Graduation Theme Party. Graduation Day Open House Party. Invitations

Undoubtedly, the most common graduation party is an open house. With so many graduation parties happening at the same time, it is difficult to get everyone at your house at the same time for the whole day. The solution is opening your doors for a few hours and accepting the fact that some guests will have to come and go. The good news about this approach is that it can be the least expensive way to celebrate the occasion.

Well, like I said there are a lot of parties going on this time of year, and you'll want an invitation that's unforgettable to catch people's attention and make sure they remember your event. I think Party411 has a fine collection of graduation invitations, but I may be biased. This year we have over 20 invitation styles so you�re sure to find one that will fit your grad.

If you really want a unique invitation consider a caricature invitation. Not only a great graduation invitation but a theme to build your whole party around. To see how many ways your caricature can be used take a look at this caricature party package sample.

Use a graduation cap and write the invite inside. You can carry this look through and use mortarboard caps with shreds and graduation balloons to make your centerpieces. I always think it's best to personalize your invitation, so, if you're using a theme for the event, use an invitation that establishes that theme upfront. For a luau, use a tropical invite, for a sports theme use a sports theme invite.

With guests coming at all sorts of different times you're not going to be able to greet everyone at the door. Have a sign directing traffic out front. It can be a Graduation Yard Sign or a hand written blurb asking guests to come around to the backyard, or a cutout that serves as a great hello if the guest of honor can't be there at the door.

Graduation balloons are always a great idea. Fun, inexpensive and festive, they just seem to create a party atmosphere. There are many great styles that incorporate graduation caps as well as congratulations to the grad!

If you�re having any special events (cake cutting, toasts, games) or serving food at a set time, you may want to have a simple schedule of events posted to a bulletin board or piece of foam core.

What to decorate with? This is always a tough decision. Many of us face serious space constraints indoors (I've got a nice house, but the 95 people who showed up at our last graduation party would have been awfully cramped), and everyone is afraid of bad weather outdoors. The decision is yours, but a tent is a great way to protect against all but the most disagreeable weather. They're even good on bright sunny days when some folks will want to get out of the sun occasionally. Probably a good investment. If you have it outdoors, you should always be ready for wind (although it's pretty funny to watch Aunt Ida chase paper napkins all over the yard). We usually serve all the food inside, so there are no worries about wind or insects. Works for us, but you know your house best.

In or out, you'll want a table that fits the day. Paper goods are the way to go (haven't you worked hard enough without washing all those dishes?). There are some fun patterns available that you may want to look at:

Centerpieces can really add to your table. If you like the personal touch try a centerpiece from Party411.com. Or try any of these fine centerpieces from our friends:

� I really think a great touch is confetti with the graduate's picture on it. Check this out at www.photofetti.com.

Decorating outdoors is always a challenge because there's so much space. I like having focal points for decorations. Let's see, the food table, for sure, and the welcome area, but we already talked about them. I like having a table devoted to the grad. Maybe a scrapbook of stories/accomplishments. You've probably been keeping one, why not bring it out for others to see? Pictures of the grad at various times is not only fun, but a great conversation starter. And, of course, any awards, trophies or other accomplishments should be out.

Another place is by the music. Whether you have a band, a DJ, or play CDs, there's always traffic around the tunes. Some decorations to consider are signs, banners, and always graduation balloons. Here are a few suggestions.

With an Open House, it's difficult, and probably unnecessary, to plan too many activities. As each new guest walks through the door there's bound to be some excitement with hellos and catching up to do. These events lend themselves to conversations and reminiscing. Leave out a photo album or two and people will remember events and be happy to share those memories. Even better, set up a 2008 photo op and hand out personalized cameras to let your guests make some great new memories!

Remember, that graduation, more than just about any other party, is a multi-generational event with moms, dads, grandparents and friends all together. Make sure there's plenty of comfortable seating for the older folks and accept the fact that the kids will want to be by themselves. I do think it's okay to have a toast (although, in most cases, the graduate will be mortified), and you should insist that the graduate visit each table, but this is one event where the entertaining should take care of itself.

This really depends upon you and your family. Food is a focal point of our life, and all my family members would feel naked if they didn't bring some sort of food to any family get together. My two aunts specialize in pizza, so they bring some pies. I direct the rest to make desserts, and I take care of pasta and a salad. Chicken, we get from a caterer. Simple, delicious, relatively inexpensive, and all food that holds up for a couple of hours if you store it correctly (cold foods cold, hot foods hot).

If you're not as blessed as I am with a family full of cooks, it's fine to cater. There's bound to be a local establishment that will provide pans of food perfect for the occasion. Make sure you ask about whether they provide paper goods and serving utensils. Having an onsite caterer is always nice, but they usually won't serve for the four or five hours of an open house, so they may serve at a set time. If that's the case, make sure you let people know in the invitation.

Really, the best favor is a personalized candy bar wrapper. Everyone likes candy, it's a fun remembrance of the graduate, and the cost is low. Of course, there are plenty of other options.

The graduation products this year are great! From graduation year glasses (for great photos) to fun paper goods (you wash a plate and you've wasted time is my motto!) and great ways to decorate your home, party room and selves - we have it all! Check out our amazing selection of graduation decorations, favors and more!

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