12 Creative Graduation Party Decoration Ideas to Celebrate in Style - Peerspace (2024)

  • Date: June 19, 2022
  • Topic: Events
  • By: Peerspace

12 Creative Graduation Party Decoration Ideas to Celebrate in Style - Peerspace (1)

Source: Pexels

School graduations have always been special, but in recent years they have become downright magical, considering all the adversity that students have faced. Online celebrations are great, but in-person parties mean so much more now that we deeply appreciate spending time together. After the ceremony, consider throwing your graduate a stylish party, the kind they’ll always remember. Here are a dozen creative graduation party decoration ideas to truly impress your guests. Show the newly minted grad just how proud of them you are!

1. Decorate in school colors

Whether your graduate is a preschooler or a med student, decorating in their school colors is always in style. Festoon a display area with theme color balloons and an accent of metallic for gift tables or photoshoot background. Bright daisies in school colors liven up table settings — just use food coloring in the water to personalize white daisies.

Sparkly tassels are perfect accents. Ribbons with school insignia or graduation year add to the excitement and make great take-home memorabilia. Provide extra beribboned vases for guests who surprise with flowers — bouquets of roses are traditional gifts for the new diploma holder.

2. Rent a special venue on Peerspace

12 Creative Graduation Party Decoration Ideas to Celebrate in Style - Peerspace (2)

Peerspace is the world’s largest online platform for venues you can rent by the hour. There are thousands of Peerspaces in hundreds of cities, so you’re sure to find a perfect one for your event. To celebrate graduation, consider this beautifully restored old mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The rich natural woods and exquisite lighting of this historic mill are ideal for a graduation party.

Bring in balloons, flowers, and yummy treats, and put on some music for a cozy event at this amazing space, which also boasts an all-season open deck. Hosting at an elegant location is a great way to make your grad feel honored for their accomplishment.

3. Walk down memory lane

Display the graduate’s school photos from childhood onward. You might want to include “what I want to be when I grow up” moments if they lend themselves to decoration — like being a veterinarian, chef, repair person, artist, or scientist. Have a graduation “yearbook” photobook printed for everyone to sign. Display trophies, letter jackets, other honors, and school activity memorabilia.

For college graduates, include memberships in clubs, fraternities or sororities, sports teams, and social groups. Print a newspaper celebrating the achievements of the graduate for a wall or table display, and include a take-home size paper for the guest of honor.

4. Embark on a bon voyage bash

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Celebrate the start of summer travels or a long-awaited gap year in style. A traditional to gift graduates is a swanky set of luggage for their first adult adventures. Travel-themed graduation party decoration ideas can include vintage luggage stickers, iconic photos of bucket list destinations, and foreign language phrases to engage guests. If tickets abroad are a gift from family, present them at the party and make a display with maps and destination.

In case your grad is launching their adventures from a New York City airport, celebrate at a nearby elegant Peerspace venue for a proper sendoff. This upscale brownstone with a garden in Crown Heights, New York, features a crystal chandelier and a tasteful mix of vintage and midcentury modern décor. Your party will have a timeless atmosphere perfect for celebrating your world traveler.

5. Go bowling

Book a vibrant group activity event space like this private 1930s bowling alley in St. Paul, Minnesota. Celebrate the graduate by playing together, and enjoy the reunion before life carries the guest of honor to their next big thing. Decorate the tables with simple florals and metallic starbursts. Set out score cards with graduation info on the back for a take-home memento.

6. Film your memories together

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Go pro with the photoshoot and film the party at a well-equipped Peerspace venue like this gorgeous photo studio in Seattle, Washington. Its abundant natural light — when its sunny, anyway — can be filtered with adjustable with blackout curtains. The hosts can provide other amenities you might desire. Decorations can be simple — just scatter some caps and gowns.

7. Snap sports photo

Celebrate athletic graduates with a media-ready party to highlight their past and hoped-for future accomplishments. Set up a pro-level photoshoot for the entire team at this spacious warehouse studio in downtown Houston, Texas. The space offers plenty of room for an epic blowout event. Decorate with team regalia and balloons and set up a catered feast. Let the wild rumpus begin!

