Daily Party Dish : Graduation Parties

Pink and Green Nursing Theme Graduation Party

Nurse, it's an emergency! I have to throw a Nursing Theme Graduation Party! My friend Tamara passed her tests, completed her clinicals, and walked across the stage to receive her well-earned diploma. So, of course, we needed to give her a graduation party she'd never forget. I chose a pink and green theme to tie in with her scrubs and chose a bunch of fun nursing school graduation party invitations and favors to match. I love the nursing party table I created - there are so many cute and quirky touches that the graduate loved!

Bubblegum pink and "scrubs" green were my go-to colors, so I covered my party table with a pink plastic tablecover and used green, white and pink crepe paper streamers to make a statement-making backdrop. (Just use clear packing tape to secure the streamers at the ceiling and the floor - too easy!) I added a graduation nursing school theme banner with a special message just for the grad as well. See Nurse Bones over there? I dug him out of my Halloween decorations and dressed him up in scrubs I found at the thrift store. Don't forget to accessorize with a dollar store doctor's kit!

I personalized my table with all sorts of delicious nursing theme goodies! My cake centerpiece was a snap - it's a three layer cake covered in white frosting. I cut marshmallows in half and used them to decorate the outside edge to give the cake a polished look. Then, I just printed nursing clip art on card stock, attached them to wooden skewers and arranged them on the cake. A pink stethoscope, thermometer and knee hammer from a child's doctor kit gave this dessert a fun touch. Some other fun touches I included:

Personalized Graduation Nursing School Theme Candy Bar Wrappers
Chocolate covered pretzels that I decorated to look like thermometers!
My mom (who's also a nurse) dug up some unused glass prescription bottles that I decorated with a custom label and filled with "Happy Pills" (aka Skittles)
Graduation Nursing School Theme Water Bottle Labels

I made sure to have graduation nursing school theme favor bags for guests to put all of their treats in - they matched the rest of my favors perfectly! I love how this green and pink color scheme turned out!

The highlight of the party table was, without a doubt, the lifesized cutout of the nurse in scrubs! I picked the tabletop sized version and got to choose between three different colored scrubs. Plus, they personalized my cutout so it looked just like Tamara! She loved it and took it home after the party as a special gift from me.

Check out more inspiration for a nursing theme graduation party below, and congrats to the new RN!

Posted at 07:30 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Theme Parties | Permalink | Comments (0)

Graduation Party Centerpiece Ideas

I recently designed and made these easy DIY graduation party centerpieces for a friend graduating from The Ohio State University! OH-IO! Of course, the centerpieces were scarlet and gray (red basket filler and tissue paper and silver Hershey’s kisses), and I just used glassware of varying heights that I had around the house as "vases". Plus, I based the color scheme of the centerpieces on our new line of Graduation License Plate Invitations and Party Favors. Check out some close-ups of my centerpieces below, and make sure to check out our Graduation Centerpiece Ideas for more inspiration, too!

Apart from these Graduation License Plate Invitations, I also used these fun (and matching!) Graduation License Plate Water Bottles to help keep everyone cool. Coordinating invitations and party decor really helped tie my theme together.

To make the centerpieces, I layered 2-3 pieces of tissue paper and folded them in half. I then cut the paper in 1-inch fringes that were 4-5 inches long. I rolled the tissue and stuck one roll in each glass.

Then, I added basket filler and Hershey kisses to each glass to cover up the bottom half of the tissue paper, making sure to let some of the basket filler hang over the rim. I grouped glasses of different heights together and scattered filler, silver bead necklaces, and kisses around the centerpiece on the table. Don't forget to fluff the tissue tops to add some drama!

Overall, the centerpieces turned out cute, and I didn't have to break the bank to make them. Enjoy decorating for your next graduation party, and congrats to your grad from everyone here at Party411.com!

Posted at 08:46 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Party Products | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nursing Graduation Party Ideas

Before your nursing grad dons their scrubs and walks through those hospital doors to save lives, make sure to celebrate their accomplishment with a Nursing School Graduation Party! I created an aqua and red nursing graduation inspiration board to help get you started. Plus, our new line of Graduation Nursing School Invitations and Party Favors go perfectly with the theme and can be personalized to fit any grad (see below). Make sure to check out my list of five graduation party ideas for nurses, too!

