From creative gradation party ideas to tasty graduation cap and diploma-themed desserts, there are ideas here that are great for every graduation party. Explore below to help you discover fun graduation party ideas. Whether you’re throwing a high school graduation party or a college graduation party, you’re sure to find food, decoration and favor ideas here that you’ll love.
With the drinks, appetizers and desserts all selected, don’t forget to make a matching graduation party invite that will delight your guests and your grad. Say congratulations to your 2019 graduate with these graduation party ideas.
1. Shadow Box
Source: Shutterfly
Make floating thank you cards. Get pictures of your graduate out where your guests are, by printing the images on thin, 4×6-sized, lightweight paper, and then attaching those images to festive, helium-filled balloons as thank you cards your guests can take home.
2. Tissue Paper Decor
Source: Sugar Bee Crafts
This year sign is easy to make, and it’s perfect for a graduation party. Simply glue tissue paper in the color of your choice to foam-board numbers.
3. Memory Jar
Source: Shutterfly
A memory jar is a great way to celebrate the good times of high school. All you need is a decorative mason jar, some pens or pencils and enough strips of paper for each guest.
4. Graduation Cap Cupcakes
Source: Lil Luna
Pay homage to the traditional graduation cap with homemade cupcakes — featuring a chocolate cake base, a chocolate graham cracker top and a licorice tassel. The graduation caps will be as tasty as they are festive.
5. Photo Book
Source: Shutterfly
Contact your graduate’s friends and ask for any and all photographs that show the time that they spent together during their school career. Collect the photos and memories beforehand, and use them to create a professionally printed photo book.
6. Soft Pretzels
Source: Hungry Happenings
For a fun snack, try pretzels twisted into graduation caps. Not only are pretzels a popular snack, they’re easy to serve and won’t make a mess. Provide dips like mustard and cheese as an extra treat.
7. Graduation Candy Class Rings
Source: My Life at Play Time
Looking for inexpensive graduation gifts? On your dessert table, put out sweet and delicious “class rings” for your guests to enjoy.
8. Pretzel Graduates
Source: Hungry Happenings
For something sweet and savory, chocolate-covered pretzel pops are easy to make and delicious. Dip your pretzel sticks in chocolate and use fondant to create mini graduation-themed shapes.
9. Festive Graduation Cupcakes
Source: Laura’s Little Party
Whip up a batch of vanilla or chocolate cupcakes. Add a festive flair by using toppers that say the graduation year and “Congrats, Grad.”
10. Fruity Diplomas
Source: Paging Supermom
If you have little guests, hand out fruity roll diploma favors. Tie them up with a black ribbon or a sweet piece of licorice.
11. Pendant Grad Centerpieces
Source: Frog Prince Paperie
Add zest to your table centerpieces by creating striped boxes filled with colorful and glittery pendants. Incorporate school colors or the graduate’s favorite hues for a personalized feel.
12. Cupcake Stand
Source: Joyful Scribblings
If you’re looking for graduation decoration ideas for your dessert table, check out this adorable graduation cap cupcake stand. Create tiers so you can display layers of delicious cupcakes.
13. Custom Cake
Source: Frog Prince Paperie
Make your cake just as festive as the rest of your party. Proudly add your child’s graduation year using candy, frosting or candles.
14. School Mascot Decor
Source: Kitsch Event Styling
Add some school spirit to your graduation party by decorating your desserts with your graduate’s school mascot. Personalize the look by pinning photos of the graduate behind the table.
15. Graduation Cap Treats
Source: Bottle your Brand
Fill champagne flutes with tasty candy to celebrate your smart graduate. Top them off with traditional graduation caps made of cardboard and string.
16. Graduation Pretzel Pops
Source: Hungry Happenings
Create delicious graduation pretzel pops by first covering pretzel rods in white chocolate. Then, attach your graduation year and give each of your pretzels a little chocolate cap.
17. Donut Stand
Source: Catch My Party
Donut forget the sugar! For an easy dessert table, grab some colorful donuts from your favorite shop and arrange them on cute platters and cake stands.
18. Spring Colors
Source: Pen Paper and Flowers
A pink and orange dessert bar will make for a bright and beautiful backdrop for your graduate’s party. Add some cotton candy, streamers and macarons to make your setup pop.