8. Sing it out

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Host a karaoke-style party that includes school songs or cheers, marching band music, choir singing, or other tunes that honor a musical student’s passions. Or enjoy a concert party with that live garage band or a string quartet.

The soiree can take place at a venue with stage and professional sound equipment to record in style like this live music venue in Chicago, Illinois, with plenty of amenities like a dance floor and a full bar by arrangement.

9. Host a mascot masquerade

This is one of those graduation party decoration ideas that might not be ideal if your graduate’s school mascot is an aggie, but pretty much any other mascot will lend itself to a fun theme party. For example, if your grad is from the University of Akron in Ohio, you get to decorate with Zippy the Kangaroo themes. And if the new alma mater is the University of California, Santa Cruz, go wild with the banana slugs.

10. Celebrate giving back

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Grads who achieved a volunteer or service-based project as part of their school experience will love a party that honors their contributions. Share a slideshow or video of their accomplishments and what they’ve given to their community. Have the graduates speak about their experiences and share what they have learned. This event is bound to be an inspiration for guests of all ages.

11. Explore the digital frontier

Homeschooled and online education students seldom get a big graduation party. Why not change that for them, while keeping the celebration online? Classmates and guests can attend virtually from anywhere in the world. Fun graduation party decoration ideas abound!

Host at a Peerspace that is fully equipped for your party like this cool media event venue in Ashford Park, Georgia, about a half-hour outside Atlanta. This site features an indoor-and-outdoor event space, and it can easily adapt to simulcasts of the venue, ensuring guests near and far will be part of the action in real time.

12. Meet the professional

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Honor students who already have a plan to go right into vocational training, college, or graduate school, or even a post-doctorate project or medical residency. Include themes or items representing the grad’s passions or chosen profession.

A light-hearted and fun party will serve as a distraction before they dive back into their education. Graduation party decoration ideas can include posters with the grad in their professional settings or attire, toy equipment like stethoscopes for medical students, and printed mock diplomas to inspire future goals.

Find unique party venues on Peerspace

12 Creative Graduation Party Decoration Ideas to Celebrate in Style - Peerspace (2024)

FAQs

How to throw an awesome graduation party? ›

How to Throw the Best Graduation Party
  1. Choose a Fun Venue. ...
  2. Give Your Graduation Party a Theme. ...
  3. Send Personalized Graduation Party Invitations. ...
  4. Decorate Your Venue in Style. ...
  5. Plan a Delicious Menu. ...
  6. Capture the Graduation Celebration in Photos. ...
  7. Celebrate Your Grad's Achievements. ...
  8. Make a Toast to the New Grad.
Aug 7, 2023

How do you decorate a large space for a party? ›

Using trees, vines, and large floral arrangements to divide the space gives guests a natural feeling of closeness. A unique way to divide spaces is by using fountains. They bring a sense of the outdoors in and make a space feel fresh. Don't forget to balance out all that texture with good lighting!

What are the dry grad ideas? ›

Some popular dry grad entertainment ideas include live music, photo booths, inflatable games (such as Obstacle Course, Gladiator Joust and Sumo Wrestling), swimming and other sports, magicians, fortune tellers or hypnotists.

How much money is appropriate for a graduation party? ›

Distant relatives or friends usually send around $15 - $20, while close friends and relatives more commonly send around the $20 - $50 mark. Some families and family friends may choose to spend closer to $100 - $500, depending on their finances and the needs of the graduate.

How many hours should a graduation party be? ›

It can be planned for directly after the graduation or held a few days (even weeks) afterward. Typically you do not host this party prior to graduation. This party can be structured as a typical party (about 2-4 hours) with a start time or as an open house where guests can come and go as they please.

