Graduation is a momentous occasion deserving of celebration. What better way to celebrate than with a BBQ bash?
Gather your loved ones and fire up the grill with these great ideas to make your grad's celebration unforgettable. From party themes to decorations and everything in between, we've got you covered with the best BBQ grad party ideas.
Graduation BBQ Party Themes
Graduation season is the perfect time to throw a barbecue party for your high school or college graduate. The end of an era calls for a celebration, and what's better than gathering friends and family over a delicious BBQ spread? Here are some graduation party themes to help you plan the perfect celebration:
School Colors Theme
A school colors-themed graduation party is a fantastic way to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates. The party can feature decorations in the school's colors, such as streamers, balloons, and tableware. Food and drinks could also be served in the school colors. Think of cupcakes with frosting in the school colors or bowls of punch with colored ice cubes. Guests could wear outfits that match the school colors, and can even find a pinata with your grad's school mascot.
Luau Theme
If your graduate is dreaming of a tropical vacation, why not bring the beach to your backyard with a luau-themed party? Decorate with bright colors and floral arrangements, and serve fruit skewers and Hawaiian-inspired dishes. You can use vibrant flower garlands, bamboo accents, and tiki torches to set the scene. Food and drinks could include kalua pork and tropical cocktails served in coconut cups.
Black, Silver & Gold Theme
A black, silver, and gold themed graduation party is a sophisticated way to celebrate academic achievement with classic graduation colors. Guests can dress up in black and silver attire while the décor can include black tablecloths, silver balloons, and gold accents. A beautifully decorated graduation cake with gold and silver touches can serve as the centerpiece of the buffet table. With the graduates surrounded in shimmering gold, silver and black, the ambiance will be unforgettable...even with a few BBQ sauce stains here and there.
Graduation BBQ Party Invitations
Your graduation invitations set the tone for the party, so make sure they reflect the theme and style of your celebration. You can choose to make your invitations from scratch or find a graduation invitation design you like from Party City's wide selection.
Just make sure your invitations include all the important details your guests will need to know, like the date, time, location, and RSVP information. You can also include the menu for the BBQ so guests can plan for any food allergies or dietary restrictions. And if you're in the mood, you can add a personal touch to your invitations by including a special message or photo of the graduate.
BBQ Graduation Party Decorations
No grad party is complete without lots of festive graduation decorations and there’s no shortage of options to choose from!
Balloons are an easy and affordable way to add color to your party. You can choose balloons in your graduate's school colors or mix and match for a more festive look. You can also personalize balloons with the graduate's name or photo.The table is the focal point of your party, so make sure it looks great. Use a colorful tablecloth or table runner and add candles or flowers for an extra touch. You can also create a photo display or a dessert bar on the table. And don't forget about graduation banners to fully decorate the party space and let your grad know how much you appreciate them.
Tasty Food
A great BBQ grad party is all about the food. Serve up some classic summer cookout farelike burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken. Sides like coleslaw, potato salad, and corn on the cob are always crowd-pleasers. Add some variety with grilled vegetables or a fruit salad. You can also show off your pit-master skills with BBQ ribs, brisket, and burnt ends for a genuine barbecue experience. Be sure to offer vegetarian and gluten-free options to accommodate all guests.
Graduation Party Photobooth
A photo booth is a great way to capture memories at your graduation BBQ party.
Start by creating a fun backdrop for your guests to take pictures in front of. You can use streamers or balloons to create a colorful background, or you can find plenty of ready-made photobooth backdrops in-store or online at Party City. Be sure to have plenty of props in your photo booth so your guests can have fun posing for pictures. Some popular options for props include hats, sunglasses, and mustaches on sticks. Set up a camera or use a tripod to make sure your guests can take fun group pictures. You can also set up a hashtag for your party so guests can take their own photos and share on social media.
Graduation Gifts
Graduation season is a time for gift-giving. Be sure to set up a gift table for your grad party where guests can leave their presents. If you have a theme for your BBQ graduation party, deck out the gift table with a tablecloth in a matching design. A card box is always a good idea for guests to leave cash and gift cards, which any grad is sure to appreciate.
The graduation gift options for your grad party are practically limitless. For example, if your grad is a BBQ lover, why not give them a cookbook or grilling utensils? You can also go for more personal gifts like a photo album or customized college gear. Other gift ideas could include a dinner at their favorite restaurant, a subscription to a useful app or service, or even a contribution towards their college fund.
Graduation Party Games
Party games are a surefire way to get your guests involved and having fun. Go for simple outdoor games that everyone can play like cornhole, horseshoes, or even a water balloon fight. If you're feeling especially ambitious, you can even host a scavenger hunt and have guests break into teams to explore the surrounding area. Or you can always go for a pinata and watch as your grad and their guests take turns swinging at the candy-filled cornucopia.
Graduation Party Music
You can't have a great grad party without great music!
Be sure to put together a playlist that appeals to the graduate and their guests. A mix of upbeat pop songs and classic anthems can get the crowd dancing or just provide a pleasant backdrop to the party. Consider including some throwback hits from the graduate's childhood, as well as current popular songs. If music is important to your grad and their guests, you can even hire a DJ to spin for your BBQ grad party.
Graduation Party Guest Book
A guest book is a great way to remember who attended your celebration, but you don't have to stick to a standard pen and paper. Instead of a traditional book, use a photo album for guests to sign.
You can include photos of the graduate and their friends. You can also create prompts for guests to answer, like "What was your favorite memory with the graduate?" or "Give career advice to the graduate." If you have a photo booth at your BBQ grad party, have guests leave a copy of their photos in a book with a message for the graduate.
Planning a graduation BBQ party can be fun and exciting. With these ideas for themes, invitations, decorations, food, games, and gifts, you can create a memorable celebration for your graduate.
Ready to start planning the BBQ grad party of a lifetime? Party City has all the party supplies you need for any occasion, from birthday parties and holidays to game nights and weekend get-togethers. We're here to help you celebrate and enjoy life's many moments. Explore more party themes or visit our nearest location.