It’s time to celebrate your graduate’s hard work and bright future. You want to plan a celebration that will be remembered by the graduate, and holding the event at a local restaurant is a great idea. Here are 6 ideas for celebrating a graduate at a local restaurant.
1- Plan a Surprise
Bring something unexpected to the table. Does the graduate expect a quiet family meal? Additional friends and family are a great surprise! If the party’s guest of honor expects an event, bringing a loved one from out of town is a beautiful gift. The same principle applies to special guests like beloved teachers, childhood friends, and role models.
2- Prepare a Toast
A toast is a fantastic way to salute a graduate. It’s traditional, easy to personalize, and scalable to any party size. While alcohol is a classic drink for a toast, you can make a toast special for high school graduates and non-drinkers with mocktails. If a graduate’s preparing for higher education, order a round of espresso shots or energy drinks for the big moment. A speech is optional, but it’s the perfect opportunity to set the party’s mood.
3- Get Appetizers to Share
Not all celebrations feature a sit-down meal. Even if they do, you’ll have guests who want to wish the graduate well but don’t have time for more than a quick stop. Dividing your celebration into a reception with light bites and a later meal can help everyone feel included. This works especially well with patio seating or private rooms near an entrance. It’s an opportunity to limit expenses if you’re footing the bill, and if attendees pay for their own meals, an appetizer hour allows guests with limited finances (like other recent graduates) to share the moment.
4- Encourage Memorable Gifts
Save the gift cards for the mail or stuff some cash in an envelope later. Keep the celebration focused on accomplishments and fond memories. Attendees can bring a small symbol of their relationship with the graduate that’s inexpensive but meaningful. Keep in mind that meaning may be funny. A case of empty energy drink cans from the graduate’s study buddy is a great example. For a soft and sweet alternative, have everyone write notes like students might pass in class and collect them in a backpack or other sentimental container for the graduate to read later. Remember to work out an appropriate place to stash gifts ahead of time with restaurant staff.
5- Build a Theme Around the Graduate
If you rent the full restaurant for your event, you can likely discuss bringing decorations like table centerpieces. Any gathering can have a theme, though, even if you’re a small group celebrating at a single table. What makes the graduate unique? Are they obsessed with a particular hobby, film, or sport? Ask everyone to acknowledge that passion with their outfits. That might mean guests attend a blossoming paleontologist’s celebration in dinosaur shirts or everyone wears a baseball cap to honor the student with a baseball scholarship. Get clever, have fun, and make it personal.
6- Arrange a Special Dessert
If the restaurant makes desserts from scratch, ask about reserving something special. You may be able to request a custom element, like showcasing the graduate’s name, featuring icing with the school colors, etc. Keep in mind that cookies, muffins, and other desserts may suit your graduate’s tastes better, and pairing a breakfast treat with a coffee toast would be hilarious.
Use these above ideas to plan a graduation celebration that everyone will enjoy.
