Graduation open house

What it is

A relaxed “come and go” party to celebrate a graduation. Guests drop in over a few hours, so you can invite a lot of people without everyone being there at once. The focus is on the graduate: photos, memories, and advice for what comes next.

Plan ahead

• Three to four weeks before: send invitations with a time window (e.g. “drop by between 2 and 5pm”).
• Two weeks before: gather photos from every school year for the timeline and collect memorabilia (old reports, art projects, sports kit, trophies).
• One week before: plan the food bar and order a cake in the school colours.
• The day before: set up the photo timeline and memory table.

Set the scene

Decorate in the school or university colours. A photo timeline: a string with pegs across a wall showing a photo from each year. A memory table with old projects and trophies. A photo booth with a frame, caps and “Class of” signs.

Activities

Advice and wishes

A card box where guests write advice, a favourite memory or a wish for the future. The graduate reads them later.

Photo booth

A backdrop in school colours, caps and props. Print photos with an instant camera and add them to a guest book.

Short toast

A few words from a parent or sibling, then everyone raises a glass. Keep it under five minutes as guests come and go.

Food and drink

A food bar that can be topped up over several hours:

• Taco bar: tortillas, seasoned beef or chicken, beans, salsa, cheese, guacamole, lettuce
• Or a slider bar: mini burgers with toppings
• Snack table: popcorn in the school colours, crisps and dips
• Lemonade, iced tea, and beer and wine for adults
• A cake or cupcakes with graduation caps on top

Tips

• Have a guest book and a basket for cards; graduation gifts often come as cards.
• Plan the food quantities for about 70% of invited guests at once - not everyone will be there at the same time.