 | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
|
|||||
|
|||||||||
|
Your Graduation Party Act surprised, but don't be surprised when your graduate and his or her friends announce that of all the graduation parties they visited, your graduation party was the "sweetest". Of course! You bought graduation party supplies from ShindigZ. A Checklist for Graduation Party Supplies Ideas for Graduation Party Supplies Whoop-up those graduation parties! Graduation Party Supplies- Gifts Find all of your party supplies at ShindigZ Party Supplies! Graduation Party Tips Hosting a graduation party for someone special is a wonderful way to demonstrate your love, and to show just how important they are in the lives of those closest to them. Not everyone loves huge parties, so consider the graduate's preferences when putting together your guest list. The party should be as upbeat as possible, and should "honor" the graduate. As an alternative to centering the party around school colors, we recommend that you center your theme around the graduate's interests, hobbies, passions, or hopes and dreams for the future. To get your creative juices flowing, we have outlined several theme ideas in our Graduation Party Tip Section. After you make your selection, choose invitations, decorations, and favors to match your theme…we'll be happy to provide you with help on the details! The following basic ideas will work with any theme or size graduation party: * Send formal or informal invitations depending on the type of party you are hosting. For formal invites, check out our "Design Invitation" in our All Occasion Store and create a personalized invitation of your own. Select the design you want on the front of the invitation and then add wording of your choice along with your theme slogan. We also carry graduation invites, and specialty invites for hundreds of different themes. As an alternative, give your guests a sneak preview of the fun and let them know that this is a "not to be missed" party by sending out unique invitations. If you are sending out traditional paper or imprinted invites, sprinkle some confetti to match your decorating colors inside. Consider attaching a computer generated or hand written tag to an item related to your theme. If you are using a general graduation theme, create a mock diploma to use as an invite, or use a miniature graduation cap. For a luau theme, use a lei, or a pair of inexpensive sunglasses (also great for a "Future Looks so Bright" theme)…use your imagination! Use curling ribbon, satin ribbon, or pipe cleaners to attach the tag with all the party details. * Send the invites out as early as possible (at least 3 weeks prior to the party) so that your party isn't lost in the shuffle. If possible, check dates with the parents of the graduate's good friends in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. * There is no right or wrong location for a graduation party…your home, a park, Country Club, school gymnasium, community center, bowling alley, local YMCA…anywhere that can accommodate your group and party preferences! * If your graduate has one or two very close friends, don't hesitate to combine the party if the teens like the idea. If you are planning on hosting the party with other parents, or if you are expecting a big crowd, rent a tent to be set up outside your home. Most rental businesses stock these tents and will even deliver and set them up. * Spotlight the grad with a table filled with memorabilia…awards and honors, prom photos, senior pictures, diploma, mortarboard, pom poms, yearbooks, textbooks, pennants, etc. * A nice touch for the evening would be to set up a photo backdrop area - either a balloon arch, or a metallic curtain - so that the graduate can have his/her picture taken with either individuals or groupings of his choice. You will want to take plenty of photographs to document this important once-in-a-lifetime event! * In your invitation, ask each guest to come to the party with his or her own toast, tribute or remembrance, in lieu of a store bought gift. This can take many different forms: A personal note, a doodle, a tape recorded message, a video segment, a message in song form, a poem, a skit, a photo collage, slide presentation, or a homemade music video. The graduate will be tickled with these gifts straight from the heart. * If the idea of having guests come with a prepared message doesn't appeal to you, set up a video camera in an area with a decorated backdrop, and ask guests to stop by at some point during the party, and record a more spontaneous message. Have each guest start by saying "David, you are special to me/our family because…". For a more light hearted