19. Taco or Nacho Bar
Source: Krisztian Tabori
Host a taco or nacho bar. Perfect for fiesta- or pool-themed graduation parties, taco and nacho bars are delicious and easy to put together.
20. Graduation Cap Toppers
Source: Dukes and Duchesses
These graduation cap cupcake toppers are too cute to toss into the air! You can easily make them by using black cardstock and a painted bottle cap.
21. Hanging Lights
Source: Domestic Fashionista
Use the outdoors as part of your party’s decor. Hang some lanterns or lights on the greenery in your backyard to cast a soft light over your party.
22. Geometric Cake
Source: Sweet Georgia Sweet
This graduation party cake takes its inspiration from geometry class with its triangles and squares. Opt for vibrant tones like purple and teal for extra personality.
23. Streamers and Balloons
Source: Studio DIY
If you’re looking for a way to make your balloons more festive, attach the graduation year and some colorful streamers. Use this decor as your centerpieces or place the balloons next to your dessert table.
24. Instagram Highlights
Source: Thinking Closet
This Instagram graduation party idea is perfect for every social media lover. You can use Instagram photos in a banner, as part of your centerpieces and on your invitations.
25. Graduation Cap Tassel Garland
Source: Pizzazzerie
Nothing says graduation like tassels — and a diploma, of course! Make your own tassels in your party’s color scheme and use them to add color to any wall or table throughout your event.
26. Soda Bottle Toppers
Source: Fuzzled Joy
Graduation bottle cap toppers are a cute and inexpensive way to add detail to your child’s party. All you need are a few colorful foam sheets and a hot glue gun to create these fun shapes.
27. Grad Quote Board
Source: Lemon Squeezy Home
Share inspirational quotes with your guests by creating a lovely “Words to Live By” wall decoration. Try a simple color scheme, like black and white, to make the words stand out.
28. Happy Balloons
Source: Kim Byers/ Celebration Shoppe
Celebrate your child with some money-filled graduation balloons. Cut black and gold vinyl into graduation shapes and roll up a few bills to place in each balloon.
29. Feminine Tones
Source: The House of Hood
To decorate a large empty space or wall, create this pink and white balloon garland to add color and dimension. Use a silver or holographic fringe to fill the space in between.
30. Photo Trifold
Source: Gracefully Vintage
Display your graduate’s photos on your home’s shutters using twine and small clothes pins. Combine the photos with a few inspirational graduation messages for an uplifting display.
31. Arrow Straw Toppers
Source: Kara Allen
Point your graduate in the direction of their dreams with these creative arrow straw toppers. Serve your straws with a fun drink like punch or flavored iced tea.
32. Walking Tacos
Source: Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
Everyone loves a taco bar! Set a table with various ingredients like tomatoes, lettuce and avocados. Display a letter board to tell your guests how to build their own taco.
33. Cookie Wreath
Source: Two Prince Bakery Theater
Let all of your guests know that your graduate is a smart cookie with this cute wreath. Bring cohesion to the party by choosing cookies as your main dessert. Offer chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin or coconut macarons for variety.
34. Happy Tags
Source: Love the Day
This bright tag makes for a great addition to a favors bag — filled with anything from candy to a deck of cards. The cheeriness of the yellow tag will make guests smile all the way home.
35. Photo Letters
Source: Michelle’s Party Plan-it
Create a unique photo collage of your graduation by attaching black and white photos to papier-mâché letters that spell out ‘Grad.’ Your guests will enjoy looking through the favorite memories — from sports season highlights to hangouts with friends.
36. Cake Roll Diplomas
Source: Revel and Glitter
Give your guests delicious cake roll diplomas to enjoy by filling the middle with vanilla frosting. To make them look like real diplomas, tie a ribbon around the center.
37. Cap And Diploma Sandwiches
Source: Sweetology
These delicious graduation cap and diploma sandwiches are perfect for a graduation tea party. Use garnish as tassels and serve on floral dinnerware to tie the theme together.
38. School Color Treats
Source: Your Home Based Mom
Celebrate your graduate’s new school by using the school’s colors in your graduation party desserts. For inspiration, take a look at these sweet blue and white Oreos.
39. Photo Bouquet Centerpiece
Source: My Creative Therapy
If you’re looking for graduation decorations ideas for centerpieces, check out this lovely display that shows the graduate growing up. Select photos of sports seasons, school plays and friendly hangouts.
