Entertaining Series – Graduation Party Ideas

April 22, 2012 by 20 Comments

For anyone looking for Graduation party ideas, I created a theme for college or high school grads.   The “Keys to Success” theme combines “key” advice for moving forward in life, with an Anthropologie-inspired design aesthetic.  With concepts for a seated table, a dessert table, party decor & guest table, plus a recipe for “diploma” rolls, you have everything you need to get started planning.  Check out all the posts below for decorating ideas that would also translate for adult birthdays and wedding related parties too!

Anthropologie Style Tablescape

Dessert Table

“Keys to Success” Decor

Chocolate “Diploma” Rolls

DIY Favor Tags

 

For even more inspiration follow me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. Cheers!

 
Filed Under: CAH Styling, Entertaining Series, Graduation
About Chris

Chris Nease is a party stylist and home entertaining expert with over 15 years of experience. In addition to her work as founding editor of Celebrations At Home, Chris is an editorial stylist and contributor to Celebrations.com, HomeMade Simple, & Tablespoon.com. Most recently her work has been published in Woman's World, Yum Food & Fun for Kids, and Cottages & Bungalows.

Comments

  1. 2
    dg says:
    May 1, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    I love those Chocolate Diploma Rolls, really unique idea

    Reply
  2. 3
    Nancy says:
    May 8, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    The keys to success idea is perfect, and different from anything I’ve seen. Love the chocolate rolled diplomas too!

    Reply
  3. 4
    dg says:
    May 20, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Great ideas for graduation season

    Reply
  4. 5
    Amanda says:
    June 8, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    What a great theme idea for a more “grown-up” grad party! I also have to agree with many of the commenters here – love the chocolate diploma rolls!

    Reply
  5. 6
    Chris says:
    June 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Thank you all for such sweet comments. So glad you like it!

    Reply
    • 7
      Kelly says:
      April 15, 2013 at 10:17 pm

      Hi,
      I love this idea … trying to follow this theme for my daughter’s graduation party. I am having a heck of a time finding a white 2-tier cake stand for the dessert table. Can you tell me where you got yours?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • 8
        Chris says:
        April 16, 2013 at 1:37 am

        Kelly, that is 2 cake stands – the smaller one sitting on top of the larger one. I think Target has them in 2 sizes you could use. Also, World Market, or other stores with a housewares department should have them.
        Good luck!

        Reply
  6. 9
    Lanabird says:
    August 1, 2012 at 2:03 am

    I love tea parties.

    Reply
  7. 10
    Pamela says:
    May 2, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Love the idea of “keys to success” advice from loved ones. I’m getting it together now-thanks-I think it will be interesting to see what people write down.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Graduation Party Ideas – Entertaining Series — Celebrations at Home | Graduates Blog says:
    April 22, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    [...] Graduation Party Ideas – Entertaining Series — Celebrations at Home This entry was posted in Uncategorized by admin. Bookmark the permalink. [...]

    Reply
  2. Say Congrats to Your Grad with Fun Themed Party Decor! | Red Diamond Rentals says:
    May 8, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    [...] a little more original.  We love this “Key’s to Success” theme from the Celebrations at Home blog. The guests could write notes to the graduate on little key tags.  Click on the link for more [...]

    Reply
  3. DIY Favor Bag Tags — Celebrations at Home says:
    May 16, 2012 at 9:09 am

    [...] I use brown glassine bags and add a cute tag to the outside to dress it up {originally seen in my Keys to Success Graduation party}. All the supplies were on hand – except the bags – but you could use paper bags just [...]

    Reply
  4. Keys To Success: Anthropology Inspired Graduation Party | MLM Worldwide says:
    May 16, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    [...] from the style shoot and be sure to check out the complete Graduation Party entertaining series on Celebrations at Home. Keys To Success Dessert Table Tassle Banner and Fresh Macarons on the dessert table chocolate [...]

    Reply
  5. “Keys To Success” Dessert Table — Celebrations at Home says:
    May 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    [...] part 2 of my Anthropologie-inspired “Keys to Success” graduation party, and it’s everyone’s favorite – the dessert [...]

    Reply
  6. Pomp and Circumstance Season | Interiors by Monique, Inc. says:
    June 7, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    [...] thought this graduation lunch was a clever idea from the Celebrations at Home blog: Keys to Success theme. You can use their suggested decorations or make up your [...]

    Reply
  7. Party Design Basics – Adding Details To Your Party — Celebrations at Home says:
    September 11, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    [...] of my favorite editorial designs to date was the Keys to Success party. Inexpensive doilies {$1 each from the fabric/craft store} were used to top jars and keep bugs at [...]

    Reply
  8. Graduation Party Ideas – “Keys To Success” Theme — Celebrations at Home says:
    September 22, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    [...] I hope you’re inspired with ideas for hosting your own graduation or other celebration. See the rest of this party shoot for even more details here: “Keys To Success” party. [...]

    Reply
  9. Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas — Celebrations at Home says:
    November 7, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    [...] knobs {from my Keys to Success party design} make clever little name card [...]

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  10. “Keys To Success” Graduation Party Decor — Celebrations at Home says:
    April 19, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    [...] hope you’ve been inspired by my Keys To Success graduation party shoot. The entire party is pulled together using recurring elements like small metal frames, [...]

    Reply

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