How to Throw the Ultimate Budget Graduation Party
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So youโve got a grad in the family and itโs time to celebrate. First, toss those caps in the air! Throwing a budget graduation party is the perfect way to honor your graduate without breaking the bank.ย
Weโll dive into how to throw a graduation party that everyoneโs excited about, including your wallet. With a few money-saving tips, you can host an unforgettable bash without smashing your piggy bank to pieces.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Throwing a Graduation Party on a Budget
Graduation parties on a budget donโt have to feel cheap. In fact, itโs quite simple to celebrate a hard-earned diploma or degree without spending too much.
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These quick-and-easy graduation party planning steps ensure that your big party doesnโt fall flat. Weโll cover:
- Planning a graduation party on a budget
- Party types and which one is right for you
- Selecting a venue
- Money-saving invites
- Choosing food and drinks
1. How to set a Budget for a Graduation Party
The toughest part of graduation party planning is setting a budget. First, consider how many guests youโre inviting. Is everyone invited or just close friends and family? The answer may largely depend on your graduateโs social preferences, so donโt be afraid to ask them first!
Next, determine what kind of food youโll be serving. Will it be snacks or full-on meals? Meals will cost more, while finger food is more cost-effective.
Then youโll want to consider the venue. Are you going to host it at home or at a place that requires a fee? You donโt need to reserve half a hotel to throw a graduation party, but most parks and other community spaces do require a modest fee.
If your graduate has a few close friends, consider co-hosting a party. This can help extend your budget, by sharing the cost with other families. However, youโll want to be clear with expectations upfront. Things like how many guests, location, and food options should be discussed as a group.
If your budget is small, thatโs perfectly okay. In fact, graduation parties on a budget are some of the best parties, since it will be far more unique.
For those on an extreme budget, consider something like a potluck or invite just a few people for a more intimate celebration.
2. Choose a Type of Party
Next, youโll want to decide which type of graduation party you want to have. Start with timing.
If you plan your party around mealtimes, people will expect more food, which will increase your budget.
For smaller budgets, consider doing a mid-day dessert bar, light appetizers or a breakfast/brunch party. These limited menu type of parties are an easy way to save.ย
If it has to be around dinner time, potlucks are always a fun way to get together and celebrate. Ask a couple close friends or family members to contribute a dish. A budget graduation party can still involve a meal and a lot of people, youโll just have to be a bit more community-oriented.
3. Select a Budget Graduation Party Venue
Now that youโve got a time of day, invite list, and type of party all sorted out, itโs time to talk venue. Your home may seem like an easy choice. Itโs free and the least amount of hassle, but consider your space.ย
Do you have enough room to host everyone? If you plan on having a backyard bash, is there enough shade? What will you do if it rains?
Don’t forget to factor in additional time to get your home “party ready”. That small rental fee for an off-site venue may seem like a bargain compared to spending a few hours prepping your house for a party. Not to mention time to clean up after the party.
Park pavilions and community centers often have spaces for rent at a reasonable price. So do social clubs like the VFW and Elks. Often times, community centers and social clubs will come with a kitchen too.
I paid $50 for our local park rental and it included access to a gas grill, food prep area, covered pavilion, and even lawn games. Keep in mind that in populated areas permits for reserving a party venue fill up fast. The more advanced planning the better.
4. Send out the Invites
An easy way to save money on a graduation party is to send out free invites. Use a free electronic invite service, like Evite, to send out invitations. You can also use Facebook Events to get the word out.
Make invitations personal by including a senior picture or collage of photos as the background image or directly on the Evite. If youโre co-hosting, a fun group photo of the grads is a nice touch.
Photo invitations with the details printed on the back work well too. Keep in mind youโll have to budget for ink, paper and postage stamps.
If printing invitations at home isn’t an option, check out online printing options like Shutterfly. I ended up purchasing photo invitations online with a discount code that made it cheaper than printing at home.
5. Choosing Delicious, Budget-Friendly Eats
When it comes to how to throw a graduation party on a budget, proper meal planning is essential. First, ask your grad what they would like. Try to accommodate their requests within reason.ย
Save money by setting a smaller menu, such as one or two main dishes with two sides and a few snacks. Itโs less work and you can provide more food.
For example, make double or triple batches of your gradโs favorite pasta salad with veggies. Pair it with a veggie tray and fruit bowl and you’re all set.
If youโre hosting a large group and have access to a grill, pick up several packages of pre-made hamburger patties and hot dogs at a wholesale store like Costco to help cut down costs. Donโt forget to enlist a few volunteers to help man the grill so you arenโt stuck cooking for the entire party.
For smaller groups, purchase a less expensive pork butt roast and serve up crockpot pulled pork sandwiches.
One quick tip for a budget graduation party is to utilize pasta. Pasta is cheap and easy to make in multiple batches. Serve up two different kinds of pasta, one red sauce (Cheesy Penne Pasta Bake is my go-to recipe to feed a crowd) and one white sauce (my family loves my Easy Chicken Spaghetti recipe). Add a green salad and bread for a complete meal. The result is a delicious meal without emptying your piggy bank.
Consider setting up a taco bar party, baked potato bar or ice cream sundae bar. These self-serve options are super popular with teenagers and also easy on your wallet. You’ll also appreciate that most of the food preparation can be done ahead of time, leaving you more time to enjoy the party.
Purchase pre-made desserts, such as Costcoโs delicious sheet cake for under $20. Two of these cakes will serve around 80-100 guests. Alternatively, you can provide a few small desserts from your local bakery. Remember, you donโt need to serve dessert if youโre providing a full-blown meal.
Don’t forget to pack up and use leftover party food to avoid food waste. Alternatively, you can always send guests home with a doggy bag!
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6. Providing Drinks and Alcohol
Alcohol can quickly blow your graduation party budget if youโre not careful. The other downside is you’ll need to be vigilant about only serving guests over 21 years of age.
Decide if you want to provide alcohol for adults or if you want to make the event BYOB or even booze-free. Most adults wonโt mind bringing their own libation, so donโt feel pressured to provide expensive booze.
Make pitchers of lemonade and iced tea instead of expensive soda. Use concentrates or mixes with reusable pitchers to avoid using plastic bottles.
If youโve got to have a soda, purchase 2-3 types of two-liter bottles so you donโt end up with a bunch of half-opened individual sodas by the end of the party.
7. Quick Tips for Hosting a Graduation Party on a Budget
Graduation party planning doesnโt need to be complicated. Hosting a budget graduation party is easier to do than it sounds. Consider these quick tips for hosting a graduation party on a budget:
- Co-host to split costs
- Keep the party intimate to just close friends and family
- Consider hosting a pot-luck
- Ask parents to bring things like foldable camping chairs, pop up shade structures, games, and other things so you donโt have rent or buy these items.
- Donโt over-do the decorations, invites, and other frivolous items. Itโs about getting together and celebrating your graduate.
- Buy in bulk to save money on food and serving supplies. Donโt forget to check around the house to see what you already have laying around (napkins, cups, utensils, etc).
Planning a graduation party on a budget means getting creative with your party plans, and keeping the food simple. Say congrats to the special grad in your family with a thoughtful graduation party.
Do you have any tips for hosting a graduation party on a budget? Share by leaving a comment below.