How can I decorate my party for cheap? ›

Inexpensive Party Decorations
  1. Balloons.
  2. Paper lanterns.
  3. Mason jars or assorted glass bottles filled with candles, tea lights, or fairy lights.
  4. Paper streamers.
  5. Freshly cut flowers and foliage from the garden.
  6. Outdoor holiday decor you already have for Halloween or Fourth of July.
  7. Pool inflatables.
Apr 3, 2023

How to decorate for a party without using walls? ›

You could always set it up over a buffet table or sign in table. Add streamers/bows to the tablecloths. Weighted balloons on the floor. Bring in a kids' two-sided easel or chalkboard and decorate that.

How do you make a cheap venue look expensive? ›

We'll get into specific tips further down, but the key to making a budget venue look expensive is to choose a theme and stick to it. By introducing a coherent color palette and style, you can transform any space into a more luxurious venue. This doesn't have to be super expensive, either.

How can I make my party look expensive? ›

How to Fake an Expensive Dinner Party
  1. Hide Your Ugly Table.
  2. Pick Up Some Chic Disposable Place Settings. ...
  3. If You Want Real Plates, Find Interesting Ones. ...
  4. Use Proper Glasses. ...
  5. Mood Lighting Hides Everything. ...
  6. Make a Really Good-looking Cheese Plate. ...
  7. Serve One Spectacular Dish. ...
  8. Gold Spray Paint Is Your Friend.
May 25, 2016

How do you make a party look nice? ›

With the below party decor ideas, the answer will certainly be no one.
  1. Light candles to create an intimate space. ...
  2. Decorative buffet. ...
  3. Make dessert a centerpiece. ...
  4. Spruce up your food table. ...
  5. Brighten up the space with fresh flowers. ...
  6. Turn your wall into a photo booth. ...
  7. Add some garland. ...
  8. Create your own personalized barware.
Nov 5, 2021

How do you honor a loved one at a graduation party? ›

On Graduation Day
  1. Button pin with the name of the loved one or their favorite saying.
  2. A piece of jewelry (necklace or bracelet) with the person's engraved name.
  3. The parent or sibling's shirt worn under their gown, if allowed.
  4. Pin their loved one's favorite flower on their outer garment or hair.
Apr 30, 2024

What to serve for drinks at a graduation party? ›

5 Creative Drink Ideas to Celebrate Your Graduation in Style
  • Scholar's Sangria. A refreshing and fruity sangria that embodies the spirit of celebration.
  • Cap and Gown Margarita. ...
  • Honor Roll Mojito. ...
  • Summa Cum Laude Punch. ...
  • Valedictorian's Velvet.

What is the most common graduation gift? ›

Cash is still king, and as much as your graduate will appreciate it, it may feel impersonal to you. You could gift them money for a specific need they'll have in their newfound adulthood. For instance, taking care of a licensing fee or helping them with housing is extremely thoughtful and practical.

How do you make a graduation ceremony fun? ›

10 Unique Graduation Day Ideas
  1. Play the Congratulations Video on the Screens. ...
  2. Stage Up Photo Booths. ...
  3. Gamify the Ceremony. ...
  4. Display Social Walls. ...
  5. Be Thematic. ...
  6. Set Up Slideshow Screens. ...
  7. Give a Graduation-Specific Hashtag. ...
  8. Karaoke Stage.
Apr 11, 2024

How do you emcee a graduation party? ›

Speaker and author Kwesi Millington offers the following seven tips for being a great event emcee:
  1. Know the Agenda. ...
  2. Keep Your Energy High. ...
  3. Memorize Your Opening. ...
  4. Learn About the Other Speakers. ...
  5. Always Be Communicating. ...
  6. Interact with the Audience. ...
  7. Close with Inspiration.

How do you throw a graduation party on a budget? ›

Smart ways to save on a graduation party
  1. Set a realistic budget. ...
  2. Co-host the event. ...
  3. Choose a theme that gives you room to get creative. ...
  4. Limit your guest list to close family and friends. ...
  5. Choose a low-cost venue like someone's home or backyard. ...
  6. Send e-vites instead of paper invitations. ...
  7. Keep decorations to a minimum.

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