Photos from Top Left: Graduation Nursing School Invitation, Graduation Nursing School Theme Custom Cookie, EKG Sugar Cookies, Prescription Bottle Mint Favors, Keep Calm and Pass the NCLEX Sign, Red Velvet Cake, Nurse Hat Cake Toppers, “Keep Calm” Nursing Favor

Five Nursing Graduation Party Ideas

Fill oral syringes with red jello instead of using small cups. Guests will love the novelty of this fun dessert!
Scatter plastic bones and toy medical supplies on tables as centerpieces. Don't forget to blow up a few plastic medical gloves as "balloons"!
Hand out paper nurse hats as fun party wearables. Have guests take them home as favors, too!
On the sign-in table, display a pair of scrubs on which guests can leave well wishes for the grad with a permanent marker.
Fill fake pill bottles with pill-like candy, such as Skittles, M&Ms, or Tic-Tacs. Print a sticky label for each bottle with the grad's name that says, "Don't forget to take your medicine! Nurse Ashley, 2014."

Enjoy planning your nursing theme party, and congratulations to the grad from everyone here at Party411.com!

Posted at 03:42 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Party Planning | Permalink | Comments (0)

Travel Theme Graduation Party Ideas

As you begin planning this year's graduation party, start off by creating an inspiration board that showcases your theme, party colors, and photos of your favorite ideas. Check out a few of the great Travel Theme Graduation Party Ideas I found below, which use maps throughout all the decorations, including the sign-in globe, cupcake toppers, and more!

Photos from top left: Sign-In Globe, Graduation Travel Boarding Pass Invitation, Map Paper Garland, Map Cupcake Topper, Oh! The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss, Travel Tag Board, Graduation Travel Theme Candy Bar, Suitcase Card Box.

I created this travel theme inspiration board that includes our new Travel Theme Graduation Party Invitations and Favors! After browsing through mountains of party photos, I decided that the focus of my travel theme would be maps! Try to incorporate maps in the little details, like easy paper garlands or cupcake toppers. You can even make a bolder statement by using maps as table clothes or a backdrop to a buffet or gift table.

Other fun travel theme touches include using vintage suitcases as a card box or as part of the centerpieces. You could also send out ticket theme invitations, and have guests take home luggage tags as favors!

Have fun planning your travel theme graduation party, and good luck to the grad from everyone here at Party411.com!

Posted at 05:30 PM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Party Planning | Permalink | Comments (0)

Travel Theme Boarding Pass Graduation Party Invitations

Celebrate the graduate in your life by hosting a travel theme graduation party complete with a Graduation Travel Boarding Pass Invitation! Help the new grad “hit the road” and start their new life by including travel elements throughout the party, and don’t forget decorate your venue and send guests home with travel favors, too. (Check out our Graduation Travel Invitations and Party Favors for inspiration!) To help you get started, take a look at a few decorating tips that incorporate a travel theme below.

Five Travel Theme Graduation Party Ideas

Hang green and blue balloons along with inflatable globes (similar to a beach ball) near focal points, like the buffet and sign in tables.
Instead of a traditional sign in book, frame a picture of the graduate on vacation (with high school or college friends if you can). Have guests leave well wishes on the matte.
For table signs, use mini road signs of places the graduate has been/wants to go (i.e. Paris, New York, Tokyo). Another fun alternative is placing a picture of the grad at each location as a table tent.
For table coverings, use large maps. Place a clear plastic tablecover over them to protect the maps from spills.
Tie balloons in the party's colors to the handle of a small suitcase and scatter them throughout the venue. For the sign in table, leave the suitcase open so guests can place their gifts and cards in it.

Enjoy planning your travel theme graduation party, and good luck to the grad from the Party Girl!

Posted at 09:14 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Theme Parties | Permalink | Comments (0)

Owl Graduation Party Invitations

These sweet Owl Graduation Party Invitations are a great choice for your wise grad who’s heading off to bigger and better things: COLLEGE! Choose from a variety of owl colors to personalize your invite, and don’t forget to order some of our matching Owl Graduation Party Invitations and Party Favors, which include personalized water bottle labels, candy bar wrappers, and cookies! Check out a few of our other graduation party decorating tips below, which are designed especially for an owl theme.

