Graduation Party Supplies

One of the largest investments you'll make when planning and hosting your graduation party are the supplies it takes to make a fabulous event. Some of the supplies you'll surely want to include for your graduation party are:

• Decorations. What is a party without festive decorations? Depending upon your budget and your party theme, you might want to include posters with a depiction of the graduate, banners with the graduate's name, balloons, streamers, and table centerpieces if you plan on a sit-down dinner. Decorate the party to reflect the theme you've chosen, including appropriate lighting.
• Party favors. Guests will remember your party if you dole out party favors. Some unique favors are personalized napkins, personalized bottled water, award ribbons with the colors of the school, engraved business-card holders, and personalized votive candle holders. You can personalize all of those items with the graduate's name and date of graduation.
• Guest book. Choose a guestbook and take it to your local jeweler and have them add an engraved nameplate to the cover. It will be a cherished memento for your graduate to keep for a lifetime.
• Food. No party is complete without food. Choose foods to compliment your party's theme, or keep it simple and serve a buffet of many types of finger foods. Determine how many people you will serve, and plan your budget accordingly.
• Games and activity stations. Depending upon the ages of your guests, choose appropriate games and activities to keep them entertained well into the evening.
• Music. Will you have prerecorded music or hire a deejay for the event? Your party budget will determine the answer to that question but you must have music at a graduation party, no matter which one you choose.
• Recording the event. As another memento for the graduate, plan to hire a photographer to capture the event digitally or on film.

Most cities have party supply stores, and some of those stores have inexpensive supplies. Once you've chosen a theme for your party, visit the stores in your area well in advance to buy everything you'll need. If you can't find what you're looking for in the store, shop online for specific items.