How to plan a graduation party on a budget

This past weekend, we held a graduation party for my bonus son. I was so excited about this party, because my own kids did not want to have one when they graduated,  which was such a bummer for this party planning mama.  I have been planning this party for the last three or four months, and almost everything used this party was from the Dollar Tree.  Buying the party supplies from the Dollar Tree definitely helped me stay on budget.  

There were only a couple of minor things that did not go the way I hoped, but over all it turned out to be a great party anyway.  It was too windy for some of our decorations.  I planned on having two balloon towers in front of the shelter house, and balloon sticks on the tables. The wind kept blowing the balloons over.  We also ran a bit late getting everything set up, because the graduate went to the wrong location when he was supposed to be picking up items for the party.  Oops!  The last thing did not go the way it was supposed to was when I pulled out the cupcakes to put on the cupcake tower, several of them had fallen over and were unusable.  Thankfully I brought some extra ones, so all was well. We just did not have as many cupcakes as originally planned.  

 ** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The cupcake tower was one of just a few things not from Dollar Tree.  I found it at Target for $5.  It is really sturdy cardboard, and trimmed in gold.  Thankfully it did not blow over in the wind.  We are thinking of using it again at my bonus daughter's wedding in a few months. 

 

The original plan was to put our food on tables under a canopy, so everyone could sit to eat and talk at the picnic tables in the shelter house.  We ended up setting out the food inside the shelter, because of the wind. All the serving trays and utensils that we used for our food are from Dollar Tree.  You can find many of the trays here, and many of them are currently available in small quantities.  

One of the biggest hits of the party were our fruit and veggie cups with graduation picks in tumbler cups  The reason why servings were put into cups is, it was easier for the party attendees to grab and go.  l did not want to have all the fruits and veggies on a tray where they could be touched by multiple people. I had several people tell me that they really liked having the individual cups.

I did something similar for the kids.  Instead of everyone putting their hands inside the chip bags to get the chips, we displayed them in a large party tray from the Dollar Tree.  I found this white on in the party aisle, but they have a few other variations here.

There were green and white party plates, napkins, cups and plastic utensils to eat with.  I thought I took a picture of them, but I must have missed it, because I am not finding it in my pictures.  

At one end the shelter house I set up the party favors, games  and card box.  I LOVE my scalloped tray that I bought a few years ago from the Dollar Tree. I used it to hold our candy bar favors.  While I have not seen these trays in one of my stores yet, they are bringing them back!  They are available now on the Dollar Tree website here. They were very hard to come by a few years ago.  I had a lot of good comments about them at this party, we are now considering using them for the wedding.

Almost all of the favors on the table were from the Dollar Tree.  The bubbles and favor boxes are available in the store. The candy jars  and trays, are available in store and online. 

I bought this card box a couple of years ago for a graduation party that did not happen during Covid. It is really big, easy to put together.  I bought the graduation cap this year.  

We did not have a photo booth set up with the wind, but we did have photo props available for the graduate to take photos with his friends.  Both the sign and the photo props are from the Dollar Tree.  

I did take a photo of the balloon tower stand after the party, and when the wind died down.  It was so easy to put together and can easily be used again, and again.  

I did make a few printables for his party, a few of which are available in my Etsy shop.  

The graduation games were a big hit.  

While I customized our candy bar wrappers with the graduate's school colors, I have printable wrappers available in the shop. 

We also wrapped all the water bottles with printable wrappers as well.  They are not in the shop yet, but are coming soon. 

Everyone left full, and happy.  The graduate had a great day with his friends and family, which made it a fun and successful party.     

 

 

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Graduation Party Ideas

 

It's that time of year again, it's graduation season.  It's hard to believe how fast this last year went, and that it is already the end of school year.  This year I will be involved in two graduation ceremonies/parties.   My new job is at a preschool and daycare, and we will be having a graduation ceremony for the kids who are moving on to kindergarten next year in early June.  If everything goes well in the next few weeks, I am also planning a graduation party for my bonus son.  I have been picking up a lot of graduation party items from the Dollar Tree to prepare for our party sometime this summer. 

**this post contains affiliate links

While I have bought more than what is posted, here are some of my favorite items so far. 

I bought this sign from the Dollar Tree. I think is would look great in photos  while being held by the graduate.  

We are going to use this as the cake topper. It has a nice elegant look. 

I am not sure what I am going to do with this graduation cap yet, but I really liked the size of it. 

These party picks are new for 2023.  They would look great with various party foods. You get 24 per pack.    Also available are picks that say Class of 2023. 

I plan on hanging this 2023 graduation banner on a long wall in the dining room or in our main hallway. 

If you plan on having a photo booth, these photo props will be fun and inexpensive to use. 

How adorable are these graduation gnomes! When I saw them I just had to get them to add to my gnome collection.  

I 

I picked up these led number lights recently.  I can not find them on the website, but if you see them grab them, because they were going fast! 

We are still in the early phases of the planning our party, so there will be more posts with food and other ideas in the coming weeks.  Did you know that on the Dollar Tree website there is a value seekers blog with a lot of graduation ideas ?  There are many great ideas over there, so be sure to stop over and check it out. 

Over in my Etsy Shop I have a few graduation party listings currently available like this chocolate bar wrappers. Over the next few weeks, I will be adding several more items for this graduation season.  

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Ideas On How to Throw Tea Party On A Budget

 

Someone I recently met on Instagram asked me if I had any ideas for a Tea Party.  She was planning a tea party for her young child.  If you have been a long time reader on my blog, you know I happen to specialize in planning themed children's parties on a budget.  You can see just some of the parties I have planned for my kids on my party page here.

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

One of my favorite places to shop for party items is the Dollar Tree.  I found many items in store that would be perfect for a tea party on a budget. 

I am loving all the spring flowers right now, all of which would make pretty bouquets, decorations, and centerpieces. (I have shared several easy centerpiece ideas made from DT items in my Instagram feed)   

In addition to basic round and rectangle tablecloths, Dollar Tree now has table skirts. These are way more than $1.25 at other stores. 

A fun way to dress up the tables, or even to play dress up are these colorful scarves.  I found them in the aisle with the shampoos and bath items.  They are brand name and nice quality. 

If you would like doilies for your party, Dollar has them in multiple sizes. 

A cute centerpieces is this pretty pink teapot by Oriental Trading.

Another fun addition is this tea pot pinata

And how adorable are these tea party photo props

When my oldest attended a friend's birthday tea party, the girls dressed up in party dresses and brought their favorite doll or teddy bear. Once at the party they had lot of hats, purses, scarves and beads to dress up in. All of which can be found at the Dollar Tree. You can see all of the ladies straw hats here, 

and little girls hats here.

I found this mini tea pot set in the toy aisle.  While a bit on the small side, it would be cute to give out as a party favor, our used in the decor in some way.  

Depending on the age of the guests there are a few choices on how to serve your tea.  You can find pretty tea cups at the local thrift shop, or serve more basic ones like these.  

Silver rimmed plastic mugs

clear glass mugs (currently available in small quantities)

I found pretty ribbons in several colors, and even glitter and wooden butterflies.  They could be used as decorations or maybe for the guests to create a craft. 

These spring flower and tassel garland and large tissue paper ball would be pretty to hang around your party. 

How about some goodie bag ideas.  When I throw a party, I really like giving items that my party guest can use.  These flower containers filled with treats or trinkets like the necklaces, crown, or cupcake squishy would be  memorable parting gifts. 

It looks like I will have to break up this post or it will be a mile long. 

I will be sharing tea party food and treat ideas very soon. Also be sure to stop by my Etsy Shop for seasonal and party printables. 

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