The chaos of running from
store to store collecting
graduation party supplies
can be overwhelming to a
busy parent. These services
take the hassle out of party
hosting and bring the party
to you:
Posh Party Boxes
This company "takes the
guesswork and the legwork
out of arranging the perfect
party by supplying party
essentials in a single
glossy gift box that arrives
directly at your doorstep,"
according to the Web site.
Their latest creation is a
Pomp and Circumstance Box
that includes invitations,
thank-you notes, velvet
memory book favors,
candleholders, indoor and
outdoor banners, decorations
and tableware. A special
gift for the guest of honor
can be ordered separately.
FunPrint Events is a
party-planning service based
on an all-inclusive themed
experience. Everything from
custom-designed,
personalized invitations;
themed decorations and
music; coordinating
tableware; set up; clean up
and even a party supervisor
that helps entertain the
children and serve
refreshments are included.
FunPrintEvents.com
614-306-0169
GraduationParty.com
Based on the research from
their first book,
Graduation: Celebrate with
Style! A Graduation Party
Planning Guide, authors Mary
J. Anderson and Ginger
Venable have expanded their
findings into a
comprehensive Web site.
Party hosts can order
invitations, thank-you
notes, graduation gifts and
even scrapbook paper for the
special day. Menu ideas,
party checklists, party
calculator and rental guides
also are available.
Kelsey Bailey, a soon-to-be
2007 Westerville Central
graduate, has a lot on her
mind these days: school,
cheerleading, what to wear
to senior prom and how to
keep in touch with friends
when she attends an
out-of-state college next
year.
And though her schedule
remains full through the
conclusion of her senior
year, another question must
be added to the
already-filled agenda. How
does one properly celebrate
the achievements of the last
18 years?
Graduation is a special
milestone in that it not
only marks the completion of
a student's coursework but
also represents the bridging
from one chapter of a
student's life to another.
Parties that celebrate this
rite of passage can be as
simple as an intimate
gathering with close family
and friends or as
all-encompassing as a
neighborhood blowout with
caterers and entertainers.
Regardless of the scale,
most graduation parties
require some degree of
preparation and thought.
Though some start thinking
up to four months in
advance, others plan on the
fly. There are some simple
steps you can take to host
one that both you and your
child will look back on with
fond memories.
The key to a successful
party is to allow the
graduate to choose
celebration details such as
location, size and menu,
said Ginger Venable,
coauthor of Graduation:
Celebrate with Style! The
Graduation Planning Guide.
"We really encourage you to
do what the graduate wants,"
Venable said. "They are the
guest of honor. If the child
tells you he doesn't want
the party to be a big deal,
listen. A small group of 15
for dinner is appropriate if
that's what the graduate
wants."
Kelly Galindo, owner of
FunPrint Events, a themed
children's party-planning
service, agrees even a
kindergarten or elementary
graduation party would
benefit from the input of
the graduate.
"Talk to the child," Galindo
said. "It's important to
consider the needs of the
guest of honor. Each of my
parties is very
individualized -- the theme
and personalization are
key."
When you and your child
begin discussing a location,
consider the many available
options.
Though most people host
parties in their homes,
Venable suggests parks,
country clubs and banquet
halls as refreshingly
different atmospheres. These
locales help parents or
hosts avoid the hassle of
preparty cleaning, etc.
Central Ohio offers some
unique options in Pump It Up
and Magic Mountain Fun
Centers.
Pump It Up, located in Plain
City, includes two
climate-controlled arenas
with inflatable play
structures, which are
appropriate for both younger
and older children's
graduation parties.
"Parents and kids alike can
play on the inflatables
because they're so huge,"
said Pump It Up Manager
Denise Sheppard.
Sheppard said privacy on the
inflatables and in the party
room is the No. 1 reason
people want to have parties
at Pump It Up.
"People of all ages can have
fun. All you have to do is
send out the invitations,
show up and have a grand ol'
time," Sheppard said.
Magic Mountain Fun Center
boasts two Columbus-area
locations. Parties include
private rooms with pizza as
well as arcade games, bumper
cars, putt-putt golf,
go-karts, laser tag and
activities for all ages.
"We've had some graduating
kindergarten classes, which
generally include a pizza
party and activity," said
Kevin Denny, director of
marketing for Magic
Mountain.
"One middle school does an
overnight party and has for
about six years now. It's a
chance for all of them to be
together and have fun before
they leave to become
freshmen at the high
school," Denny said.
And, the location -- onsite
or at home -- can either
make or break a budget.
Galindo suggests anyone
planning a party create a
financial plan and stick to
it.
"It's so much easier if they
have a budget and a plan,"
she said. "The best way to
stay under budget is to shop
around and research. Get a
notebook and keep track of
costs and ideas."
Consider teaming up with
another graduate's family to
combine the festivities. You
both will save because you
can split the costs and many
party supplies are sold in
bulk.
The average Midwestern
graduation party costs
$1,200 -- $700 of that is
for food, according to
Graduation: Celebrate with
Style! Venable's No. 1
suggestion to stay under
budget is don't overestimate
the amount of food. For
example, if it's an open
house, guests might have
already eaten at other
parties and will not be as
hungry.
Kathy Wood, mother of two
recent Columbus graduates,
hosted both parties in her
backyard. She made half of
the food herself and hired a
caterer to do the rest.
"It was just stressful
getting the food and
everything done that day,"
she said. "Ask for help. You
can't do everything
yourself, and definitely
take the day off if you're
working."
By hiring or soliciting help
from others, you'll have
time to mingle and take
photos instead of constantly
worrying if your guests are
comfortable.
Most importantly, plan the
party as you and the
graduate see fit.
"Be different," Venable
said. "You don't have to
feel pressured to do the
same thing as your neighbor
or sister. Be original."
Originality in gifts,
decorations, theme and
location create a party
that's special for the
graduate.
"The best gifts are
meaningful and useful for
someone going off to
college," Venable said.
A memorable gift need not be
expensive. Monogrammed
towels or embroidered
laundry bags are functional
gifts that can be used in
the dorm at school and only
cost between $10 and $20.
Whatever style or size of
party, remember to keep the
graduate's preferences in
mind, and try not to get too
caught up in the stresses of
planning, rather enjoy the
experience.
"We had fun," Wood said. "We
were glad when it was over
with -- but we had fun."
Caitlin
Sampsel is a junior at The
Ohio State University and is
completing an internship
with Columbus Parent
Magazine.