40. Paint Can Party Favors
Source: Party Pinching
If your graduate is going to art school, include paint cans as a cute graduation party favor. You can also add a cap and tassel to the top of the can.
41. Words of Wisdom
Source: Play Party Plan
A graduation party is the perfect opportunity to gather some valuable advice. Create an advice tree for your guests to write some inspiring words for your graduate.
42. International Cookie Buffet
Source: Polka Dot Chair
Celebrate your smart cookie with a dessert table filled with different types of cookies from around the world. Try macarons to represent France and almond cookies to represent China.
43. Diploma Cookies
Source: Oh Sugar Events
Rolled up chocolate cookies are a great addition to a dessert table. With a ribbon tied around them, they look just like diplomas. All your guests will feel accomplished when they eat one of these treats.
44. Chips and Dips
Source: Party Pinching
On your food table, display the graduation year on clear plastic cans or jars. Then, fill the jars with chips and offer tasty dips like queso and guacamole.
45. Yummy Diploma Rolls
Source: What Should I Make For
Create delicious diploma roll appetizers by filling wraps with a mixture of salmon, cream cheese and spices. Finish with a chive ribbon for flavor and style.
46. Candy Bar
Source: Shugary Sweets
Get your graduate excited about going out into the real world with this cute “The World Awaits You” banner. Hand make each letter out of cardstock and a pen.
47. S’more Sticks
Source: Big Bear’s Wife
Get pictures of your graduate, guests and other memorabilia from the day to decorate a shadow box. Have guests sign the back of the box with thoughtful messages. Your graduate can take it with them to decorate their dorm room.
48. Silver and Turquoise Scheme
Source: Jen T by Design
If you’re looking for grad party ideas for girls, take inspiration from this beautiful dessert table featuring sparkly silver and turquoise decorations. From your garland to your graduation card box, deck everything out in this stunning color combination.
49. Cute Grad Cookies
Source: A to Zebra Celebrations
Turn cookies into the perfect graduation party dessert by attaching a cute, edible smiley face with a graduation cap. Balance your dessert spread by offering cupcakes or a fruity dessert like chocolate-dipped strawberries.
50. Dollar Bill Caps
Source: Sugar and Charm
Fold up bills into graduation caps for a creative way to give money to a graduate. Your graduate will appreciate a fun gift that also doubles as an investment.
51. Graduation Cap Cake
Source: Catch My Party
Tip your cap to this creative graduation cake idea. Customize it by including school colors and a message to the graduate.
52. Graduation Wreath
Source: DIY Beautify
A graduation wreath is a great way to display fun photos of your child growing up. Be sure to top the wreath with a paper graduation cap.
53. Cheery Vibes
Source: Celebrations at Home
For a spring or summer celebration, aim for a light and airy color scheme. Blend together yellows and whites for a carefree vibe that delights guests.
54. College Pennants
Source: Jacolyn Murphy
Get your graduate excited about their next step with these college-bound cupcakes. Add mini college pennants using toothpicks in your child’s school colors.
55. Fortune Cookies
Source: Party Patisserie
As your graduate takes the next steps toward their future, invite your guests to look into their own futures with decorated fortune cookies. Fill the cookies with little slips of paper donning favorite quotes and positive messages.
56. Double Graduate Decor
Source: GreyGrey Designs
If you’re celebrating two graduates who are going to different colleges, create two food tables decorated with each school’s colors. Streamers, garland and balloons make for great, easy accents.
57. Framed Photo Booth
Source: Fun Squared
Nothing says party like some fun photo props. Get everyone excited to take photos with a balloon frame made of your child’s school colors. These snapshots will become memories for a lifetime.
58. Cheerful Color Scheme
Source: Ashleigh Nicole Events
Add brightness to your graduation party dessert table by decorating with cheery yellow sunflowers. Match your treats to the color scheme by offering lemon cookies and yellow-frosted cupcakes.
59. Happy Colors
Source: Party Patisserie
Add a pop of color to your graduation party by filing number-shaped dishes with bright chocolate candies. Include other vibrant colors in your decor — like yellow flowers — for a truly festive feel.
60. Beloved Blue
Source: Catch My Party
If you want your graduation party to have a serene vibe, cover some large props in mesmerizing blue. Add smaller accents like frames and table decor in the same color throughout your party.
