Graduation parties can be formal or informal.  In fact many just love a big get together with their classmates for a BBQ.  Barbecuing doesn’t require a big budget and if you are planning a graduation party for a high school teen, ask other parents of graduates to help pitch in with the cost of the party.  Make a list of friends to invite but be sure you have asked the graduate who they’d like to invite too.  If they are a typical teen they will change their mind a hunderd times before the party list is complete.

Graduation party supplies, decorations, and balloons will have to be added into the budget along with food and drinks.  And, don’t forget the keepsake graduation favors to give to all the graduates who attend as well as the party guest.  Party favor ideas such as graduation candle favors can be used as decoration as well as passed out afterwards as favors and gifts.  Graduation photo frames also make nice gifts for graduates and their parents and friends.  Gather old photos of your graduate when they finished previous graduation ceremonies such as kindergarten, 6th grade or when they received some other award.  Put the pictures in decorative graduation picture frames and set them all around the party room to display your graduate’s past achievements. 

Afterwards these too can be given to the guest and the other graduates who attend the party.  With a little planning and input from your graduate you can honor him or her in a fun, unique style!