Graduation Party Menu and Tips

If you’re hosting a grad party for your high school or college graduate this spring or summer, graduation party planning season has begun. With my Graduation Party Menu and Tips, along with some careful planning, your party will go smoothly and your stress level will stay low!

Over the years, I’ve planned and hosted graduation open houses for all three of my kids. Along the way I’ve picked up some really great tricks and tips.

As graduation season kicks into high gear, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from hosting multiple graduation open houses (both high school and college graduations). This includes everything from food, to drinks, to desserts to party setup. 

So, no matter if this is your first graduation party or you’ve hosted your fair share, there is something here for everyone. Basically, everything you need to have a successful, low-stress event!

Table of Contents

• Beverages (Water) – Tips and Tricks
  • How Much Water Should I Buy?
• Beverages (Soda) – Tips and Tricks
  • How Much Soda Should I Buy?
• Beverages (Coffee) – Tips and Tricks
• Beverages (Bottles and Cans versus 2-Liter Bottles) – Tips and Tricks
• Selecting a Menu for Your Graduation Party – Keep it Simple
• Graduation Party Menu #1 – BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
  • How Much Pulled Pork Should I Make?
  • Menu #1 Sides
  • Menu #1 Desserts
• Graduation Party Menu #2 – Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta
  • Menu #2 Sides
  • Menu #2 Desserts
• Summing It All Up – Menu Planning
• Party Set Up – Tips and Tricks
  • Party Set Up – Day of

Beverages (Water) – Tips and Tricks

The first tip is about buying bottled water. That tip? Buy as much water as you think you need and then buy more!

Really – you can’t have too much bottled water. If the day of your party turns out to be a hot one, you will go through more water than you might expect. 

And, you certainly don’t want to run out of water on a hot summer day. You want your guests hydrated and comfortable.

Water is a budget-friendly option for drinks, especially if you have a Sam’s Club or Costco membership. And, if you’ve been on the fence about getting a wholesale club membership, now may be the time. These places are a great option for buying food, drinks and other things like plates, napkins and silverware at reasonable prices.

If you don’t have one of these memberships, it’s not a problem. During the course of your regular grocery shopping leading up to the party, keep your eyes open for sales, BOGO offers and other special deals on bottled water. It’s a great way to stock up on water at a discount.

As you know, bottled water will keep for a long time. So, if you end up with a lot of leftover water, don’t worry, the water won’t go bad. At the very least, you’ll have it on hand to use up over the course of the summer.

How Much Water Should I Buy?

The general rule of thumb is to buy two water bottles per guest per hour. For example, if you anticipate 100 graduation party guests in total, each spending one hour at the open house and the event is four hours long, that would be 200 bottles of water (100 people / 4 hours = 25 people per hour. 25 people per hour X 2 bottles per person = 50 bottles. 50 bottles X 4 hours = 200 total bottles of water).

Beverages (Soda) – Tips and Tricks

As far as soda goes, first figure out the brand of soda you want to buy. For me, I’ve always bought Coke products (that’s what my family likes), including Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite and Lemonade. But, I know other families fall into Pepsi or Dr. Pepper camps.

Regardless, I bought more of the varieties that I knew my family would drink and less of the varieties that I knew that we wouldn’t drink (for us that was regular Sprite). That way, if there were leftovers, I didn’t worry that they would go to waste.

As with the bottled water, sodas can be found at a pretty good price at places like Sam’s Club or Costco. And, as above, if you don’t have one of these memberships, it’s not a problem. 

The same as for stocking up water, during the course of your regular grocery shopping leading up to the party, keep your eyes open for sales, BOGO offers and other special deals on the sodas you want for your party. When I found a great deal, I really stocked up. 

With each of the open houses I hosted, I did have a fair amount of soda left over. But, that was all good as I didn’t have to buy much soda over the rest of the summer.

How Much Soda Should I Buy?

The general rule of thumb is to buy two cans (or bottles) of soda per guest per hour. For example, if you anticipate 100 graduation party guests in total, each spending one hour at the open house and the event is four hours long, that would be 200 cans of soda (100 people / 4 hours = 25 people per hour. 25 people per hour X 2 cans per person = 50 cans. 50 cans X 4 hours = 200 total cans of soda).

Beverages (Coffee) – Tips and Tricks

I have a 40 cup coffee maker, so I did provide coffee for people to have with dessert. However, I don’t think it’s essential, especially if the weather is hot. Frankly, I had a lot of coffee leftover each time.

Beverages (Bottles and Cans versus 2-Liter Bottles) – Tips and Tricks

I suggest bottled water and canned soda rather than 2-liter bottles. The reason? By using bottles and cans, you don’t have to worry about buying cups.

