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Ideas on planning graduation party for your teen

Graduation is a significant milestone in any child’s career. It symbolizes the successful completion of high school and ushers in the age of new dreams and challenges in the life of the graduate. Like any ceremony, the graduation party too has a traditional history. Invitations are sent out in the form of diplomas, graduation hats are suspended from the ceiling to give an effect of them being thrown in the air, a blackboard is created on which every guest leaves his/her re’mark’ and the cafeteria favorites are whipped up for a feast. While that is good, a little extra effort would make the party an unforgettable experience for the graduate. The neatest ‘extra’ idea would be to have a party that is themed to the personality of your child. Based on the child’s future ambitions, passions, hobbies and career likes, the whole day can be fashioned out. You can easily get your child’s ‘major’ ideas for the theme. Some ideas are offered here.

1. Medicine

If a doctor is what your child’s dream is, then its time for ‘hospital’ity with some ‘clinical’ precision. Visit the hospital cafeteria and have a look of the ambiance. Try to reacreate the same in your eating area too. Add anatomical posters to the walls and place a few inexpensive anatomy models along the walls of the main hall. ‘Balloons’ can be inflated from surgical gloves and you can place tongue depressors for the guests to sign and add their advice for your ward. Visit the medical stores instead of the novelty shops for your ‘decor’ shopping.

2.Theater

If your ward is opting for theater as his/her career choice, the whole room can be decked as a stage where ‘all men (read guests) will be actors’, borrowing from Shakespeare. A costume party is in order now. Movie posters and pictures of his/her heroes could adorn the walls and you could even think of a photo gallery where you put up the child’s pictures. Invites could be made in a clapper board form and inexpensive masks could be presented as party take-away. Non-alcoholic champagne and snacks will complete the atmosphere.

3. Military

So, there is a passionate patriot growing at home. Make the graduation party memorable for him/her by hanging around plenty of national flags. Everything else also could have the color scheme of the national flag. Use military techniques of combat camouflage when you arrange napkins and tablecloth. The food should be served as a buffet in army-mess style. A couple of toy tanks, planes and soldiers could provide ideal decoration to the hall.

4. Law

This is one bar that any parent would be proud to send the child to! Place legal pads for the guests to sign and add words of wisdom. The graduation cards can be concealed in a briefcase and use a wooden hammer to draw the attention of everyone present while making the toast. Witness stands could be easily made to act as cubicles for dining. Legal ‘red tape’ could be present at the center of every table.

5. Sports

When you have a budding sportsperson at home, cover the walls with the sports hero – whatever be the ‘field’. It would be great if the actual party could be outdoors, in sync with sports. Have large grills borrowed or rented for a barbecue. Even posters of the graduate playing sports could be a ‘proud’ decoration material. Create a stadium atmosphere by having candy wending machines, popcorn machines and offer peanuts in paper bags.

6. Teaching

If the graduate is enthused by this noble profession, one inspiring thing to do is have cards with quotes on education placed at every table. Have shiny fruit bowls with fruits as centerpieces. Educational posters should adorn the walls and a desk at the entrance could be the sign in. Visit a local library for decor ideas. Serve lunch in paper sacks and have a variety of juice tetrapaks, sodas and milk in cartons.

7. Journalism

In true journo style, rent or borrow an old typewriter for the guests to type out their wishes and advice. Party favors could be pens and notepads on which the graduate’s name and graduation date are inscribed. A journo is always on the run and so fast-food will go well with this theme. A pizza buffet would be a good idea to incorporate.

8. Business

The cutlery for the tables could be served in inexpensive briefcases. Play money and toy cell phones could be scattered on tables and chairs. The sign in and advice could go on business cards which can be laminated later. Traditional dinner with virgin cocktails will make a wonderful business buffet.

Whatever be the theme you choose (or rather, the graduate chooses) there are some general guidelines to be kept in mind:

a. Stagger the crowds. Invite family over for the whole day. Friends could come in the evening while peripheral friends could drop in only for dinner. Specify the timings clearly on the invites with only the relevant timings being displayed for the person in question.

b. Have the invitation with R.S.V.P so that you can plan for the tables, chairs and other necessities.

c. Include outdoor games like croquet, horse shoes and volleyball along with games like pinata and bingo which are enjoyed by all age groups.

d. Drinks should be made available and accessible to all.

e. Waste bins too should be easily available in order to ensure a mess-free party.

f. A cameraman is an absolute necessity because memories are the only things that will be left after the party.

g. Have a separate area marked for taking group photographs. This area, needless to say, should be suitably spruced and decked up.

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