Keys To Success Graduation Party Decor

ByChris Posted on

This Keys to Success graduation party decor will blow you away with its unique creativity! This fantastic welcome table with party favors will give your party that WOW factor with its key display. Introduce inspirational words for success as the cornerstone to this party theme that’s perfect for the college graduate or high school graduation.

Keys To Success graduation party decor

This welcome table for a graduation party is totally themed-out with keys, locks and knobs, and has an Anthropologie-style aesthetic. It reinforces the key theme that’s highlighted in this Keys to Success graduation party and key themed dessert table.

I set this up so guests can write notes to the graduate, and pick up party favors at the same time. It all comes together with the addition of a framed key display that’s placed prominently as guests arrive.

And you can add even more themed decor with a keys to success balloon display to help make this space a focal point.  

“Keys to Success” Themed Decorations

When if comes to graduation party ideas, tables like this are placed where all guests will gather at some point. It can be set up near the entrance/exit of the party, or off to the side where there’s plenty of room to move around.

It’s important to make sure it matches the rest of the decorated space. This area is a lot of fun to create and there are a lot of little DIY details.

Keys to Success graduation party welcome table
keys to success key display

Framed Key Display

When I first came up with the concept of “keys to success” I knew I wanted to do some sort of display using all those antique-style keys I’ve been collecting. I decided on a display of inspirational words that describe successful business qualities.

You can download & print the inspirational words here. Simply print out on colored card stock and use a shaped punch tool or scissors to cut them out.

Add them to a framed board filled with decorative knobs, locks, and hanging keys.

keys to success decor
keys with inspirational words

How To Make It

  • Cut a large piece of foam core to fit the empty frame.
  • Cover the foam core with brown kraft paper or wrapping paper and secure it with tape on the back side.
  • Use a screw driver to pierce a small hole in the foam core so you can push the decorative knobs through. Secure the knobs on the backside by screwing on the piece that comes with it. You can find vintage style knobs at Hobby Lobby or other home decor stores. 
  • Download & print the “KEYS TO SUCCESS” banner on white card stock. Cut and attach to the frame using double-sided tape or pushpins.
keys with words for success display
graduation party decor
write notes for the graduate

Guest Table

Guests can write notes to the graduate sharing their own keys to success, and place them in a small drawer box that’s been embellished with a metal frame/bookplate and a decorative drawer pull. Gold scrapbook paper is fitted to finish off the look.

In addition to the notes, you could provide a sign in guest book for a keepsake of who attended the party.

graduation notes box
party favors box

Party Favors

Place party favors in a small garden tote box. Attach another metal frame to the front, using Glue Dots.

Use brown envelopes and dressed them up with a ‘thank you’ tag. Fill them with a small trinket or edible treat like homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies or easy lace cookies.

bunch of keys

More Graduation Party Ideas

I certainly hope this Keys to Success graduation party decor inspires you. The entire party is coordinated using recurring elements like small metal frames, antique-style keys, flower arrangements, patterned fabric, and printed pennants. With a few DIY details you can add style to any celebration!

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33 Comments

  1. Absolutely love! Do you have the template for the sign Share your KEYS to success for the graduate? Thank you so much!!!

    1. Hi Terri,
      I don’t. That was made on an old site that doesn’t exist anymore. You cold make something similar using PicMonkey.com.

  2. I am in love with all of this decor!! Fabulous idea!!
    Done very tastefully too:). Could you please tell me
    What you put in the favor bags? Doing this in May:)
    Thanks so much.

  4. HI:

    JUST LOVE YOUR IDEAS. I’M DOING A COLLEGE GRAUATION PARTY FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER, SHE LOST BOTH HER PARENTS & I’D LIKE TO IT REALLY NICE & DIFFERENT. THIS IS HER STYLE, THE ONLY REAL QUESTION I HAVE IS, “WHAT SIZE IS THE FRAME HOLDING THE KEYS & KNOBS”.

    THANKS FOR YOUR TIME & CONSIDERATION

    CAROLE

  5. Chris–trying to recreate! HELP! can you email me with details of small sign, banner, and tag ideas???
    Any help would be appreciated!!! would like to know what font too!!
    Thanks for your wonderful ideas that you so willingly share!! You are awesome!

    1. Hi Kim, the “keys to success” banner can be downloaded via the link in the post. The sign was made using an old site that isn’t available anymore, but I use PicMonkey for all the same projects – they just have different fonts now.

    1. Thanks Brenda. I got all the keys from the $1 section of Michael’s. They are actually there now (at mine, so hopefully yours too). They also have some in the crafting/scrapbooking section.

  7. Very fun idea!! love it for a graduation party theme…i am so curious as to what you put inside the favor bags? i love to have favors for guests.
    Thank you for such a wonderful idea,
    Robin

  8. Is there anyway you could e-mail me the text/font or actual document of the “Share your keys of success with the graduate”?
    Thanks!
    Chloe M.

  9. Hi Chris,

    How was the banner above the mirror “Key’s to Success” created? Was it stamped or printed?

    Thanks
    Vicki

      1. I am trying to duplicate that..and can’t get it work…no one knows how to print it… How did you get it done?

          1. I am working on this for my daughter’s graduation party 6/1. Can you help me out with how you did the banner?

    1. Thank you Angela. I actually collected mine over a couple of years, from Michael’s for $1 each {in the dollar aisle}. I was just there a few days ago and found a packet of 6 for $4 in the scrapbook section {where they have lots of metal embellishments}. Hope that helps.
      BTW, you can also do a search online for “vintage style keys” and find some retailers. Good luck!

  11. Chris- Would you please share where you found the vintage note cards? Thank you.

  12. Hi Charmaine,
    I got those at either Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, in the same section as the adhesive “locks” you see here.

  13. Hi Chris – this is simply stunning. I have been searching for an ornate oval mirror just like the one you used – any tips where to find one like this?

    1. Hi Vickie,
      I don’t know where you could find a mirror, except at antique malls and thrift stores. This frame is from IKEA (not a mirror though).

  14. Such a clever and fun idea! Love the “Keys to Success” – it’s so inspirational!! 🙂 -Dani

  16. Simply love the styling and the key’s board with inspiring words. Gonna do this for my daughters graduation party!

  17. This is such a sweet idea! Especially because I love hoarding old keys! I’ll have to bookmark this.

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