Simple Ideas for Hosting Your Son’s High School Graduation Party

He did it! Your son has completed high school and deserves an awesome Graduation Party to mark this milestone! The challenge is to come up with party elements that a young man of that age (and his circle of friends) will find cool. Quite a tall order, as parents of teens know! So we put together this planning guide with ideas and links to invitations, decorations, food and drinks, and favors that are sure to get high marks from your graduate. This post contains affiliate links.

Graduation Party Invitations: Photo Style to Sporty to Academic

Survey this sampling of graduation party invites to see what’s available.There’s quite a range for different teen boys’ personalities, hobbies and interests.

via Zazzle (*affiliate links)

1 – Gilded Photo Graduation Party Invitation

2 – Sporty Flag Striped Graduation Party Card

3 – Sporty 3 Photo Graduation Announcement

5 – School Chalkboard Invitation

via Tiny Prints (*affiliate links)

4 – Classic Graduation Invite with Seal

6 – Sparkly Graduate Invitation

Grad Party Decorating Ideas in Black + Yellow Gold

Take some decorating cues from these finds, based on a palette of black and yellow gold. Then, just change up the colors to match your own motif.

1 – DIY graduation personalized photo centerpiece – Teens just love seeing themselves in photos! Create this great memento for your grad, following the tutorial by Michelle’s Party Plan-It via Tiny Prints. Display it as part of a memories or guest book table.

2 – Graduation cutouts on sticks – Such a versatile decor idea that you can display wherever needed at the party! Great for making simple centerpieces! Available on Amazon.

3 – Ribbon garland – You can DIY this using satin and metallic ribbons, or you can order it ready-made on Amazon (*affiliate link). Perfect as backdrops for a dessert table.

4 – Treats table – Fancy up a display of fave snacks like popcorn, smore’s, rollos and cupcakes with this inspiration we found at Tiny Prints.

5 – Cutout confetti – For this occasion, even the confetti must be extra special. Order these mini 2017 cutouts on Amazon (*affiliate link).

6 – Grad party banner – Announce the good news with a large wall banner that could double as a “message board” for your son’s guests. Available on Amazon (*affiliate link).

Food & Drinks for the Grad and Guests

Teen boys do have huge appetites. But we figured you can’t go wrong with sure favorites, like those we chose here. The perfect setup for a buffet-style dinner or lunch party.

1 – Slider bar – More fun for all, less prep work for you! Just present the burgers, buns, sauces and garnishes as invitingly as this, spotted at Piggy Bank Parties.

2 – Drinks tub – Have guests serve themselves from assorted sodas, fruit juices and flavored water set out in a brightly-colored tub, as seen via Inking Pink.

3 – Graduation cap cake – Take inspiration from this cake by Gray Barn Baking. Keep it simple with a home-baked or store-bought one featuring a “mortar board” grad cap and a sprinkling of stars.

4 – Popcorn in DIY grad-cap jar – Make even the simplest of snacks “in theme” with some graduation props you can make yourself. A cute idea from Tiny Prints.

5 – Corn chip chili cheese dip – Chips are always a sure winner with this crowd. Glam them up for the party with a yummy dip like this one from Taste of Home.

Cool Graduation Party Favors

Take your pick from these cool gift items and color-coordinated packaging ideas. Just fill with teen-approved tokens and treats!

1 – Mint tins – Give out little tins like these from Amazon (*affiliate link), holding mints or other sweets and decorated with an inspirational sticker. Ideas for a co-ed affair!

2 – Graduation party favor popcorn boxes – Fill these containers from Amazon (*affiliate link) with your choice of goodies or perhaps fun college “must haves.”

3 – Pillow boxes – Tuck treats or small keepsake items into these handy packages with personalized sticker tags, as seen at Passion for Parties.

4 – Personalized square favor boxes – These classic black boxes from Beau-coup (*affiliate link) can be personalized to mark the occasion.

5 – Motivational wristbands – Just the thing to get your grad and his friends pumped for college! Order them from Amazon (*affiliate link).

6 – Personalized party Hershey’s chocolate bars – Make these fave treats special with customized candy bar wrappers from Beau-coup (*affiliate link).

Do you have other party ideas that you know your graduate will find cool? Share them in a comment below and help out other grad party planners, too!

This post contains affiliate links and Bellenza, Inc. will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking the affiliate links. You can find our disclosure statement here.