Paying Tribute to Your Grad

Honoring your grad is the most important part of the graduation party. And every tribute almost always involves pictures!
If you've been organized over the years, your photo albums & scrapbooks are probably up to date and the only thing you have left to do is to add this year's pages. However, if you're like most people, you're not this organized and your photos are in boxes and piles all over the house. If you're using your graduation party as an opportunity to create your first scrapbook then you'll want to start organizing your pictures early. The first thing you need to do is to collect pictures and awards you want to include. Don’t limit the pictures to just your son or daughter. Include photos of your grad with their friends, extended family and teams or clubs. Your guests will get a kick out of seeing themselves throughout the years.
Our personal opinion is ... don’t over do it. Pick and choose what really represents your graduate. Whether it’s academic achievements or 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 the things your grad has accomplished.
If you've been organized over the years, your photo albums & scrapbooks are probably up to date and the only thing you have left to do is to add this year's pages. However, if you're like most people, you're not this organized and your photos are in boxes and piles all over the house. If you're using your graduation party as an opportunity to create your first scrapbook then you'll want to start organizing your pictures early. The first thing you need to do is to collect pictures and awards you want to include. Don’t limit the pictures to just your son or daughter. Include photos of your grad with their friends, extended family and teams or clubs. Your guests will get a kick out of seeing themselves throughout the years.
Our personal opinion is ... don’t over do it. Pick and choose what really represents your graduate. Whether it’s academic achievements or 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 the things your grad has accomplished.
Traditional Scrapbooks
People love looking at photo albums & scrapbooks! It’s worth the effort to pull together photos of your grad, their friends, teams and special memorabilia. And a scrapbook or album makes a great gift for your grad after the party.
If you enjoy scrapbooking then you already know what to do. Just look for fun school related papers and embellishments at your local scrapbooking store. A general rule of thumb is to assemble a few select photos per event and design a page that identifies who's in the photos, the occasion and any other special information.
Cropping workshops are a great place to get caught up on your album projects, get inspiration and new ideas, and get away from the distractions of home. Workshops are offered in homes or at scrapbook supply stores. Organize a scrapbook party with or without your grads. If you feel overwhelmed, there are people who organize scrapbooks professionally. Just check with friends or stores that cater to scrapbook enthusiasts.
If you enjoy scrapbooking then you already know what to do. Just look for fun school related papers and embellishments at your local scrapbooking store. A general rule of thumb is to assemble a few select photos per event and design a page that identifies who's in the photos, the occasion and any other special information.
Cropping workshops are a great place to get caught up on your album projects, get inspiration and new ideas, and get away from the distractions of home. Workshops are offered in homes or at scrapbook supply stores. Organize a scrapbook party with or without your grads. If you feel overwhelmed, there are people who organize scrapbooks professionally. Just check with friends or stores that cater to scrapbook enthusiasts.
Grad Party Tip: Don’t forget to leave room in your scrapbook or album for your grad's graduation pictures.
Photo Books & Digital Scrapbooks

Can't scrapbook or don't have the time? Consider making a Photo Book instead. In a world of digital everything, a Photo Book is an easy and quick way to create a scrapbook. And given the cost of printing photos, scrapbook paper, scrapbooks and scrapbook embellishments, photo books can be economical too.
Shutterfly.com allows you to create your Photo Book online. You can pick the size, color and style and you can include a large number of pictures with or without captions. Another nice feature is that you can order multiple copies - one for you, one for your grad and one for grandma & grandpa.
Your photos must be digital to make these books. If you have photos that aren't you can scan them in or bring them to a photo processing store and have them professionally scanned and copied to a CD. The scanned images can then be uploaded to the website you're using and used in your photo book.
Awards, certificates and newspaper clippings can also be scanned. If you can't do this yourself, bring them to a copy store and have them scanned to a CD.
Shutterfly.com allows you to create your Photo Book online. You can pick the size, color and style and you can include a large number of pictures with or without captions. Another nice feature is that you can order multiple copies - one for you, one for your grad and one for grandma & grandpa.
Your photos must be digital to make these books. If you have photos that aren't you can scan them in or bring them to a photo processing store and have them professionally scanned and copied to a CD. The scanned images can then be uploaded to the website you're using and used in your photo book.
Awards, certificates and newspaper clippings can also be scanned. If you can't do this yourself, bring them to a copy store and have them scanned to a CD.
Poster Boards
Many people put photos and news clippings on one or more poster boards. Decorate them with your grad's name, stars, stickers and other cut out decorations. Your guests will love to see themselves and their names on the board with your grad.
Posters
Hang up some poster-size pictures of your graduate and his or her friends and classmates. They're especially fun if you're having a joint graduation party with 2 or 3 graduates.
Posters can be easily created at Shutterfly.com from digital photos. Many different sizes and styles are available using one or more photos.
Posters can be easily created at Shutterfly.com from digital photos. Many different sizes and styles are available using one or more photos.
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 memories and milestones. Most people have these photo DVDs or movies playing in the background. They're fun to watch and are often a great source of conversation. You can use digital photos and/or video clips.
While some people get them professionally made, a photo DVD is a great project your grad can probably do. The final DVD will make a great keepsake for you and your grad.
While some people get them professionally made, a photo DVD is a great project your grad can probably do. The final DVD will make a great keepsake for you and your grad.
Card Holder/Card Box
Shutterfly.com
Using photos of your grad is the best way to pay tribute to them. You can put them in scrapbooks and on poster boards or you can display them on table tops as decorations.
If your photos are digital then you can simply upload them to an online photo processor like Shutterfly.com and order prints or use them in a digital scrapbook or on a poster. If your photos are printed photos you can use them as is or you can scan them in to create a digital version to upload them and use them any way you want. Shutterfly.com has lots of great options - digital scrapbooks (photo books), posters & more. They also have great sales - free prints for new customers and free shipping and sales throughout the year. If you get started early enough, you can upload your photos and then wait for a good sale. |