The Ultimate Graduation Party Supplies Checklist
The Ultimate Graduation Party Checklist
Planning a college or high school graduation party is no small task. From picking a date, planning the menu, sending invitations, buying bulk party supplies and making sure you don’t forget any details, just thinking about it can be exhausting. While the party may still be weeks, or even months away, it’s never too early to start planning and gathering party ideas. Being organized from the very beginning will help make the whole process much less stressful. After you've picked the date and sent out the invitations, you're left with the three main categories to focus on: the food & drink, the graduation decorations, and the after party clean up. To help lighten the load, we’ve rounded up a graduation party planning checklist to make sure you have every detail planned out so that your celebration is as great as your grad!
Catering Supplies for Your Graduation Party
Planning a graduation party can be a very costly affair, and the food and drink is no doubt going to be a major expense. While it is a great option to hire a caterer, there are plenty of other ways that can save you money without having to spend your entire budget on the food, or spend the entire party in the kitchen.
From ordering pizza and subs to making a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs, you can find ways to cut corners without making it look like you did. Your local grocery store may also have many ready-made food options that can help cut down on food prep time before the party. That way you can still get delicious food, but it may not cost as much as a full blown caterer. Add in a few professional catering pieces like these inexpensive buffet stands and serving tiers (that are great to use for other parties, too!) and you'll have a well put-together look that won't break the bank.
Whether you chose to cater yourself or not, you are going to need plenty of catering supplies to help display, serve and eat the food come the big day. It will help to have a food service plan in place ahead of time so you're not scrambling at the last minute. Plan out where the food is going to be served, what types of serving utensils you're going to need, how you're going to keep the food warm throughout the party, and where your guests are actually going to eat. Will you need a party tent set up in the backyard with tables and chairs or can you serve the food inside the house? Inclement weather may also play a role, so have a back up plan in case of rain or undesirable temperatures. Plastic table cover rolls offer a great solution for covering floors inside to protect them from shoes tracking mud through the house if you have to serve inside.
Make sure your graduation party is a success by being prepared. Here is a list of graduation party supplies you'll need for food and drink:
Aluminum Foil Sheets
Aluminum Foil Pans & Lids
Baking Supplies for Desserts
Beverage Dispensers
Beverage Tubs
Beverage Napkins
Bottle Openers
Buffet Stands & Risers
Catering Food Signs
Chafing Dishes / Fuel
Coffee & Tea Service
Coolers for Beverages
Dessert / Appetizer Plates
Dinner Napkins
Disposable Cups
Disposable Cutlery
Disposable Plates
Doilies for Decoration
Food Storage Containers
Ice Buckets / Scoops
Mini Catering Supplies
Picks for Appetizers & Desserts
Plastic Film Wrap
Plastic Serving Trays
Plastic Table Covers
Professional Bar Tools
Serving Bowls
Serving Utensils
Straws
Wire Racks
Graduation Party Decoration Ideas
Now that you’ve covered the most important part (food) you can focus on the fun stuff, like the graduation party decorations! It’s easy to find discount graduation decorations that are still festive and special for your grad. You can find bulk balloons in every color to make fun displays, like arches or photo booth backdrops. There are plenty of awesome ideas of how to use balloons without helium that can really take your party to the next level.
Are you looking for graduation party themes for 2018? You can have a lot of fun with a Hawaiian themed backyard luau, a graduation fiesta, a sports themed party for your graduating athlete, or a superhero themed party for your grad who’s out of this world.
Or you can always stick with the traditional graduation decorations & party supplies:
Balloons
Ceiling Decor
Colorful Table Decorations
Confetti
Curling Ribbons
Graduation Card Boxes
Graduation Garlands
Graduation Table Centerpieces.
Graduation Trophy
Hanging Decorations
Paper Lanterns
Photo Display of Graduate
Sign & Banners
Streamers
Wall Decorations
Clean-Up Supplies for Graduation Parties
If you are hosting the graduation party at your house, you’re going to need a lot of cleaning supplies. Whether you are hosting a few or a few hundred, you’ll probably want to start with a clean slate. Now may be a good time to stock up on professional cleaning supplies and all the disposables you’ll need. You don't want to be in the middle of the party and realize you've run out of toilet paper or paper towels. If you're anticipating a big mess at the end of the celebration, it may be best to find wholesale cleaning supplies now so you can keep the mess under control as the party goes on.
Sticking with all disposable dinnerware for your party? You may want to also pick up some extra garbage bags. Those paper plates, plastic cups and disposable forks will collect very quickly and fill trash can after trash can if you're having a bigger party. Having plenty of garbage cans placed around the party will make it easy for guests to clean up after themselves so there is less mess lying around afterwards. Check these products off your list for an easier post graduation party clean up:
All-Purpose Cleaner
Bathroom Cleaner
Cleaning Gloves
Dish Washing Soap
Disinfectant Wipes
Floor Cleaner
Glass Cleaner
Hand Soap & Sanitizer
Mops & Buckets
Odor Control
Paper Towels
Scrub Brushes
Toilet Paper
Trash Bags
Trash Cans
Where to Find Graduation Party Supplies
Whether you are throwing a high school or college graduation party, it's a huge milestone that deserves to be celebrated. However, throwing a great party doesn't mean you have to empty your wallet, especially if you're looking at a long list of soon-to-be-needed college supplies. You can find some pretty great deals on graduation party supplies online so take time to shop around. Check out ShopAtDean.com and you'll find a one-stop-shop for discount party supplies, graduation party decorations, disposable catering supplies and so much more, all at reasonable prices. Take a look at our inventory for some great high school or college graduation party ideas.
We're here to help! If you need expert opinions on what supplies you may need, don't hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable customer service staff is ready to assist.
