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Graduation Party Planning Tip: Not sure how much equipment you should rent? Plan on seating for 50-75% of your guest list. Remember, particularly if you're having an Open House, that not everyone will be there or be seated at the same time.
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- Plan out your party location.
If your party is going to be outdoors, rent a tent —it’s like buying weather insurance – the party can go on no
matter what the weather! Make it even more festive with a color-striped tent (there are many tents available in
school colors!)
- Decide on the type of party.
Open house with a few guests? Or 50-Plus guests? Daytime or evening? Breakfast, brunch, lunch dinner,
appetizers, desserts, snacks, cookout, catered?
Consider renting a popcorn or nacho cheese machine which can be filled up so the guests can grab a snack
at their leisure. Or how about an ice cream cart or frozen drink machine? How about a fajita bar or taco
station; wrap sandwiches in cellophane; or have circus snacks like popcorn, peanuts and hot dogs!!
- Video tape the party! Place the video camera on a tripod and just let it roll.
- Give each guest a white t-shirt.
Set out permanent markers so that they can sign each other's shirts. They may not want to have the shirts on
when signing if the markers bleed through the shirt on to their clothes. Or buy just one white t-shirt for the
graduate’s friends to sign.
- Write messages on the pages of the Dr. Suess book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go." (Great for Grad Parties!!)
You can use a large scroll to keep the diploma theme or place pictures of as many of the classmates as you
can find around the edges of a large poster board.
- Have a memory note station.
Set up "note boxes" for each guest, and paper and pens to write notes to each other. The teens can write their
memories of the other person down and stick it in their friend's box.
- Make a time capsule (Great for Grad Parties!!).
Have each person bring something that has to do with their years in high school. Place this in a box and give
to someone for safe keeping until their ten year reunion.
GAMES:
- Play pin the mustache on the teacher.
Blow up a picture from the year book of one of the teachers, your teen will give you an idea of which one. Make
mustaches out of cut out black construction paper. Place tape on the back of each mustache. Then the game
proceeds just like pin the tail on the donkey.
- If it's hot outside, a water balloon toss is always fun, (played just like and egg toss but not as messy).
Choose the balloon colors to match the school colors.
- Place the name of a teacher on a sticky label.
When a guest comes in, stick it on their back. They have to ask other guests yes or no questions about the
teacher and guess who it is by the end of the night.
Remember for Grad Parties:
Don't try to have too many activities. Teens love to just get together, talk and listen to music.


The following Menu Planner is courtesy of Gordon Food Service (a great place to purchase all of your party foods and decorations).
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Number of People to be Served
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Pounds of Each Food Group
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20 People
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5 lb
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40 People
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10 lb
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60 People
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15 lb
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80 People
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20 lb
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100 People
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25 lb
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120 People
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30 lb
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160 People
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40 lb
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200 People
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50 lb
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4 ounce portions of 4 food groups equals 1 pound per person
4 ounces of Meat
4 ounces of Potato or Salas
4 ounces of Vegetable
4 ounces of Dessert
Tricks and Tips for Memorable Parties