or funny memento, have each guest start by saying "Tiffany, I think your future holds…", or "Max, I think you are most likely to…in the future". Throughout the party you will create a terrific tribute, filled with warm memories, funny stories, and the smiling faces of those who came to honor your child. * Especially perfect for Graduations…cover a wall with seamless paper and allow guests to leave messages, clever doodles, or creative outlines of themselves for the guest of honor. A really fun keepsake! Start by creating a message of welcome or a greeting to the guest of honor on the sign prior to the party. The graduate can clip the doodles and messages after the party and preserve them in a scrapbook! * If you are expecting out of town guests, call a few local hotels to gather room rates, and don't hesitate to ask if they offer a group discount rate. Many will allow you to reserve a block of rooms for the weekend, and then guests can call in and pay for their own room. On a separate insert in your invitation, include hotel names, rates, and a code for your block rate, along with a small map of where the hotels are located in relation to where the party will be held. GRADUATION PARTY FOOD: While it may seem like a thrifty and personal touch to plan on cooking or preparing food for the party, you may find that it is generally best to do as little cooking as possible on the day of the party. Whenever possible choose food that can be prepared a few days prior to the party, or hire caterers, and purchase prepared food from restaurants, delicatessens, and food service markets. There is no need to create extra stress when the party is upon you, and you will have more time to mingle and enjoy the festivities. A buffet set-up is easiest if the graduation party is in an open-house format. Serve a menu to match the theme of the party if you are using a specific theme, or serve traditional teen favorites such as a taco bar or built-to-order nachos, mini pizzas, burgers and hot dogs, or giant deli sandwiches (Subway™ has a great 6' sandwich). Great staples for a buffet style finger food meal include chicken wings, chicken strips (offer 3 or 4 interesting dipping sauces), meatballs (Swedish or BBQ), mini eggrolls, whole water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, veggies and dip, and an assortment of sandwiches made on mini buns (about 3-4 bite size). Make everything ahead of time, and store hot items in a warming tray, or in an oven set at 200 degrees until the feeding frenzy begins! Scatter several bowls of munchies around the areas where your guests will be mingling…Chips, pretzels, nuts, M&Ms™, popcorn, and Chex™ Mix. Add a few hearty dips that can be made ahead. Here are a few that are extra easy to make, and are always a big hit: * CREAM CHEESE DIP: Purchase cream cheese in block form, and top with salsa (flavored salsas are great), cocktail sauce and crabmeat, green pepper jelly, or jam (any flavor works, but apricot is delicious!). If you are feeling adventurous, combine a couple of packages, and mold them into the shape of a graduation cap. Serve with a variety of crackers. Triscuit™ thins are perfect with this dip. * ARTICHOKE DIP: Mix 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup mayonnaise ("light" is okay to use), and 1-24 oz. can of artichoke hearts, chopped into small pieces. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, and serve with crackers. This dip can be served warm, or at room temperature. * EASY CHEESY DIP: Add one large block of Velveeta Cheese, one 16 oz. can of chili without beans, and one 16 oz. jar of salsa to a crock pot. Stir occasionally. The dip is ready when the cheese is completely melted. Serve with bite-sized tortilla chips. * BAKED BRIE: Hollow out an oval loaf of French or sourdough bread, cutting the bread so that you have a "lid". Fill the hole with Brie cheese, and put the lid back on. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve with small chunks of bread, or crackers. If the Brie is not to your taste, fill the bread with any other type of dip, such as a creamy spinach dip. * SHRIMP COCKTAIL: Serve on ice, along with cocktail sauce. This is a little more costly than most items you might plan to serve, but it will make your guests feel special, and the color looks terrific on a buffet. It is also perfectly acceptable to serve only cake and punch, or a small dessert buffet at a graduation open house. If you are entertaining a crowd with a good sense of humor, add a fun farewell to school by renting or borrowing the "cafeteria" trays from a local school to use as either serving dishes, or as plates for guests to eat from. As an alternative, stack "brown bag" lunches on a serving table for guests to pick up! …Because life should be more fun…don't forget that even as the host or hostess, you should absolutely enjoy yourself and reap the rewards of your good planning. Choose a theme that you are excited about, and take pleasure in the little moments of satisfaction you'll encounter along the way. Let the celebration reflect the caring and joy you have put into your planning. If you need additional ideas or suggestions more specific to your party, please email us at www.ShindigZ.com …we're here to help make all your parties a huge success! Hot Themes for Teens Teens all over the world have one thing in common…they love to get together with friends and have fun! Planning a Graduation Party? Pick a theme that appeals to you…and let ShindigZ.com help you plan a party that will be remembered long after the teen years have faded into fuzzy, happy memories! CO-ED FUN * Backward Party * Tacky Times * Amateur Night - Karaoke Party * Hollywood Party * Wild, Wild West * Hawaiian Luau * Beach Bash * Retro Mania * Flower Power * Rockin' the Night Away - 50's style * Set the Night to Music * Limousine Scavenger Hunt * Sporting/Hobby Themes - e.g. "Sweet Sixteen Suits you to a TEE!" (For the golfer) (If you love a sport or hobby, choose it as your theme…Basketball, Football, Cheerleading, Bowling, Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming, WCW, Nascar Racing, Skateboarding, Karate, Skiing, Snowboarding…nothing is off limits!) * Mardi Gras * A Night on the Orient Express * Asian Fantasy * Mexican Fiesta * Everything's Coming up Roses! * Pajama Jam * Night of a Thousand Stars * How Brightly You Shine (stars) * Star Light, Star Bright (built around the wishes of teens everywhere - driving, dream dates, unlimited mall money, no homework, etc.) * Celestial Party * A World of Wonder Awaits * Toga Party * Pool Party * Dreams of Tomorrow * Titanic Times * Walk Like an Egyptian * It's a Jungle out there! * Rainforest Revue * Movie Mania * Hats Off to… JUST FOR GIRLS Celebrate all that makes you special as a young lady…a sense of style that is all your own, a loving and giving heart, and the right to giggle out loud with your girl friends! * Hearts & Flowers * Somewhere Over the Rainbow * Pamper Party/Glamour Girls * Queen for a Day * Jumpin' Jammies Sleepover * Camp in! * Pretty in Pink * Beauty in the World I see...Rainbows, Butterflies & Me! * Mall Mania FORMAL FUN Whether you hold your party in your own home, a country club, a community center, or a backyard tent, a formal party can be an unforgettable way to greet a special milestone in your life. Black tie and fancy dress are great fun, or just set a dress code appropriate to your party theme…and enjoy the festivities! Typically with a formal affair, a sit-down or buffet style meal will be included. Remember to take tons of pictures, and give your guests a special favor so they'll never forget your night in the spotlight! * Candlelight & Roses * Moonlight & Roses * Backward Party * Hollywood Party * Set the Night to Music * Everything's Coming up Roses! * Pajama Ball * Night of a Thousand Stars * Star Studded Night * How Brightly You Shine (stars) * Star Light, Star Bright * Dance the Night Away * Celestial Party * A World of Wonder Awaits * Masquerade Ball * Silver & Gold Ball * Dreams of Tomorrow * A Night on the Orient Express Fantasy Location Theme Ideas If your graduate has a favorite vacation spot, a dream job location, or has harbored dreams of getting away from all the structure of everyday life and escaping to a fantasy location…grant his or her wish for the day! 1. TROPICAL PARADISE? – "Hawaiian Luau" 2. SANDY BEACH? – "Beach Bash", "Surfside Adventure" 3. YACHTING AROUND THE GLOBE? - "Anchors Away", "Nautical" or "Bon Voyage" 4. A DUDE RANCH? – "Wild Wild West!" 5. LAS VEGAS/MONACO? – "Casino Night" 6. THE AMAZON? – "It's a Jungle out there!" 7. GLOBE TROTTING? – "A World of Wonder Awaits David!" 8. SULTRY SOUTH AMERICA? – "Mexican Fiesta!", "Carnival Night in Rio!" 9. NEW ORLEANS? – "Mardi Gras!" 10. HOLLYWOOD? – "Glitz, Glamour, and A Golden Graduate! Decorate your party room to resemble the fantasy location as much as possible. Include lots of authentic music, lighting, and food to transport guests to a really soothing place! We have everything you could possibly need for each of these themes…always a huge hit! Once you have selected a theme and a slogan, center your invitations, decorations, and party favors around the theme. At www.ShindigZ.com, our party planners will be happy to help you plan a never-to-be-forgotten graduation party! |
||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||
|
