The end of the school year is upon us, and an open house is one of the most popular ways for high school and college graduates to celebrate their success. While open houses are a fun, laid-back way to celebrate with friends and family, it’s easy to overlook how much time and work is involved in the planning and preparation.
Keep reading for a quick guide on how to plan a fun and budget-friendly graduation party.
Choosing a Venue
One of the first things to consider when planning a graduation open house is where the event will be held. Obviously, the most cost-effective choice would be to host the party in the home of a friend or family member of the graduate. If you plan to invite more guests than a home could comfortably accommodate, consider renting a pavilion at a local park, or reserving a hall or a community room at a local church.
Picking the Time and Date
The afternoons and evenings of the weekends are typically the most convenient times for attendees, but pick your date with care. Many of the graduate’s friends will be planning their own parties, and families often leave for vacations soon after the school year ends.
While you probably won’t be able to choose a date and time that will suit everyone on your guest list, making an effort to accommodate their schedules will ensure a better turnout for the event. To help your guests avoid conflicts, schedule the party on an evening during the week, and plan for it to last no less than three hours. After all, many of your invitees may be unavailable on the Saturday following graduation, but most well-wishers will be able to find 30 minutes on a Tuesday night to drop by and give their congratulations to the graduate.
Creating the Guest List
Who will you be inviting to the party? Friends, family members or both? If you are planning to invite both friends and family, consider dividing the party into two parts. Celebrating with your friends is a little different from celebrating with grandparents, and by hosting them at different times, you can ensure that everyone has fun.
Sending Out Invitations
As with most parties, an invitation for the open house should be sent out 4-6 weeks prior to the event. A physical invitation is always best. While there’s nothing wrong with following it up with an invite on social media or an e-vite, these are often overlooked by their recipients.
Planning the Menu
When it comes to the food, your focus should be on convenience. Because people are going to be coming and going throughout the evening, try to offer foods that can be served at room temperature. Choose fresh food that can easily be eaten whether your guests are sitting, standing or walking around. If you are having a cake, be sure to cut it early in the evening so that everyone can enjoy a slice.
Are you looking for the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for the graduate in your life? We offer a wide selection of unique prints, metal artwork, and jewelry, all of which can be customized with a personalized soundwave message. Whether you record a message of congratulations or a line from the graduate’s school’s anthem, your gift is sure to be a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.