Five Owl Graduation Party Ideas

Since owls are the animals of wisdom and learning, make sure to include books as part of your decor! Stack leather bound volumes as centerpieces and place a plush owl on top. Add a little graduation cap for a cute touch!
Instead of traditional confetti, scatter pine cones on tables for a woodland touch!
Use paper lanterns to create hanging owl decorations. Use black and white construction paper to create owl eyes (and some orange to make a beak). Make sure to order lanterns in your party colors, and hang the lanterns with white twinkle lights.
Hang an Owl Theme Banner at your party's entrance, which matches the invite! Tie in the theme by including wording like, "Look Whoooooo's Graduating!"
Fill tall vases with decorative branches and hang owl and bird ornaments from the sturdier brances. Have guests take the ornaments home as favors!

Enjoy decorating for your owl theme graduation party, and good luck to the grad from the Party Girl!

Posted at 09:06 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties | Permalink | Comments (0)

License Plate or Car Theme Graduation Invitation

Our new Graduation License Plate Invitation would be a fun option for a car or travel theme graduation party! Add a personalized license plate message, too, like “OFF 2 OSU” or “GRAD PRTY.” Your grad will love these invites, especially if part of their graduation gift is a new (or used) car to head off to college with! Don’t forget to take a look at some of our car theme graduation ideas below, and check out our other matching Graduation License Plate Invitations and Party Favors, which include personalized water bottle labels, candy bar wrappers, cookies, and more!

Five Car Theme Graduation Party Ideas

For table runners, cut long pieces of black fabric. Use white or yellow fabric paint to draw a street line down the center. Scatter toy cars along the "road" for some extra fun!
Group bunches of red, yellow, and green balloons (a stoplight!) at important locations, like the sign in table and buffet. Use hot wheel cars as balloon weights to futher tie in the theme.
Create a car theme dessert table! Place a "Service Station" sign above the table, and make a table tent for each car theme goodie. Mini chocolate donuts can be "spare tires"; chocolate covered pretzels are "chocolate dip sticks"; cotton candy = "air bags"; red licorice are "jumper cables; and small candies (M&Ms or tootsie rolls) can be "nuts and bolts."
Use the checkered racing flag pattern in banners, garlands, napkins, and more!
Go all out for your grad by renting or borrowing a classic car. Make the car into a photobooth by setting up a digital camera and tripod along with a bucket of props (hats, sunglasses, etc). After the party, post the pictures for friends and family to see online and print out the best, making an album for the guest of honor!

Enjoy planning your car theme graduation party, and good luck to the grad from the Party Girl!

Posted at 07:47 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Party Planning | Permalink | Comments (1)

Joint Graduation Party Ideas

My cousin Courtney graduated high school last year and threw a joint graduation party with her best friend Tessa. A joint party is not only a great way to pool resources and save money, but it is also an opportunity for the graduate and his or her best buddies. Since so many of you are beginning to plan 2014 graduation parties, I thought now would be a great time to post pictures and ideas for a little inspiration! If your grad wants to have a joint celebration with their best friend (or friends), take a couple ideas from this well-planned party, and don’t forget to take a look at our other High School Graduation Party Ideas, too!

Courtney and Tessa opted for cute personalized centerpieces that included pictures with high school friends. The photos were mounted on patterned cardstock and an inexpensive graduation spray centerpiece.

The highlight of the party was the long sign-in/dessert/gift table near the entrance. This long table popped with trays of delicious homemade desserts in the center, decorations in the grads' school colors (blue and yellow), and a little gift/sign-in area for each graduate on either end.

Courtney's end of the table included bunches of graduation balloons to draw the eye (see top picture) along with a card basket and photo albums filled with photos of the grad.

Guests especially enjoyed a photo collage of Courtney's school pictures. From kindergarten to her graduation day, everyone enjoyed seeing how she had grown over the years. A good way to get guests involved is by making the photo collage a sign-in book! Have guests leave well wishes and advice on the matte with a permanent marker.

On the other end of the table, Tessa had a space for guests to sign in and leave gifts, too! This space included framed senior pictures and a scrapbook made by her family. It's important in a joint party to make sure each graduate has an area where their family and friends can sign-in, leave gifts, and greet the guest of honor. Make each grad feel special on their big day even though they're sharing the spotlight!

Though each graduate had her own space, a joint cupcake tower in the center tied the table together. It was piled high with cupcakes in their school colors (along with cupcake toppers with the school logo). While cupcake towers like these can sometimes be expensive, parents of the graduates were able to save money and throw a memorable party by pooling their resources.