61. Money Cupcake Toppers
Source: Lil Luna
For a creative cupcake topper, add an accordion-folded dollar bill. To make it graduation-themed, attach a cute sticker with uplifting words or a graduation cap symbol.
62. Coordinating Desserts
Source: Karin’s Kottage
Whether it’s your child’s school colors or a classic black and gold color scheme, easily incorporate your party’s colors into your desserts with frosting and edible sugar decorations.
63. Painted Wooden Sign
Source: By Sophia Lee
Let your guests know where the party is with cute, custom street signs. Decorate your signs in your party’s color scheme and add a few balloons to make it eye-catching.
64. Sunshine Treats
Source: Sweet Metel Moments
Put out a spread of chocolate bars in adorable blue and yellow wrappers that feature sun illustrations. These treats will surely brighten your guests’ days!
65. Outdoor Celebration
Source: After Orange County
For a rustic outdoor party, all you need are vinyl tablecloths, floral centerpieces and some candle jars. To incorporate your child’s school colors, add a pennant to each centerpiece.
66. Straw Accessories
Source: The Glitter in my Tea
Create a fun graduation topper for your straws using black cardstock and construction paper. Finish with a little gold tassel. Whether you’re serving sangria or lemonade, these accessories will be a big hit.
67. Frosted Cupcakes
Source: Brooke Lark
College is where the graduation cap plays the biggest role. Incorporate the cap as a symbol in your decor is a great way to recognize the importance of what has been achieved.
68. Memory Blocks
Source: Must Have Mom
Create a sweet keepsake for your graduate by inviting guests to write memories on wooden blocks. Your guests will enjoy helping you build fond memories and a fun, timeless game.
69. Graduation Party Favors
Source: Love the Day
Thank your guests for celebrating your smarty pants with this bright favors tag. Fill the bag with goodies like matching colorful gumballs and candy.
70. Garden Party
Source: DIY Design Fanatic
Create a garden on your graduation dessert table by using flower cookies and flower pot decorations. Accent with fresh blooms or fabric flowers.
71. Memory Board
Source: Homemade Interest
For a graduation decoration idea, try displaying a memory board with some of your graduate’s favorite memories from school. You can include other keepsakes like ribbons, medals and tickets to the school play.
72. Ice Cream Sundaes
Source: Claudia Crespo
Provide single-serve ice cream sundaes. Fill individual mason jars with a scoop of ice cream, and then add various sundae toppings before securing them with a lid and placing them in a cooler.
73. Weather-Friendly Locale
Source: Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
Since the weather can unpredictable, throw a semi-outdoor graduation party under a tent or in a garage. Whether it’s sunny or drizzling, you’ll be prepared to handle both.
74. Graduation Pendants
Source: Robb Restyle
Colorful pendants are a great idea for a school-themed centerpiece. You can also combine your pendants with bright flowers and photographs of the graduate.
75. Burger Bar
Source: Piggy Bank Parties
Burgers are a versatile and delicious addition to a graduation party. You can even make them go with your party’s theme by using creative and cute signs.
76. Colorful Cookies
Source: Gallamore West
At the end of your party, give your guests colorful graduation cap cookies to take home. Wrap each cookie in plastic and attach a clever tag.
77. Pencil Centerpiece
Source: Kristen Carley via Me and My Insanity
If your graduating student has some old No. 2 pencils left over from their school days, attach them to a pencil canister. Fill the decorative vase with fresh blooms for a creative centerpiece.
78. Cupcake Castle
Source: Circle River Creations
Use rolled wafers and store-bought chocolate to create graduation cap and diploma shapes for your desserts. Use them to top off your cupcakes and place them in a layered pattern on your dessert bar.
79. Framed Invite
Source: Frog Prince Paperie
For a lovely piece of decor, frame one of your graduation party invitations. You can also have guests sign the frame to create a wonderful keepsake.
80. Graduation Lanterns
Source: Daily Dose of DIY
Create some fun lanterns as centerpieces for your graduation party. Pick the materials in your chosen color scheme and add a cute graduation cap at the top to tie it all in.
81. Global Get-Up
Source: Polka Dotted Blue Jay
If your child is ready to travel the world after their graduation, use their dreams as inspiration. Incorporate globes, maps and adventurous quotes to nurture their wanderlust.
82. Luau Theme
Source: Vincent Camacho
Hula skirts, flower leis and a variety of island-appropriate food — up to and including a luau-style pig roast — are the staples of a great luau themed party.
