| Graduation is both a happy and a sad event. It | | | | durable container. Tell each guest to bring something |
| certifies the fruition of the hard work the graduate | | | | that best represent their high school or college. The |
| invested in the pursuit of knowledge and skills, but | | | | guests can bury the box in the ground together or |
| also it marks the beginning of a possibly even more | | | | assign some to keep it until their reunion. |
| exciting phase in life. Nonetheless, it means saying | | | | Open House Party |
| goodbye to long-time friends and classmates which is | | | | A popular option when planning a graduation party is |
| saddening. It is certainly a time for a party, a time to | | | | to make it an "open house" party. You are familiar |
| both celebrate and to say good-bye. Giving the | | | | with an "open house" for selling real estate. The idea |
| graduate one more chance to be with his or her | | | | is similar. An open-house party is one which gives |
| friends and classmates can be the best graduation | | | | guests the freedom to arrive and leave anytime. To |
| gift you can give. With this in mind it is important to | | | | make the open-house party even more exciting, |
| consider planning graduation party activities that will | | | | maximize all parts of the house. You could showcase |
| really make this occasion stand out as unforgettable. | | | | the graduate's various interests and hobbies in |
| Here are some activities you could include in your | | | | different rooms. In this case, the decoration, the |
| special party. | | | | food, and the type of activity will vary for each |
| Hand each guest a plain white T-shirt and a | | | | section. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking, but |
| permanent marker. The guests can sign each other's | | | | don't limit yourself to these. Be creative and use your |
| name, or leave small, yet memorable notes on it - | | | | own imagination: |
| best done before they put it on. | | | | Living or Dining room: Play the celebrant's favorite |
| Designate a table as a memory station. Place several | | | | songs and serve the favorite dishes. Just let guests |
| note boxes, one for each guest. Make sure you label | | | | have fun and chat with each other. |
| each note box with the guest's name. Leave note | | | | Graduate's bedroom or a Family or Recreation Room: |
| pads and pens on the table. Guests can write | | | | This setting is a little more intimate - a good place to |
| anything they wish to impart to their friend or | | | | really let the guests know more about the celebrant. |
| classmate, then drop the notepad into the | | | | Play videos taken of the graduate since childhood to |
| appropriate note box. | | | | present time. Put photo albums on display. |
| Welcome the guests with a life-size image of the | | | | Yard: Say, the graduate is interested in soccer. Set |
| graduate. Include sets of male and female life-size | | | | up a soccer goal in your yard. Organize a |
| cut-outs where guests can stick their photos. | | | | mini-tournament. Invite cheerleaders for a little |
| Delegate a photographer who will never leave the | | | | performance. They can come up with chants that |
| spot. Make the photos available before the party | | | | particularly mention the celebrant. Barbecue, cocktail |
| ends. At the end of the party, let the graduate sign | | | | food, and hotdog work well for this setup. |
| each photo and give it to respective guest - this | | | | As a final note, though you may include other |
| alone is a wonderful party favour. | | | | activities or even some party games, be aware that |
| Provide a sign-in book or a sign-in board or even | | | | high school or college kids just love to get together |
| both. When the party has ended and when the | | | | and talk, or have quiet time listening to music |
| graduate is all alone, there's nothing more | | | | together. So be sure to allow adequate time for |
| heart-warming than reading messages from friends | | | | them just to "hang out", and when you do add |
| and classmates. Aside from leaving a space for | | | | activities try to include activities that complement the |
| personal messages from the guests, provide | | | | meaning of graduation. What is that? Some say it is |
| questions relating to the graduate for the guests to | | | | the point where memories of the past meet dreams |
| answer. | | | | of the future. |
| Create a time capsule. It can be a plastic box or any | | | | |