15 Hosting Hacks For Anyone Planning A Grad Party This Summer

Celebrate your grad with minimal stress and rack up those savings when you get a quick and easy quote from GEICO.

1. Start planning like NOW.

You probably already knew that, but it's always best to be prepared early than scrambling at the last minute. If you're not sure where to start, simple things like party date, location, and amount of guests you're planning on is the best place to start.

2. Lock your date in early.

There's a good chance you'll be doubling up with many other grad party planners in your social circle. Coordinate dates with your grad to make sure they don't overlap with their close friends' parties either.

Pro tip: Avoid peak holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July) to make sure all your favorite people are in town and available for the day! 

3. Send an invite along with grad announcements.

Save yourself the stress of mailing multiple envelopes with extra stamps and send the physical invite with a grad announcement. If you go the custom route, keep an eye out for promo deals on stationery design websites.

4. Or create an event webpage.

Don't want to spend all that money on postage? Keep it simple and make a grand announcement webpage with all the relevant info and RSVPs for regrets only (it will save you so much stress trying to hunt down and confirm the "yes" people).

5. Remember that it's all about location, location, location.

Location will determine many things about how your grad party will unfold. Hosting at an event hall? Budget and plan with a coordinator to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. Hosting at yours? A few extra steps might be required for a party set so close to home. And always have a plan B in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Pro tip: If you do decide to host at home, let your neighbors know ahead of time about the possible party noise. 

6. Snag your rentals while they last.

Tents, tables, chairs, and entertainment. Lock it all in as soon as possible. You'll be one of many trying to accommodate a large guest list this summer (and that doesn't include people having at-home weddings).

7. Decide on a decor scheme.

Does your grand want to rep their new school colors? Or do they want to celebrate their departure from their alma mater? Get a read on your grad's color preference and plan the party around a desired theme. With a cohesive vibe, any party can fall into place. 

8. Use community social media groups to see who's offloading extra supplies.

As the old saying goes: It takes a village (or in this case, a neighborhood forum). Keep your eyes peeled on local free, trade, swap, and sell groups to see if anyone is looking to get rid of extra party supplies. Or if you have leftover, unopened party extras, pay it forward and offer them up for someone else! 

9. Consider a fun hashtag to track all the memories posted to social media.

If people can do it for a wedding, why not a grad party?! With a grad-centric hashtag to encourage guests to tag all their pictures, you can bypass stressing over having to capture every single moment on your phone. All you'll have to do is search, scroll, and savor the memories.

10. Get as crafty as you can with money-saving DIY swaps.

Can't nab an essential entertainment rental? Throw together a quick photo corner with props, streamers, or string lights. And don't forget an instant print camera to make memories in a ~snap~ of a photo. Or looking for a delicious dessert alternative? Consider a ice pop bar in a cooler with a variety of fan favorite-flavors on ice to beat the heat of summer

11. Set the mood with a grad-specific playlist

Collaborate with your grad to craft a party playlist for the ages. Add the core memory songs of their childhood along with a few crowd-pleasers any generation would enjoy. And make sure to have speakers strong enough so that wherever your guests may be, they can enjoy the specially curated playlist. 

12. Decide what you're ordering out and making on your own.

If you're hosting at a hall, there's a good chance most of your food will be taken care of (still, double check with a coordinator on that). However, if you're at home, consider divvying up the work between your kitchen and a caterer. Apps and snacks might be an easy feat, but can your single stove or grill handle all the cooking (and baking) that comes with a big grad party?

Pro tip: If you do go the route of at-home cooking, make a day-of cooking schedule to organize what needs to be cooked when.

13. Designate a card drop-off location.

Don't let your grad get weighed down with cards when they're making the rounds with all their guests. Decorate a little drop box or have a special location away from the party to store all their cards.

14. Make a list of the day-of essentials that will need to be picked up.

Because everyone forgets about having bags of ice on hand until 5 minutes before the party starts.

Pro tip: Other possible "Oops, I forgot to pick it up" items include balloons, extra trash bags, the cake, or any other catered dishes.

15. Wrap it all up with thank you cards

Who doesn't love a bit of handwritten correspondence? Get some fun school-themed stationery and make sure your grad writes a nice little message and thank you to everyone who came. 

With grad parties and tuition on the horizon, getting a stress free quote from GEICO is one less thing to worry about this summer.

Images from Getty.