Graduation Party Theme Ideas

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Receiving a diploma is an important threshold to cross whether the graduation is from grade school, high school, or college. It is a good idea to commemorate this event with a celebration to make your special graduate feel a sense of accomplishment.

A graduation theme party is therefore always a good way to honor this occasion. If you do not have any ideas for one, don't worry! You have many options.

Hosting a graduation party for a younger child is much the same as throwing a birthday party or other social get-together. You could pick any theme from Spongebob Squarepants to Spiderman and you will usually be able to find better deals from online party suppliers than from your local store - BuyCostumes is a great start for themed party supplies.

Parties for older guests might be a little harder to plan because of more sophisticated guest lists including people of all ages and backgrounds, but you can still have a successful graduation party relatively easily. To give everyone some common ground right from the get-go, graduation party theme ideas is something you might want to consider.

Party in a Package

You can find many ideas from any party or graduation supply provider. Many also offer theme packs, which include all plates, cutlery, napkins, tablecloths, confetti, streamers, and other objects you might need to throw a successful party. From basic color themes to a theme based on a tropical paradise, you have much to choose from. As you can see from the picture below taken from www.buycostumes.com, you can even use graduation itself as your theme.

Add pic from buycostumes.

Be Creative - Something Different is Much More Memorable!

If you don't want to buy a package, or no one you can find offers a theme that you like, you can always make your own. You could create your own theme using school colors, for example, with all plates and accessories being those colors. A local printer might even be able to print the graduate's school mascot on napkins or placemats.

You can also create a theme using the graduation year, with giant cutout numbers and number confetti. Or, get creative and pull your own graduation party theme ideas together based on what you think your graduate will enjoy or whatever movie is popular at the time.

Even though a Pirates of the Caribbean party might seem a like a risk, graduates might enjoy an original party more than one that has the standard themes, foods, and activities.

Candy Graduation Party Theme Ideas

How about this sweet idea?

You could have a simple candy themed graduation party or take it a step further and go for a weird/gross candy theme. I LOVE gross candy and I bet most high schoolers would too. You can find all kinds of gross candy at Stupid.com like Ear Wax Candy, ABC Gum, Lunch Meat Bubble Gum, Dog Food Candy, Sardine Candy, Sour Flush Candy, Tooth Ache Candy, Candy Teef, and Gummi Bacon. Don't forget some Bertie Bott's jellybeans and some Fear Factor Candy to round it all out.

Candy bouquets can be ordered to decorate the table(s). You can find some at Lollipop Creations.

Another idea is to get a retro candy basket/gift box or two to let the youngsters see what kinds of candy we ate when we were kids. You can get some at Old Time Candy.

You could find candy fabric for decorating your venue at JoAnn's both non-trademarked (monkeys with candy and sweets flannel) and trademarked (cotton with tootsie rolls or dots or other candies).

Lovely idea eh! Mmmmmmm……….

Simple Color Theme

The simplest of all the graduation party theme ideas is to base one around your school colors. Most color schemes are built around one or two main colors. If you select only one color for your decorating try to add little touches of another color in a lighter or darker shade of the same color.
Similarly adding little splashes of black, white, silver or gold will not detract from your main color choice but the effect will be considerably more dramatic.

Dressing Up

Everyone loves an excuse to dress up and it definitely adds an extra element of fun to your celebration so why not choose graduation party theme ideas that will allow your visitors to come in costume.

I’ve put some ideas together re invitations, costumes, decorations, food, games and favors for my favorite graduation party theme ideas:

• Luau - ideas for graduation party theme
• Western - graduation party theme ideas
• Backward - ideas for graduation party theme.

Here are a few more theme ideas you could choose from:

• Stars (Elvis, Marilyn Munro etc)
• Cocktail party
• Toga
• Casino
• Fiesta
• Circus
• Mardi Gras

The sites I use to source my theme party supplies are:

Invitations - here you'll find a good supply for most themes. You could also consider making your own with some clipart.

Costumes – This site has a truly unbelievable selection of costumes for all themes and all age groups – can you believe it even has pet costumes!!! I also love their hostess kits and games selection.

Themed Decorations, Games, Music, Partyware and Favors - Here you'll find some very reasonably priced accessories. I think it's quite nice to have some of these to hand out as the guests arrive.

Graduation Party Theme Ideas Centered on Hobbies

You could consider choosing a theme centered around your graduates passions or hobbies. The sites above will also be pretty good for your supplies. I'm sure I spotted a Tiger Woods mask on one of them!

Of course you could also add the surprise element to any of the above!!

The bottom line is that, whatever you decide, you need to make sure that the first focus is safety and having fun. Whether the party you plan is for young children graduating kindergarten or grade school, young adults graduating from high school, or those proud college grads, the thought that you put into the event and the love with which you plan it are sure to make your party a success for all concerned.

Books of Inspiration

Pick a Party: The Big Book of Party Themes and Occasions

By Patty Sachs
This is definitely worth a read. It contains over 130
themes, with lots of planning tips and valuable resources.

AND, a great companion for this is:

Pick a Party Cookbook: The Big Book of Party Menus, Recipes & Table Decor.

By Patty Sachs
It contains lots of recipes and menus for any theme
party. It also has some great drink recipes and serving
instructions and some lovely creative table decoration ideas.