Graduation Theme Party Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

In the article, Inexpensive Graduation Party Ideas, suggestions were made for hosting a beautiful and memorable graduation party without spending a fortune. Here are some new ideas to consider in addition to the ones already mentioned in that article.

Viva Italia!
Italian food is a delicious, affordable option for a graduation party. There is the super-simple, “heat an eat”-option of lasagna, salad, bread and iced tea. Most grocery stores carry a large lasagna by Stouffer’s in the frozen food section (some offer their own store brand as well), and whole kits of Caesar salad can be purchased in the produce section for a few dollars each. Add to this some freshly baked bread from the store bakery, and the meal is nearly complete for around $20.00 to feed up to a dozen people. To this, add a graduation cake, either homemade or from the store bakery, and decorate the main table with a simple graduation centerpiece, found at a general merchandise store or a discount party supply store like Party City. Don’t forget graduation napkins to commemorate the occasion.
Another deliciously affordable Italian option is a spaghetti dinner. Instead of using the “heat and eat” lasagna, prepare several boxes of spaghetti noodles and prepare a good sauce. If you normally use sauce from a jar, a special occasion might merit finding a new, authentic recipe to make from scratch. Meatballs or a delicious Italian sausage would nicely accompany the sauce, and of course, don’t forget the parmesan!

I declare! It’s a Southern reception…
…just like Mama used to have! The traditional Southern reception is a simple, affordable celebration that is a wonderful way to celebrate the new graduate with food that can be prepared in advance.
The consistent elements in a Southern reception include cake and punch. Everything else is considered an “extra”. The majority of the celebration budget should go for the purchase or making of the most delicious, beautiful cake commemorating the graduation that is available, and for a tasty party punch that people will actually drink and enjoy. Simple fruit punch is often enhanced with an ice ring full of fruit bits, which is both lovely and easy to make, but another option that is always a hit is a summer sherbet punch. To make, simply place a quart of orange, lime and lemon sherbet in a punch bowl and cover with a few 2-liter bottles of lemon-lime soda. This makes a giant soda float that is fruity and refreshing yet decadent. Additional foods that would enhance the reception include finger sandwiches (often filled with cucumber or tomato), deviled eggs, tiny ham biscuits and perhaps a plate of cookies.

It’s a Jungle (or a pirate ship, or an obstacle course) out there!
How about that for a graduation putt-putt event! Almost everyone in a family, whether young or old, can pick up a putter and enjoy a rousing round of miniature golf. The cost runs about $5-10 per person (call ahead and ask about group discounts), and most courses have a snack bar or restaurant where a cake could be waiting for the graduate (perhaps an ice cream cake to cool off with!) at the conclusion of the round of golf. The family excursion for mini-golf after a graduation ceremony may be a bit unconventional, but it is guaranteed to be memorable! Also, many new high school graduates are bombarded with so many messages about “going out on your own,” and “becoming independent,” that doing something fun and silly as a family is a great way to reinforce the bond with the people that love them that can remain regardless of where life takes them.