Graduation Party Supply

Planning to Stock Your Graduation Party Supply

In order to have a well stocked supply on hand once graduation comes along, you will need to take into consideration a few things. To begin with, write a guest list. Consider how many invites will be sent out and how many people will attend. Most party planners suggest estimating around 80 percent attendance (unless you know of extenuating circumstances that would affect a large group).

Once you have your guest list finalized, you should consider stocking up on your invitations and decorations, your non-perishable foods, and miscellaneous supplies. Not only will this make your graduation party planning go smoothly, but will save time and gas from running around town trying to find last minute items.

Making a to-do list can help you with your planning. Consider separating your to-do list into two groupings. One group should be things to do around the house (such as cleaning, painting, and decorating) and the other list should relate to items you need to purchase. While you may have to wait to clean and decorate, you can start stocking your supply anytime.

Invitation and Decoration Supplies

Get your graduation party supply off to a good start by making sure you order enough invitations. Always plan to have illegible writing or misspellings on several envelopes. Additionally, you will want to order a few extra invites in case you forgot someone on your initial guest list. Consider purchasing about ten to twenty more invitations than you actually need.

Discount party supply stores often carry graduation supplies year-round. This makes it easy to stock up during sales or when you get coupons in the mail. Or compare suppliers on the Internet, and save time from driving around and picking up your supply.

Think about putting the following items on your invitation and decoration graduation party supply list:

• Invitations
• Wallet senior portraits (to go in invitations or to be placed on guest book table)
• Stamps
• Guest book
• Table cloths
• Centerpieces (graduation hats, confetti, scrolls)
• Streamers/garland
• Ceiling hangings
• Congratulations banner
• Balloons
• Graduation party favors

Try to purchase the items so they related to a certain theme. The theme could be something the graduate is interested in, like sports or animals, or the theme could simply be the school mascot and colors.

Graduation Food Supplies

Graduation parties equal food to many guests. You will want to be sure to have enough to please everyone. Anything you are ordering ahead of time, such as barbecued pork or cakes, should be done at least a month in advance. Call the week before to double-check your order.

Non-perishable food supply items can be picked up well in advance. Although the grocery store does not run out of food very often, this is a chance to look for mega-savings for items you will use in bulk. Uncooked pasta noodles for a chilled salad could be purchased several months in advance if you find a great deal. Other food supply items to look for include:

• Paper plates
• Napkins
• Disposable silverware
• Disposable cups
• Drink mixes (lemonade or iced tea)
• Sweeteners
• Condiments (ketchup, pickles)
• Potato chips

Miscellaneous Supplies

Various other supplies might be needed throughout your party planning process. If you are acquainted with your graduate’s friends, consider picking up some cards to give to them. Other miscellaneous graduation party supplies to get include:

• Thank you notes
• Tape (masking and scotch)
• Staples for staple gun
• Pens (for autographs in the graduate’s senior book)
• Disposable cameras/film/digital camera batteries
• Facial tissues

Because planning a graduation is stressful, even if you do purchase some of your items from your graduation party supply list early, you may want to add aspirin to your list of items to pick up. Remember, you want to be clear-headed so you can take the time to find the best supplies to celebrate your graduate’s special day.