How to Select a Graduation Gift

By: eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Research has proven that most graduates have big-ticket gifts in mind, but it's best to stick with what you can afford while providing a thoughtful or practical gift the graduate can use and enjoy.

Step1 Choose one of the top five gifts requested by graduates, if you can afford it: a car, money, a vacation (preferably to Europe), a computer or new clothes (especially professional wardrobe items for graduates entering the business world or starting the job-hunting process).
Step2 Buy a book. Choose something pertaining to the graduate's field of study, or something fun to read now that school is over.
Step3 Consider a gift basket filled with gourmet food items. For a college-bound high school graduate, fill a basket with college necessities such as notebooks, textbook highlighters, stationery, stamps, a prepaid phone card, etc.
Step4 Make a photo album filled with the graduate's memories. Include photos, his or her graduation announcement and program, and clippings and memorabilia from high school or college years.
Step5 Give jewelry. An elegant pair of earrings for a young woman, or a watch or gold tie tack for a young man, make lovely gifts.
Step6 Give a gift certificate to a music, clothing or book store if you're not sure what to buy. Gift certificates are always welcome gifts and ensure that the graduate can pick something he or she really wants.

Paying Tribute to Your Graduate

Honoring your graduate is the most important component of the graduation party.
If you have been very organized over the years, you probably have all of your photo albums up to date. But if you’re like us, family photos are in boxes and piles all over the house. Now is the time to start organizing your pictures.
Our personal opinion, don’t over do it. Pick and choose what really represents your graduate. Whether it’s academic achievements, sports or music, display their photos, trophies, awards and clippings from the paper in an exciting way.
Some people do one big “shrine” while others spread things around. Either way, it’s nice for people to see all of the things that your graduate has accomplished.
Don’t limit the pictures to just your son or daughter. Include photos of the graduate with their friends, extended family and “teams”. Your guests will get a kick out of seeing themselves throughout the years.

Scrapbooks
People love looking at photo albums, especially the new custom creative scrapbook type. It’s worth the effort to pull together photos of your graduate and their friends, teams and special memorabilia. Assemble a few select photos per event and design a page that identifies who is in the photos, the occasion and any other special information. An album makes a great gift for your graduate after the party. Or, have your son or daughter put together the book they want.
Don’t forget to leave room in your album for your graduation pictures.

Poster Boards
Some people put photos and news clippings on poster boards. Dress it up with their name, stars, stickers and cut out decorations. Your guests will love to see themselves and their names on the board with your graduate.

Posters
Hang up some poster-size pictures of your graduate and his or her friends and classmates.
These are especially fun if you're having a joint graduation party with 2 or 3 graduates.

Photo Books and Memory Books

Photo Books: Can't scrapbook or don't have the time? Consider making a Photo Book instead.
Memory Books: Use these to record special school events and activities. Some also have pages for certificates and photos.

Movie or Photo DVD
You may want to create a movie or photo DVD. A continuously playing “video biography” of your son or daughter from birth through high school set to music is an excellent way to share the memories at a graduation party. Most people have these playing in the background. They're fun to watch and are often a great source of conversation.
You and your graduate can create one together, using your own VCR or DVD burner; or, if you choose, professional services are available. Enlist your graduate’s help in selecting photos and music. Movies make a great keepsake and special gift for your child.


Source : http://www.graduationparty.com

Planning the Menu For a Graduation Party

( part 2 )
Tasty Desserts
* Custom cakes: Have you seen the new photocake? How about a custom cake made in the shape of a basketball or tennis shoe? Order one custom cake to display and a second cake to cut and serve.
* The fun is candy bars with personalized wrappers to give out to your guests.
* Smores at a fire pit. Provide several baskets full of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers. Have plenty of roasting sticks on hand.
* Ice cream sundae bar: serve ice cream with different toppings, fruit, cookies, and coffee. Its easy, fun and guests will love it.
* Frozen treats from your favorite ice cream specialty store, packed on dry ice. You can rent an ice cream cart for the day.
* Trays of your graduate’s favorite bars, cookies and candy. Or, use a cookie cutter shaped like a graduation mortarboard. If you have family members who like to bake, ask them to help.
* Fortune cookies
* Custom made chocolates: Order gold foil-wrapped coins with your graduate’s name on one side and the year on the other.
* Root beer floats were a huge hit at our friend’s party. She offers this time saving tip: Scoop the vanilla ice cream into plastic cups and freeze them overnight. Then at the party all you have to do is add root beer and a straw. You can buy a keg of root beer from the liquor store.
* Cheesecakes in a variety of flavors served with different toppings. For example: hot fudge, strawberries, blueberries.
* Buy lots of suckers in your school colors.

Graduation Party Beverages

The most popular beverage at graduation parties is bottled water. Stock up when water is on sale. You can use it all summer if you have leftovers.