Good luck planning your graduation party, and congratulations to the graduate from everyone here at Party411.com!

Posted at 08:35 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties, Special Occasions | Permalink | Comments (0)

Medical School Graduation Party Invitations

The doctor is in the house! Surprise your grad with a medical school theme party to celebrate the achievement of becoming an MD! Choose either a Graduation Doctor’s Coat Invitation or a Graduation Scrubs Invitation to customize your party (and don’t forget to order matching personalized favors, too – check out our Graduation Doctor’s Coat Invitations and Party Favors and Graduation Medical School Invitations and Party Favors for our complete stock of custom cookies, candy bar wrappers, lollipops, and mint tins). When you’re ready to start planning the specifics, use a few of our themed decorating tips listed below!

Five Medical School Graduation Party Ideas

Fill prescription bottles with Skittle "pills" as favors. Tie a fun note that says, "Happy Pills! Thanks for coming!"
Above the buffet hang picture of x-rays, and display an anatomy skeleton as the centerpiece. Dress "Dr. Bones" in a white doctor's coat and stethoscope! Add a graduation cap as a nod to the guest of honor.
On each table, set out a game of Operation. The impromptu games between guests will result in fun photo ops!
Display a Graduation Doctor's Coat Theme Banner near the entrance of your event. On the sign in table, highlight a picture of the graduate in their white coat, and have guests leave well wishes on the matte. Frame the photo which the new doctor can later hang in their office.
Scatter plastic bones and toy medical supplies on tables as decoration. Find this inexpensive decor at many Halloween and costume stores.

Enjoy planning a medical school graduation party, and good luck to the guest of honor from the Party Girl!

Posted at 06:13 AM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties | Permalink | Comments (0)

Law School Graduation Invitations

After your grad has passed the bar, make sure you summon your family and friends for a party with a Graduation Law School Subpoena Invitation! This themed invite will not only make your guests laugh, but it will encourage them to rsvp in a timely manner (or get fined!). Check out a few decorating ideas for a law school grad party below, and make sure to take a look at our other Graduation Law School Subpoena Invitations and Favors, which match our new invites!

Five Law School Graduation Party Ideas

As table numbers, frame a picture of a Supreme Court Justice along with one of his or her funny quotes. For example, Justice Thurgood Marshall said, "I have a lifetime appointment and I intend to serve it. I expect to die at 110, shot by a jealous husband." The more funny the quote, the better!
Raid the graduate's library and stack several law books in the center of each table. Top each stack with a wooden gavel, magnifying glass, or brass scales of justice for a dignified look.
Place law theme signs close to important party locations. Near the bar, post a board that says, "You are about to pass the bar!" (referring to the bar exam) For the buffet, display a sign that reads, "You are on trial and must prove yourself innocent or guilty of hunger!" Near the favors, "Don't object to taking a favor!"
Instead of a traditional sign in book, matte and frame the attorney's oath for your state. Guests can leave messages and advice on the matte with a permanent marker, and the graduate can hang the framed oath in his or her new office!
Entertain guests at your event with a silly matching game! List ridiculous laws from a variety of states. (For example, in Alabama you are not allowed to have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time.) Have guests match the law to the state, and the player with the most correct answers wins! Use dumblaws.com to help you make a game sheet. They have tons of ridiculous and arcane laws listed by state.

Have fun planning for your law school graduation party, and congratulations to the new attorney from everyone here at Party411.com!

Posted at 12:28 PM in Christine's Posts, Graduation Parties | Permalink | Comments (1)

Daily Party Dish

Party Basics

Posts categorized "Graduation Parties"

January 31, 2017

Pink and Green Nursing Theme Graduation Party

May 21, 2014

Graduation Party Centerpiece Ideas

April 27, 2014

Nursing Graduation Party Ideas

April 24, 2014

Travel Theme Graduation Party Ideas

April 10, 2014

Travel Theme Boarding Pass Graduation Party Invitations

April 08, 2014

Owl Graduation Party Invitations

April 04, 2014

License Plate or Car Theme Graduation Invitation

April 03, 2014

Joint Graduation Party Ideas

April 02, 2014

Medical School Graduation Party Invitations

March 31, 2014

Law School Graduation Invitations

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