It may only be March, but the end of the school year is approaching quickly. If you’re the parent of a soon-to-be high school graduate, it’s time to start planning that graduation party! If it seems too early to begin planning, remember that if you’re looking to rent a tent, tables, chairs, tablecloths or other party essentials, it’s important to book early to get the best selection!
Planning a grad party can seem like a daunting task, but by breaking it into small parts, it becomes manageable – and even fun! We’ll share a few tips for easy graduation party planning below, as detailed on The Spruce.
Determine the Logistics
This is something you should do with your graduate: decide the whos, wheres and whens. Who will be invited – family, friends, classmates, neighbors? When should the party be held so that it won’t conflict with other grad parties? Will the party be held at home? Will it be held inside or outside? Because these decisions will shape the party, they must be made before any other planning can take place.
Decide on a Theme
“It’s a graduation party,” you’re probably thinking. “Does it need more of a theme than that?” No! What we mean by theme is the style and feel of your party. Will it be a formal affair? A laid-back open house? Will there be games? What kind of food will you serve?
Create a Budget
After the big decisions are made, sit down and brainstorm everything you could possibly need to rent or buy for the party. Do a little research and figure out ballpark costs for each. Do your current plans fit into your budget? If not, it’s time to reassess – either your budget or your party. Decide where to splurge and where to cut.
Plan the Menu
If you don’t want to prepare the food, decide on a caterer early – this will be a big part of your budget so it’s important to get the numbers before planning anything else. If you’re going to handle it, make a menu, grocery list, and detailed timeline for where and when you’re going to grocery shop and prepare the food.
Book Tent or Other Rentals
It may seem like tents and décor can be left until the last minute, but remember that all of your child’s classmates are also planning graduation parties, as are the students at every other school in the Twin Cities. Book tents and other rentals early!
Send Invitations
Depending on your guest list and the formality of your party, a Facebook invitation or Evite might be sufficient. If you’re using paper invitations, they’ll need to be ordered and sent earlier.
Whatever your graduation party needs, Broadway Tent & Event has you covered. Visit our online catalog or get in touch with our Minneapolis party and tent rental team to get started!