Graduation Party Tips & Ideas

Graduating is a big milestone in life and throwing a party is a must. A party is the best way to highlight all that your graduate has accomplished and can bring family and friends together in unique and joyful setting. If you are planning a graduation party, here are a few tips and ideas to get you started. Remember, one of the most important aspects of any party is the food and beverage!

Steps to Planning a Graduation Party

Determine the Amount of Guests

Before you do anything else, you need to determine how many guests you are planning to invite. This will help you determine almost every other aspect of the event such as the venue and the food. 

Settle on a Budget

How much can you spend on the graduation party? This can help you choose the type of menu you will offer guests and what kind of décor you will be able to splurge on.

Pick a Date

The next step is to choose a date for the party. Do you want to host the party the weekend of the graduation ceremony? Right after graduation? Keep in mind that your graduate probably has a few other parties to attend so try to coordinate to make sure you aren’t hosting your party on the same day as other parties, if possible. 

Secure the Venue

Are you planning to host the party at your home or at an outside venue? Once you have the amount of guests set, the date and your budget determined, you can secure the venue for the party. 

Send Out Invites

Next, send out the invites to the party. You can do this by snail mail or via an email. Whatever you think is easiest for you and your guests. 

The Food & Beverage

The most important thing to remember when arranging for catering for the party is to choose the food and beverage that will appeal to the greatest amount of people. If you plan to have a lot of guests, finger foods may be the best option or you can aim for a buffet style. If you are only having a few guests, you can arrange for a fancier sit-down dinner or lunch. 

The cake is another big-ticket item for the graduation party. Consult with your graduate on what kind of cake they want, but also make sure it will cater to everyone attending the event as well. You could do a traditional cake or do something like cupcakes or a dessert station. 

Menu Options for Your Graduation Celebration

Made by Meg Catering offers a great variety of options for your graduation celebration. Below is a list of a few of our favorite menu items we think would work great for any graduation party.

• Guacamole Station: Guacamole prepared to order with ingredients including fresh avocado, roma tomatoes, finely chopped onions, jalapeno and fresh lime juice served with pico de gallo and house made tortilla chips.

• Domestic Cheese Display: Three hand selected cheeses, whole grain crackers, fresh organic grapes, and house roasted nuts.

• Tea Sandwich Display: Selection of three assorted sandwiches (view our menu for full list of choices)

Other popular graduation party menu offerings include: 

• Gourmet Taco Bar
• Premium Sushi Station
• French Fry Station
• Baked Potato Bar Reinvented
• Gourmet Mini Sandwiches on Brioche Buns
• Flame Roasted Kabob Station

Desserts

With our tray pass and dessert station options, guests can eat standing up or from a dessert station. Here are a few of our favorite options.

• Banana & Nutella Bread Pudding Bites
• Peanut Butter & Fleur de Sel Brownies
• Key Lime Tart
• S’Mores Tart
• Awesome cookie assortment
• Dessert Shooters
• Dirt Cake
• Strawberry Shortcake
• S’Mores Station
• Churro Station
• Gourmet Cookies and Milk Station

Let Made by Meg Cater Your Graduation Party

As you can see, we have plenty of menu options that are perfect for any style or size graduation party. We hope to craft a menu that every guest attending your event will love and most importantly, a menu that your graduate will enjoy. 

Feel free to contact us to set up a graduation party consultation to discuss your menu. As your premier Los Angeles caterer, we look forward to helping make your graduation party a smashing success. Make sure to check out our full menu here. Call us at (310) 376-8600 with any questions. We are so excited to talk our menu with you and to celebrate your graduate in the best and most delicious way.