Graduation Party Theme (Keys To Success)
Design a Keys to Success themed graduation party and celebrate the college graduate or high school grad who is looking ahead to the future. Done in a shabby chic style, this tablescape has lots of DIY details that are totally do-able for an at-home event.
These graduation party ideas with “Keys to Success” theme are ideal for a college graduate who’s ready to enter adulthood and the working world, and needs to know the keys to success for their next step in life. It also works for the high school grad heading away from home for the fist time, and even makes a fantastic bridal shower or engagement theme!
I was inspired by the Anthropologie or shabby chic style, and I love how all the elements come together for a beautiful yet relaxed vibe. Â Â
This party design includes three separate areas including this graduation tablescape, a coordinating themed dessert table, and a keys to success welcome table that really makes an impact! I’ll start with the seated dining table. This is always a great place to get your creative juices flowing.Â
Foundation
This table setting has a foundation of fabric, paper place mats, glass jars for beverages, and small floral arrangements. The theme is in the details where I used vintage style keys and keyholes as accents. You don’t want to miss this entire party which includes tablescape, and graduation dessert table, and a fantastic Keys to Success welcome table.
I started with a golden hued fabric with a cotton plant graphic which is both modern and earthy at the same time. I used less than 2 yards to create table runners for each table, which ties all the party spaces together visually.
For the centerpiece I used golden billy balls, white babies breath, and white hydrangeas to match our party’s color palette. These were divided among a collection of yellow vases lined down the center of the table.
Place Settings
Next, I had already spotted these fantastic decorative paper place mats and knew they would add the perfect touch to this table. They come in a pad of 50 so they’re a smart and savvy item to use for large parties. Plus they make for easy clean up!
The logical choice was to use my clear glass plates so the design would show through. You can find glass plates at the Dollar Tree so you can stock up for all your entertaining needs. Otherwise you can use clear disposable plates.
To bring our “Keys to Success” theme to the table I placed keys and keyholes around the table. I’ve been collecting the keys (about $1 each) for about 2 years, and have amassed quite the collection. The keyholes were part of the metal scrap booking/crafting section at Michael’s. Once the party is over you can use the keys as decoration in your home; just place them in a decorative bowl or fill a glass vase with them.
Quick Tip
When you know you have a big event coming up (such as graduation, DIY wedding, etc) begin collecting items you know you’ll need, up to a year ahead. That way your budget doesn’t get hit all at once. Stock up on plates, glasses/jars, centerpiece vases, napkins, etc..
Decoration Details
Use metal label plates as place card holders. These are another craft store item and I think they’re beautiful on this table. They have a slide-in pocket so you can add printed names on cardstock or colored paper. And they have side loops so it’s easy to wrap thin ribbon through to tie onto napkins.
If you find some without the side loops, just lay them on top of the place setting.
Another budget-friendly choice is to use canning jars for drinks; specifically, use wide-mouth 8-oz jars. To dress them up top them with a crochet doily and secure it with bakers twine.
The doilies keep bugs out of drinks, and the open weave holds a straw securely in place. As an alternative you could use small paper doilies and punch a small hole for the straw to go through.
For the center of the table a small wire cloche adds volume and interest to a small vase of flowers. Green mossy filler around the base adds more color and texture.
Pennants bring a collegiate element to the celebration. These were printed out, attached to wooden skewers, and inserted into the flower arrangements. The large pennant was a free download that no longer exists, unfortunately, but similar pennants are easy to find online or at the craft store.
Quick Tip
Did you know you can buy large heads of hydrangeas and divide them to get several smaller arrangements? It’s a great money-saving hack!
I hope these Keys to Success tablescape ideas inspire you to host and create your own graduation celebration in style!
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It’s just gorgeous! You are such a great artist.
Thank you for the sweet complement, Jaqueline.
HI CHRIS:
I FORGOT TO ASK WHERE YOU BOUGHT THE BIRD CAGE, & THE SIZE OF IT.
FOUND EVERYTHING ELSE. THANKS AGAIN.
CAROLE
Carole, I got that at Michael’s and it’s not too large. Maybe 10″ tall(?).
I am going to want to see photos of your completed party! 🙂
I love the golden hued fabric!! where can I buy it?
The fabric is from JoAnn’s fabric store.
Where can this fabric be purchased?
What craft store did you find the tiny metal frames/book plates? This party is gorgeous!
Thank you, Ricka. I found those at Michael’s, but Hobby Lobby & JoAnne’s has similar items too.
Thanks for your response! I will go look at each of those stores locally. I’m planning a tea party for my daughter, and these would be awesome for the table scape.
I love everything about this party! Where do you pick up your keys from? I know you said that you’ve amassed them over a couple of years, but I’m not sure where I should look for such things.
Thank you Meghan! I picked up the keys in the $1 aisle at Michael’s. They tend to get them in from time to time.
Brilliant idea! I love the keys and anything vintage looking. The color combo is awesome too! I’d love to feature this on my blog later this week with full credit to you, hope that’s okay!
When my daughter graduated last year, I went with a total non-traditional Daisy Shabby Chic theme! It was sweet and lovely! You have some wonderful ideas here…love the doilies over the glasess!
Chris – this party theme is just stunning. Thank you so much for linking up at my link party. Just to let you know I featured your wonderful project on homework today. Stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks again for linking up your project – have a wonderful weekend.
carolyn | homework
Thank you all for your sweet comments!
I love all of the antique keys! Perfectly done.
This is just FABULOUS. Loving all the details and the color scheme! 🙂
I just did a yellow ombre post and found this table setting as great inspiration!
Chris, you are such a pro at details. I adore the doilies over the tops of the mason jars and the little hanging tags off the top of the glassware is just gorgeous! This screams Anthropologie! Love. IT.
Thank you so much Brittany! You’ll see more of those hanging frame/tags in the dessert table! ; D
Chris, what fantastic styling. Any grad would be lucky to attend such a chic party. We love how you worked in the Cake vintage paper placemats, they fit with your theme perfectly! Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Tori! xo
This is seriously adorable!!! I love that fabric, I’ve almost purchased it a few times, ha! I am totally going to use the doily/mason jar idea!!! GREAT job!
Thank you for commenting, Carrie. So glad you like it!