How Much Did You Spend on Graduation Party?

[scheddj]

My daughter is wavering on whether she wants a graduation party or not. I've decided to offer her the money we would have spent on her party, which I know she'll want, instead of actually having one. I just googled average cost for grad party and it was $1500-$3000. Yikes, somehow I didn't realize it was that expensive for a back yard, non-catered open house. So my question is, do budget-minded people actually spend this much?? How much did you spend?

 

[goofyfigment]

My daughter graduated last year. We spent 250 on the hall, 175 for a DJ, 70 on cakes ( she wanted 2), 700 for food, 300 for beer, alcohol, wine and soda, and about 200 on decorations. We had approximately 50-60 people.

 

[disykat]

Maybe $250 for food and a cake? I'm actually spending less since we're doing a combined party for 3 graduates. We're splitting up the food responsibilities.

I'm guessing the price you saw included at least some of the food catered and some sort of venue.

 

[goofyfigment]

I should have added our food was catered which is why it was on the high side

 

[msmayor]

When my first graduated from HS I probably spent about $500 and did all the food myself.

When my second graduated last year, I had started working full time so went the catered route...best money ever spent.

We probably spent about $750 on the food (all delivered hot and ready to go) and another $300 on beverages and other supplies.

The greatest part was that all I needed to do was have a large empty table with a tablecloth. The restaurant I used brought EVERYTHING...steam tray racks and pans, sterno, all plates and napkins and silverware, serving utensils, etc. EVERYTHING I needed for all to eat. Plus, I got to KEEP everything...the racks, the water pans, the serving utensils, etc. Nothing to return at all.

The food was fantastic and for the first time I was able to actually enjoy a party I was hosting instead of worrying about cooking and getting food out.

 

[disykat]

oops double post!

 

[wilkeliza]

I have graduated both high school and college. For my high school graduation I'm sure my dad spent less than 100. He barbecued the brisket himself and my brothers made dessert. College we spent about 300 (if not less) between a fancy dinner out and the cookie cake.

 

[Arielle22]

DD1 graduated from high school last year. We had the part and my brother and SIL since they have a pool. We rented a bouncy house (DD really wanted one) for $200, cake was $300, decorations were 75 and food was probably $300.

Plan to spend similar this year for DD2.

 

[Callie]

My mom spent quite a bit on my sisters.

We thankfully found a person that allowed us to borrow their house with an in ground pool.
Then she had to feed 100 people, so we did a taco bar. Then there was cake, drinks, etc.

I'd say she spent close to $500.

 

[Emteach]

I would personally spend what you can afford. If you are able and want to do a catered event with a DJ, cake, etc. go for it. If not I think a backyard BBQ is a fantastic idea (or even a picnic area at a local park). I think a graduation party should be spending that time with friends before everyone goes their separate ways. For us on any graduation type party we would spend under $300 or so.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have been to a number of grad parties that have done taco bars. It was a hit. If you think about it a taco on needs a small amt of meat with is the biggest cost at most parties.

Instead of pop do lemonade, sun tea, water and such.

 

[runwad]

Ugh my DD will be a senior next year and I do NOT want to have a party. We have a HUGE Italian family and I can easily see it being between 1500-3000. I'd rather give her the money. In fact I'm going to try to tell her I'll pay her first year at community college in exchange for no party. We can still do a little party for just immediate family and her friends, that'll probably be around 300-500. Then there is the amount of money we'd spend to do all the things around the house to get ready for a party. The money would be better spent towards her college to have less loans. It's just a question of what's practical for us. But I have to get DD on board.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) When my two daughters graduated, we did not do parties.
2) We let them got to OTHER parties.
3) Afterward, we paid for a cruise for the daughter and her boyfriend.

NOTE: Far cheaper to send them on a 4-night cruise. Besides, enough
others had parties that they were quite busy through the grad-season.
Better to others spend for the party.

 

[torinsmom]

I guess I am a cheapo. I spent less than $200. We had DS's party at my sister's house, with stuff like chips and dips, vegetable trays, chicken salad, fruit, meatballs, etc. along with soda. Then I did a candy buffet which was a big hit. I collected candy after Christmas, Valentines Day and Easter and then bought what I didn't get on clearance on sale. No DJ, but I made a little slideshow of him from birth through graduation to the music of "Life is a Highway".

 

[goofyfigment]

I guess I am a cheapo. I spent less than $200. We had DS's party at my sister's house, with stuff like chips and dips, vegetable trays, chicken salad, fruit, meatballs, etc. along with soda. Then I did a candy buffet which was a big hit. I collected candy after Christmas, Valentines Day and Easter and then bought what I didn't get on clearance on sale. No DJ, but I made a little slideshow of him from birth through graduation to the music of "Life is a Highway".

We did the slide show thing too, I used my wish by rascal flats as the song

 

[LJSquishy]

Wow, I'm shocked people would spend so much on a high school graduation party. Isn't it kind of expected that your child graduate high school? What makes it a special achievement exactly? I'm all for celebrating it, but honestly $100-$200 should be plenty to spend on a party. Snacks, BBQ foods, etc are the most common. I just had a little BBQ, same as all of my friends. We just hopped around to each other's parties. I can't imagine wasting several hundreds or thousands of dollars on catering food, DJ, venue, etc.

 

[allison443]

Wow, I'm shocked people would spend so much on a high school graduation party. Isn't it kind of expected that your child graduate high school? What makes it a special achievement exactly? I'm all for celebrating it, but honestly $100-$200 should be plenty to spend on a party. Snacks, BBQ foods, etc are the most common. I just had a little BBQ, same as all of my friends. We just hopped around to each other's parties. I can't imagine wasting several hundreds or thousands of dollars on catering food, DJ, venue, etc.

It's not that it's an "achievement" it's more of a milestone. I expect my kids to turn a year older yet I still have a birthday party for them too!
I can't host a bbq at my house for my family/friends for $100-$200 anyway. Maybe I have a bigger family than you?

ETA I wouldn't have a catered event with a dj, but if someone has that, good for them.

 

[anniemck]

DD1 wanted a combined graduation/birthday party bbq... spent about $300 total. DD2 wanted a party at Ruby Tuesdays so that is what we did, everyone paid their own way and we all had a great time. DD3 didn't want a party or anything, so that is what she got. They have never been big on parties. DD2's wedding last month on the other hand was about $15k when it was all said and done, the majority they paid themselves with a contribution from my ex husband and myself. Then she had the party that SHE wanted.

 

[goofyfigment]

I looked at it not only as a graduation party but also a going away party. My daughter goes to college 1700 miles away, this was the last time a lot of people were going to see her. We had a DJ because the kids like to dance. I'm a single mom with a full time job so it was easier not to have it at home, it would have cost more and required more time than I had available to prepare. My house isn't tiny but its by no means big enough for 60 people.

 

[xCourxCorex]

Wow, I'm shocked people would spend so much on a high school graduation party. Isn't it kind of expected that your child graduate high school? What makes it a special achievement exactly? I'm all for celebrating it, but honestly $100-$200 should be plenty to spend on a party. Snacks, BBQ foods, etc are the most common. I just had a little BBQ, same as all of my friends. We just hopped around to each other's parties. I can't imagine wasting several hundreds or thousands of dollars on catering food, DJ, venue, etc.

Depends on the size of your family - I had my college graduation party in June and there is no chance we could've done it for $200 .. And it was a Backyard BBQ event .. We cooked almost everything ourselves, bought a sheet cake and rented a bounce house.. No hall, dj or catering but all the food drinks and paper goods were a probably a few hundred!