at once so combining your friends' parties into one makes it a lot easier for everyone. It is also so much more fun to have a big party with all your friends.
This also cuts the cost down a TON because you are splitting it with multiple people instead of just you.
I would definitely say 3-4 people to a party is a great way to go. Any more than that and it can be stressful trying to get everyone to agree on decorations, food, etc!
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4. Don't Forget To Have Music Playing Or A DJ
This one is sort of a given but music can make the party a lot more fun! No one likes quiet parties. I had some friends that had an entire dance floor with a DJ and even the parents were having a blast!
A DJ is also a great idea for a later graduation party into the nighttime. It makes the party last longer and a lot of the time friends and family will come back from other parties to celebrate you even longer.
5. Don't Forget To Take Lots Of Pictures
Your high school graduation party is a pretty big deal so definitely don't forget to take tons of pics!
There are tons of cute ways to set up a great photo booth at your graduation party and you can even create your own hashtag for the event! It will be so fun to look back on all the pictures you and your guests took.
**This is one thing I messed up on! I was fully into the party (which is a good thing) but I barely got any pictures. I am a memory catcher so I'm still sad I don't have more to look back on.
{RELATED POST: The Secret To Throwing A Graduation Party People Will Remember}
6. Don't Only Have Sweets / Chips For Food
Of course it is totally fine to have chips, candy, and dessert at your graduation party, but don't forget to also have healthy options that will fill your guests up!
Casseroles, pizza, fruit, and sandwiches are all great options that are a little more substantial than just potato chips.
7. Don't Forget To Have A Place To Put Gifts And Cards
Having a place to set cards and gifts and to write tips or advice for your future was so many guest's favorite thing at my graduation party!
Family and friends will love to write down their favorite piece of advice so make sure to have a place for them to do that.
{RELATED POST: 52 Best Graduation Party Ideas Guaranteed To Impress}
8. Don't Pick An Overused / Boring Theme
I have so many posts on original and fun graduation party themes! Don't pick one that has been used a million times and make sure the theme you pick fits YOUR personality.
Party decorations are one of the best parts of planning your graduation party so don't stress and have fun with it!
{RELATED POST: 21 Best Graduation Party Themes To Use This Year}
9. Don't Forget To Make Invitations Early Enough
When planning your graduation party, make sure you don't forget invitations, and remember to send them out early enough! Having a physical invitation is more thoughtful than just sending an invite VIA Facebook or text.
These are also super fun to design and relatively cheap. Plan on ordering at least 15 additional invitations so you can give them out if you forget a guest (which is bound to happen lol).
10. Don't Forget To Write Thank You Notes
Lastly, don't forget to write thank you cards to guests!
Like I said before, graduation season is a busy time for everyone so you want to make sure your guests know you appreciate them taking the time to come to your party. Make sure to keep a list of all the gifts/cards you received and who they were from so that you can make sure to thank them for it in your personal thank you card.
This post was all about what NOT to do at your graduation party.
