Selecting a Date | Choosing a Setting | Party Themes | Invitations
Menu and Serving Ideas | Decorations | More Ideas | Graduation Recipes
Graduation Day. The day every teenager has been waiting for since they started high school. Celebrating a graduation should be a day the graduate will always remember, not one of stress that the parents' want to forget. Following the guidelines below is a beginning to hosting a wonderful day for all to remember.
Sit down with the graduate and discuss what he or she would like for their graduation day. Remember, the day is to honor the graduate, so their input is important. Would they like a small family gathering or a party with family and friends? What types of food would they prefer to have served? How about a theme? All of these questions need to be answered in advance with plenty of time to prepare and organize. This leg work takes some time but is worth it in the end when everyone enjoys a calm and stress free celebration. Allow approximately two months to get everything organized.
Selecting a Date:
Choosing a date and time to host the party can be difficult. Working around family schedules and other party times can become cumbersome. Remember that the party does not necessarily need to be held the day of the ceremony. A number of parties are held even two weeks after the actual graduation day. One idea is to have the party the week prior to the graduation. With the party over, just sit back and enjoy the ceremony as well as the parties of other graduates.
Another point to consider would be the time schedule. Think about limiting the amount of time that the guests are there. In some instances, three to four hours is adequate. Putting a time frame on the party frees, not only the graduate so that he or she can attend other parties, but also the hosts', so they can sit down and enjoy out-of-town guests and friends that may be staying longer.
Whatever is chosen, remember to focus on what works for the the graduate and the family.
A common location for graduation parties is the backyard or garage. With spring in the air and the weather turning nice, what a better time to have an outdoor party? If the party is to be held out doors, make sure there is shelter for the guests in case of bad weather. Tents work great for outdoor entertaining and usually are available at any rental business. Tables and chairs can also be rented; however, churches may make these items available for graduates' families for a small donation. If renting, remember to book ahead of time to ensure that the quantities needed will be available.
When is comes to themes, the possibilities are endless. This is an area that can really be fun and creative. Choose a theme that reflects the personality and likes of the graduate. Maybe he or she is a sports fanatic. Planning a party around sports can include the decorations (jerseys, pennants, photos from their favorite team, etc.), food that is served at a ball game (hotdogs, snow cones, nachos, popcorn), music can be playing in the background from their favorite stadium. Below are some ideas to get those creative minds to work;
* Mexican Fiesta
* Hawaiian Luau
* Car Theme
* Dance Studio
* World Travels
* Texas BBQ
* Theme from the college that the graduate will be attending. (Serve foods from that state, etc.)
* Ice Cream Social
* Coffee and Dessert Bar
Invitations:
Most high schools offer a graduation announcement and invitation through a company that is working for them. They are usually generic and offer the school colors, mascot, and other class information. There are also a large number of companies that can be found on the internet that provide a wide variety to choose from. Another option is to design and create an invitation with the graduate in mind. For those up for the challenge, below are some option to consider.
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* Use a baby picture of the graduate on the front and list the graduation information beside or below it.
* Use an image of the newspaper from the day the graduate was born. Be creative in what is said, such as "This just in" or "Breaking News" and then give the graduation information.
* Use pictures of the graduate through the years and have them printed lightly on the background with the graduation party information printed on the top. |
These ideas can be taken to a local printer to be printed on a paper of choice. Allow approximately two weeks to have them completed but always double check with them on the printing time. In the meanwhile, use this time to get addresses that are needed in order. Make phone calls or e-mail everyone so that all the addresses are up to date and ready to go. The easiest way to do this is in a computer spreadsheet, but writing them the old fashioned way returns the same result.
Whichever is chosen to announce the graduate's big day, make sure that they are in the mail 4-5 weeks before the day of the event. Doing so allows out-of-town guests enough time to make their travel plans. Sending a map with the invitation giving directions to the graduate's home or wherever the party is taking place in also a good idea.
Menu and Serving Ideas
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Beverages: |
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Tea Punch
INGREDIENTS
8 tea bags
7 cups water, more if needed
1 (12 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
2 cups sugar
1 lemon, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS
Place 8 tea bags in 7 cups boiling water. Allow to brew. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into one gallon pitcher. Add cold water to fill pitcher, sliced lemons and refrigerate a minimum of 2 hours. |
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Appetizers |
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Buffalo Rolls
INGREDIENTS
3/4 pound JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE® Deli Premium Seasoned Buffalo Style Turkey Breast, thinly sliced
1/2 cup bleu cheese salad dressing, prepared
5 stalks celery, cut into sticks 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch x 3 1/2 inches
2 ounces bleu cheese, crumbled
DIRECTIONS
Lay thin slice of JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE® Premium Seasoned Buffalo Style Turkey Breast on flat surface. Spread turkey with thin layer of dressing. Place single celery stick on short edge of turkey slice and roll up tightly. Repeat with remaining turkey slices and ingredients. Lay rolls on appetizer platter, seam side down. Sprinkle lightly with crumbled bleu cheese. Serve.