Provide your guests with a variety of beverages to choose from. Here are a few suggestions:
* A summer tradition of big pitchers of iced tea, lemonade are refreshing.
* If you want to serve soda, most people we interviewed suggest liters instead of cans. It goes a little further, and you don’t have half drunk cans all over your house.
* Slushy MachineAlways provide water for your guests who don’t like carbonated beverages. Bottled water is very popular with high school seniors.
* Punch bowls are fun. Make an ice ring using one of the punch ingredients so that as it melts it will not dilute the punch. A bundt pan works well for an ice ring.
* Borrow or rent tubs for ice. You can put the sodas right on ice. If you use coolers, label them so people don’t have to dig around.

Source : http://www.graduationparty.com/graduation-party-menu.htm

Planning the Menu For a Graduation Party

( part 1 )

What are your graduate's favorite foods?

Keep it simple. Make it easy on yourself and serve five to seven different menu items. The most common mistake made at a graduation party is serving too much food. Read on for advice on quantity.

Dare to be different! After going to too many graduation parties where the same food was being served you will understand. We encourage you to be imaginative! For example, if your graduate is a pizza freak, serve pizza. It is an unusual open house item, and yet the number one most popular food amongst teenagers. Mix it up by serving some unique gourmet pizzas in addition to the standard favorites, cheese and pepperoni.

If your graduate loves desserts, have a dessert party that starts at 7:00 p.m., and specify “dessert party” on your invitation so people know to eat dinner earlier. Desserts can be made ahead and require little serving time. The bakery is an easy way out. Or how about make your own sundaes and banana splits?

Ask for help in the kitchen. Hire a caterer if you can, this is one party you don't want to miss! If you can't afford a caterer, ask friends and neighbors to help. See Ask for help. If you’ve agreed on a theme, be sure to maximize the opportunity to find foods that fit the theme.


Brunch ideas: A Weekend brunch is a great time of day to have a graduation party. You will get a great turn out and your guests will be hungry.


Graduation Brunch

* Make it simple - offer a variety of fresh baked bagels and a selection of spreads.
* Cook pancakes on a big griddle and serve them with different toppings/syrups. You can hire a professional to bring their own griddle.
* We all love frosted doughnuts! Order ahead for a quick stop at the bakery. You can even request frosting in your school colors. Be sure to have lots of napkins!
* You can prepare hard boiled eggs with your graduate’s name and the year on them and place them in a beautiful basket. Great for people on the low-carb diet.
* Coffee bar kiosk: Check with a caterer or the local coffee shop for service or supplies. Or create your own with rental equipment and supplies.
* Serve exotic juices, or use your juicer to prepare custom beverages.
* Serve fresh fruit in a watermelon boat. Cut your school logo out of the watermelon.

Afternoon and evening menu ideas:

* BBQ sandwiches, ribs or chicken served with cole slaw and chips, baked beans and a fruit salad. Tip from the professional caterer for the BBQ: If you want to use the grill, reduce your stress and precook your meat.
* Mexican taco bar: Serve spicy ground beef in a crock pot, and put the cold items (lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, olives, onions) in bowls floating on ice to keep them cool. Arrange the taco shells in a Mexican serving bowl or basket.
* Buy large bread shaped like the graduation year. Serve it with spinach dip or do a big submarine sandwich. Plan ahead on how you are going to keep the hoagie cool while it sits out for several hours. We recommend setting it on ice. Rectangle shaped flower pots can be bought in various sizes. Or a wallpaper hanging trough will do the job.
* Hoagie or Sandwich Bar: let your guests assemble their own sandwiches. Stop by your local submarine sandwich shop for inspiration. Or order a big variety to be sliced and served as needed. Keep the back up in your refrigerator.
* Cotton Candy Rent a cotton candy machine or popcorn machine. It adds a festive flair and the kids love to serve themselves.
* Salad bar and fresh fruit for the health nuts
* Oriental Food - See Hiring a Caterer
* Baked Potato Bar
* Pizzas – order them from a local delivery service.
* Swedish or Barbeque Meatballs
* Tortilla Wraps – ordered from a local restaurant
* Lasagna
* Veggie Tray

Source : http://www.graduationparty.com/graduation-party-menu.htm

Graduation Party Tips

Give the graduate a gift that allows for reflection on the last few years of school before moving on to the next chapter, whether it be college or a "real" job. Do this by filling a box with hand-written notes from friends and family verbalizing their favorite memories with the graduate. A picture slideshow or video message will also do the trick.

Personalize everything. The graduate may or may not be a standout student, but his or her accomplishments are worth honoring. Display photos of the graduate doing his or her favorite hobbies or activites.
Mix and mingle. Invite both friends and family to join in the celebration since both play a role in a person's life.

Source : www.mypartyplanner.com