Budget ideas for graduation party

[sl_underwood]

My dd is graduating highschool this May and decided she wanted to have a come and go get together at her grandparents home. Any ideas for budget friendly decorations and finger foods? I have never been to nor hosted a graduation party, so any ideas or experiences will be helpful. I would like to do it all inexpensively but I dont want it to look cheap, if you know what I mean.
Thanks

 

[Justsyd2]

Depending on how many people are coming:

Sandwich tray - pasta salad - relish tray - veggie and dip tray

Brisket - black bean and corn salad, potato salad, tossed salad

 

[lizet313]

When ever my family host parties I try to look for a Fruit or Veggie Factory sometimes they sell the fruit or Veggies Platters for a good reasonable price. I think I spent $15 for a really big fruit tray and an all pineapple tray. It was good because I still had left overs. You can also try to bake a big chicken or turkey or something instead of BBQ its expensive now a days for kids hotdogs or nachos. Do not buy soda cans buy the 2lt sodas. Kids have a tendacy of opening drinks and leaving them in the tables with out drinking too much out of it. If you don't want to cook you can call restaurants to see if they can cook for you in bulk and sometimes it is cheaper too. As far as decoration goes try going to the 99 cent stores.

Ps this might not be price wise but it is easier on my side my family has ppl of all ages from babies to grandparents. We have alot of nieces and nephews and young cousins. We rent a moonwalk to entertain them so my house is cleaner.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

We always do tacos. Easy... everyone can make their own to their own tastes. Put meat, nacho cheese and refried beans in crock pots and then everything else is just in bowls. You can have chips for taco salad.... soft and hard shells.... it just gives everyone a lot of choices and does not cost a ton of money!

Good luck!!

 

[cntrygal]

we are doing pork loin, lebanese potato salad, cuc/melon salad, ziti, meatballs, scalloped corn, bread/rolls. we have rented a tent, a bounce house and are renting a porta potty. i am continplating a second tent, and there are still tables and chairs to rent.

 

[MN_Gal]

Pictures throughout their school years are always a great way to decorate and relatively inexpensive.

I made trifold table tents and adhered photos of my son throughout his school years and used these as table centerpieces. I also brought up his scrapbooks and other framed photos.

We used the school colors for the tableclothes and balloons. We didn't decorate elaborately, but it was still festive.

For the main meat, we roasted several turkeys and then picked the meat off the bones and then reheated in chicken stock and served on buns for sandwiches.

You can also just do cake and punch or a candy buffet. I have also been to grad parties where they served the graduate's favorite foods throughout their life. Hot dogs & kraft mac & cheese, PB&J sandwiches, etc. This was always a hit especially when one of the favs was something that wasn't traditionally a "fav" for others growing up (One had sushi!)

Do what your grad wants and if she's happy that's all that matters!

 

[Kellydelly]

Do you mind sharing what your potential budget is? It's easier to suggest a menu that way .

 

[VAN]

These open houses can either be very simple or quite elaborate.

Some ideas:

visit the $ store for plastic tablecloths, party decor, etc. Your area's school colors will go quickly though.

If you have cold salads, meat tray, etc - purchase a shallow plastic under-the-bed box to put on the table. Fill it with ice, cover with colorful netting, and then place your bowls so they are nestled in the ice.

If you are doing sandwiches, you can go to Sam's Club and buy a big thing of ham and/or turkey (like they use at deli's) and ask them to fluff/shave it for free. Much cheaper than purchasing the meat at a deli.

Don't think you have to have lots of choices. In our area, there are typically lots of open houses going on and people tend to just stop in for a bit.

Do not serve alcohol .. this is your graduate's party and they are not old enough to drink. This also is just one less thing to worry about.

Either purchase can soda when it is on sale and then just have a big tub of ice with the soda in ... don't forget one for bottled water ..... OR purchase 2-ltr bottles and have ice and cups available.

Purchase a large decorated cake.

Try to have everything set out ... if you are using an outdoor area, I find it best to have the food in the kitchen just inside of the house but the beverages outside.

Don't hesitate to borrow seating/tables from the neighbors and/or your friends. Have the garage cleaned out in case of inclement weather so you can move the festivities inside.

Take lots of pictures!

 

[sl_underwood]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas. Thankfully, my grandparents home is perfect for entertaining and it will be held inside. They have an amazing great room just perfect for this. We are looking at maybe 50 guests, most of which will only stay a short time. I would prefer to stay under $200. We dont have to rent tables as we have several in our garage. My daughter is homeschooled and has no school colors but wants a tiedyed theme with lots of bright colors. I am thinking maybe tiedying some table cloths for the tables myself and buying bright vases and dyed dasies for the centerpieces. We have very few pictures as our daughter was adopted at 9, so we probably wont do pictures, except for maybe her senior pic. We also need to purchase a cake. My daughter chose a cake that has the tiedyed lookto it. Cake cost alone was $40 at our local bakery. I also think a meat, cheese and veggie tray would be good, maybe some spinach dip, any other ideas or recipes would be great. Of course there will be no alcohol, figure we would make a sherbet and gingerale punch, also have water and tea. Any ideas (especially creative ones) would be appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[bettyann29]

as far as the decorations.. Do you have a Dollar Tree near you?? I was in there the other day and they have all kinds of Graduation party decorations.. including plates, cups, napkins, table decorations, invitations, mylar balloons, etc.. and everything is $1!..

 

[sl_underwood]

We do have a Dollar Tree, will check it out!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

These cupcakes might fill the bill nicely.
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/family/feature/famf0700cupcake/famf0700cupcake5.html

You could do French Dips. Cook the meat in a crock pot and shred. Have rolls and bowls for the aus jus.

A few differn't salads and some fresh fruit.

These are cut too.
http://familyfun.go.com/video/how-to/feature/grad-caps-cooking-video/grad-caps-cooking-video.html

 

[riley2008]

We tie-dyed all sorts of things last summer. Instead of table cloths, you may want to get some cheap twin size 100% cotton flat sheets and cut them down to the size you want and tie-dye. (Wash them good without fabric softener before dying.) (Sorry if you already knew this. There is also a great Dis board with all kinds of crafty people with great advice!)

Oh, Land's End had some great tie-dye beach towels. (If you don't want to do your own.)