Fete Files: Chic Grad Party

After the stresses of finals and graduation are over, the last thing you (or your parents) want to worry about is breaking the bank on your graduation party. Save some major bucks by throwing your party outside in your backyard  or at a local park, instead of spending a few hundred on renting a banquet hall.

Invite your closest family members and friends over for a backyard barbecue in honor of your achievement. Entertain your friends with cost friendly games such as volleyball, horseshoes or whiffle ball, while your family members sit back and enjoy the food, sun and celebration. 

INVITATIONS ONLY

Get in touch with your crafty side for your invitations. Give each invitation an intimate touch by scanning photos of you and your friends or family. Everyone will be able to receive an invitation meant especially for him or her, with no cost necessary (other than printing paper, of course).

Also, if you're looking to go with more of a generic and time-friendly invite, go to paperstyle.com for fabulous invites, with an average cost of $12 per pack of 10

Source:  www.paperstyle.com

BBQ BLISS 

No backyard barbecue is complete without hamburgers, hot-dogs, chips and dip. Stick to your budget by buying products in bulk. Shop at stores like Costco or Sam’s Club to get more food for less. Also, try spicing up your BBQ with some spicy buffalo wings, which can also be purchased in bulk.

For dessert, dazzle your guests with a homemade cake relating to your major. For my grad party, my mom baked a cake looking like the front page of the newspaper to go along with my degree in Journalism. 

Source: http://www.lisashea.com/lisabase/desserts/art926.html 

SWEET SLURPS 

Add a little flavor to your party by serving drinks in honor of the graduate herself!

The Graduate 

Juice of 1/2 lime, freshly squeezed

1/2 oz. Amaretto almond liquer    

1 1/2 oz. Southern Comfort® peach liquer    

1 oz. pineapple juice.  

Sweeten up your drink even more by adding a slice of pineapple to accentuate the flavor. 

For those under 21, replace the Amaretto and Southern Comfort with fruit-flavored seltzer water and sparkling cider.  

(Sweet slurp suggestion via evite.com) 

Source: http://www.evite.com/app/cms/ideas/graduation-party

DAZZLING DÉCOR 

Stick to your intimate theme by decorating each table with picture frames as the centerpiece. Some tables can display a photo of you and your family, while others can serve as a walk down memory lane with some of your closest college friends. The pictures will make for a great way to break the ice and avoid the dreadful awkward silence that often occurs when friends and family meet.  

If you’re willing to splurge a little, check out personalizationmall.com for some fabulous frames. The average frame ranges between $25 and $50. Prices may be a bit more than you’re looking to spend, but this little splurge will surely dazzle your guests. 

Source: http://www.personalizationmall.com

SAY THANK YOU WITH STYLE 
 
We all know that graduation parties bring in some major cash. Thank all of your guests on their way out, and what better way to finish off a grad party than to hand out diplomas! Show your appreciation by providing your guests with a mock diploma. You can create these yourself with a pen, paper and some ribbon. 

Most importantly, enjoy your party with some fun in the sun with your favorite fam and friends! 

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