83. Quirky Decor
Source: Grey Grey Designs
For the outgoing graduate, get creative with over-the-top decorations. Blend bright colors, patterns and feathers to make your props stand out. A custom party will be one your graduate never forgets.
84. Chocolate Treats
Source: Bakerella
To make sweet and delicious graduation cap candies, attach a small chocolate bar to a mini peanut butter cup. Finish with a colorful candy tassel.
85. Glittery Cookies
Source: Kristi Murphy
Select a sugar cookie or shortbread recipe to make picture-perfect treats. These glittery gold graduation cap cookies are almost too pretty to eat. The white tassel is a lovely finishing touch.
86. Photo Wall
Source: Tidy Mom
For a sweet and nostalgic decor idea, decorate your walls with photos of your son or daughter growing up. Your photos will bring guests right into the action and make them feel even more connected to the graduate.
87. Photo Wreath
Source: Yesterday on Tuesday
To make a lovely graduation decoration, frame a few of your favorite small photos of your graduate. Hang them up on a black cardboard wreath and place the wreath near the dessert or gift table.
88. Memory Jar
Source: Less than Perfect Life of Bliss
Invite your guests to write down some of their favorite memories with the graduate. Have them place the memories in a decorative jar. The graduate will feel the love as they read through these special notes.
89. DIY Picture Frame
Source: My Sister’s Suitcase
Attach a sparkly frame and a classic tassel to a small chalkboard for an adorable graduation decoration idea. Decorate your frame with the graduation year and an encouraging message.
90. College Color Decor
Source: GreyGrey Designs
Your graduate’s new school is a great theme idea for a graduation party. For inspiration, take a look at how this party incorporated University of Mississippi decor into their dessert table.
91. Dollar Dessert
Source: Maria Kang
There’s nothing we love more than cake — unless it’s a money cake. Celebrate your graduate with a bang by gifting them some cash for all of their hard work and accomplishments.
92. School Color Scheme
Source: Amy Hutchinson• GreyGrey Designs
Try providing some food items that match your graduate’s school colors, like this party that incorporated black and red tortilla chips. Coordinate your signage and other decor with your color scheme.
93. Candy Graduation Caps
Source: Made to be a Momma
Give each of your guests their own candy graduation cap to take home by attaching a piece of black paper to a wrapped candy. Finish with a ribbon in your school’s colors.
94. Vintage Style
Source: Adriondack Girl at Heart
If your graduate is a lover of all things vintage, adding a few old items like some hardcover books and a trunk will do the trick. Use them as decor or as a fun backdrop for your photos.
95. Lit Graduation Sign
Source: Queenie Eileenie
Add brightness to a graduation year sign by decorating it with white holiday lights. For a lush look, surround the numbers with fresh greenery and flowers.
96. Confetti and Color
Source: A Bubbly Life
Break out the confetti for this colorful graduation year sign. For even more festiveness, place gold party horns in front of the sign. The best part? The display creates a beautiful backdrop for photos of the graduate and their friends.
97. Photo Table Runner
Source: The Thinking Closet
Incorporate special moments you’ve captured throughout your graduate’s childhood as part of your party’s decor. Create a table runner or place a few frames on your dessert bar to celebrate your child’s journey.
98. Graduation Yard Signs
Celebrate your grad with a customized yard sign that will make them feel special and appreciated. You can display this at their grad party and have guests sign it for a more memorable graduation keepsake.
99. Graduation Selfie Frames
Make the pictures you take at your graduation party stand out with this personalized graduation selfie frame. Customize your own personalized frame that will give an extra decorative design to all the pictures you took at your graduation party.
Final Thoughts on Graduation Party Ideas
No matter which desserts and decor you choose, the most important aspect is celebrating the graduate. Create a photo book to showcase special memories and commemorate their journey. Display the photo book at their party and give it to them as a keepsake to treasure for years to come. Make this party extra special for your grad with these fantastic graduation party ideas. For more inspiration, check out our graduation ideas Pinterest board.
Additional Resources:
Shop Shutterfly’s Graduation Headquarters
Browse Graduation Announcements
Custom Graduation Party Decor
The post 90+ Graduation Party Ideas for High School & College appeared first on Ideas & Inspiration.
90+ Graduation Party Ideas for High School & College was first posted on April 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm.
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