Variations: Any variety of JENNIE-O-TURKEY STORE® turkey breast can be used in this recipe. Add shredded carrot or green onion to the rolls. Experiment with your favorite bleu cheese types such as Stilton, Gorgonzola, etc. |
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Sandwiches |
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Zesty Barbecue Buns
INGREDIENTS
1 package JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE® Turkey Breast Slices
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
4 toasted Kaiser rolls or whole grain buns
DIRECTIONS
Cut across grain of turkey slices to make strips 1/2 inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil until hot. Cook and stir turkey strips until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Remove from skillet; set aside. In skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Cook onion until tender. Stir in tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, Worchestershire sauce and mustard. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place cooked turkey into sauce and simmer until heated through, about 3 minutes. Serve over toasted, split Kaiser rolls. |
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Strawberry, Mango and Greens
Serving Size:4
INGREDIENTS
1 ripe mango, peeled and cubed
12 large, ripe strawberries, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 head of romaine lettuce
red wine vinaigrette, bottled
DIRECTIONS
Peel and cube mango, wash strawberries and cut into bite sized pieces, set aside. Wash approximately 8-10 large romaine leaves, dry and tear into bite size pieces and place into a salad bowl. Toss in fresh fruit and drizzle enough prepared salad dressing to coat everything - serve immediately.
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Desserts |
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Chocolate Pretzel Yummies
INGREDIENTS
2 cups walnuts (8 ounces)
1 cup peanut butter flavored chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup light colored corn syrup
DIRECTIONS
In a food processor, combine walnuts, peanut butter pieces, and milk chocolate pieces. Cover and process until mixture is coarsely chopped. If a food processor is not available, coarsely chop ingredients separately with a knife, then combine.
In a small heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Stir in sweetened condensed milk. Return to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Turn heat to medium-low. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Continue cooking constantly, until mixture reaches 236º (approximately 10 minutes). Adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil. Remove saucepan from heat, stir in vanilla. Cool 15-30 minutes or until slightly thickened . The mixture is easier to work with when completely cooled.
Dip each pretzel into caramel mixture covering approximately 2/3 of the rod. Let caramel drip off slightly. Spoon or roll some of the walnut mixture onto the caramel on the pretzel pressing crumbs lightly with the back of a spoon or using your fingers. Let stand on nonstick foil until caramel is set. Store in an airtight container between layers of wax paper in the refrigerator up to 4 days or freeze up to 1 month. |
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Serving beverages can be done easily by preparing any sized tub with ice and an assortment of drinks. Makes sure to include something for everyone. |
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When serving buffet or picnic style, have the napkins and silverware easily accessible for the guests. It can be difficult to carry a plate full of food and try to manage utensils as well. This pocket fold napkin helps to solve the problem. |
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Step 1:
Begin with a paper or cloth napkin (paper napkin shown) folded in a square. Lay napkin diagonally with open corners at the top. |
Step 2:
Roll the first layer, of the 4 layers, to the center of the napkin. |
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Step 3:
Flip napkin over and fold the left corner to center of napkin. |
Step 4:
Repeat fold with the right corner. If napkins will be used to carry silverware for a buffet or picnic situation, place a decorative sticker on the back to hold napkin folds in place. |
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Step 5:
Turn napkin over. |
Step 6:
Insert the fork, knife, and spoon. |
Decorations
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Deck the walls and table tops with photos and memorabilia of the graduates' life. Try to incorporate "fun photos" not just the typical class picture. Pull out the old jerseys, team photos, dance recital programs, or any other items from their past. Focusing the decorating around the graduates likes and interests throughout their school career creates a fun atmosphere for the guests to enjoy. |
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Have their favorite sayings and slang written out, laminated, and displayed throughout the party setting. What a fun way for the guests to learn a little more about the graduate. |
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Decorate clay pots with the high school colors, plant colorful flowers, and use it for centerpieces on the tables. |
Set up a table for gifts, making sure to have a container for the cards. A nice basket works well, how about a decorated mailbox, or one of the graduates' old instrument cases adorning the school colors?
Decorating for a party doesn't have to be expensive. Use whatever is available around the house or take a trip to the local discount store. There are a great ideas there from serving trays to food contains and they have ample decorating supplies.
More to Add to the Day
Place a new address book at the card and gift table and have the guests add their names, numbers, and amyl information so that they graduate will have their own listings to take to college with them.
Provide a memory book for the guests to tell their favorite memory or story about the graduate. This will make a wonderful keepsake.
Have an activity available for all the graduates attending the party to keep busy with while there. Volleyball, crochet, or bocce ball would be great for this.
Place disposable cameras on the tables to inspire spontaneous picture taking.
Have a video created about the graduate and have it showing throughout the party. There are plenty of companies that offer this service.
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