Also, with 2-liter bottles, you will end up with more waste, as partially used 2-liter bottles won’t keep for very long.

Selecting a Menu for Your Graduation Party – Keep it Simple

After multiple graduation open houses, the biggest thing I’ve learned is to keep your menu simple. I believe the best graduation party food ideas are often the simplest. And, you don’t need to have dozens of food options.

I learned that lesson as after the first open house I hosted, I had so much delicious food leftover! Like, way more than my family could consume in a reasonable time. 

So, for subsequent grad parties, I offered fewer dishes. As a rule of thumb, I think a main dish with two or three sides is plenty.

Another way to keep it simple the day of the party – base your menu on things that can be made ahead of time. You don’t want to be getting up at 2:00am making a huge batch (or batches) of your sides and/or main course! You actually want to be awake and have a good time during the open house!

The other way to keep it simple – use tasty, easy recipes. There’s no good reason to make things difficult for yourself when there are many amazing easy recipes that will easily feed large groups. 

Below I have provided two awesome and easy menus that have both great graduation party foods as well as can easily feed a large crowd. They each feature different main dishes as well as different side dishes and desserts.

Graduation Party Menu #1 – BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Main

• BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Sides (pick 2-3)

• Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Coleslaw Minus the Mayo
• Baked Beans
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Potato Chips

Desserts

• Lemon Bars
• Cake

This first menu features BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches as the main dish. Making this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is so economical as pork shoulder can typically be found at very reasonable prices.

And, the best part about pulled pork is that you can make it well in advance and keep it frozen until the party. A couple of days before the party, move the pork to the refrigerator to defrost. On the morning of the party you reheat it. An electric roaster or a chafing dish both work great to keep the pork hot.

(Note: After the party, freeze any pulled pork leftovers in meal size portions. It makes for quick meals throughout the summer.)

I served the pulled pork on my Homemade Sandwich Rolls. I started making the rolls a couple months ahead of time and froze them as I went. 

However, if you don’t want to make homemade rolls, the pork is delicious on ciabatta rolls. And, using smaller ciabatta rolls will cut down on the consumption of the pulled pork.

I also provided a couple of different BBQ sauces on the side so guests could top their sandwich with their favorites.

How Much Pulled Pork Should I Make?

In general, one pound of uncooked pork shoulder will provide about 8-9 ounces of cooked pulled pork. Each sandwich contains about three ounces of cooked pulled pork. Anticipate about 1.5 sandwiches per person. 

So, if you have 100 guests during the course of your open house, you need approximately 150 sandwiches (100 guests X 1.5 sandwiches per guest). That means about 50-60 pounds of uncooked pork shoulder to start.

That may seem like a lot, but 1.) pork shoulder is relatively inexpensive and 2.) it’s easy to make. It just takes time!

Menu #1 Sides

For the sides, I suggest the Black Bean and Corn Salad and the Coleslaw Minus the Mayo. The salad is fresh and summery. You can make it the day before, refrigerate and easily bring it out the day of the party.

The coleslaw is actually a 2 for 1 deal. It’s great both as a light side dish as well as a great topping for the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

And, since this is made without any mayo, it’s a lot safer to leave sitting out on a buffet. Plus, it’s really delicious! 

The easy way to keep it fresh? Make the dressing a couple of days ahead of time. Then, the morning of the party combine it with the cabbage.

If you want to make things even easier, grab several bags of chips (kettle chips are my favorite!) and a few cans of baked beans. Put the chips in a bowl and the baked beans in a crock pot and you’re good to go.

If you want something a little lighter and fresher, you can always cut up some fresh fruit for a salad. For the fresh fruit salad, just cut up all of the fruit the day before and keep it in separate containers. Then, the morning of the party, combine in a serving bowl.

A combination of grapes, strawberries and pineapple works well. But, you can use your own favorites.

Menu #1 Desserts

First and foremost, every graduation party dessert table needs a cake. And, that’s one thing I depend on a local bakery for. 

Personally, my favorite bakery cakes are from Sam’s Club or Costco. They’re really tasty and you just can’t beat the price. You can get a half sheet cake that’s been custom made with your graduate’s school colors for a very reasonable price.

However, I know people often do have their favorite bakeries. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as the price is reasonable. Either way, consult with them as to how much cake they believe you need for your party.

These Lemon Bars are also a perfect compliment to the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches and the rest of the menu. They’re light, easy to make and freeze ahead of time very well. You can then round out the dessert table with items such as M&M’s, mints and nuts.

Graduation Party Menu #2 – Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta

Main

• Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta

Sides (pick 2-3)

• Ciabatta Rolls
• Caesar Salad
• Fresh Fruit Salad
• Potato Chips

Desserts

• Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars
• Cake

This menu features Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta as the main dish. It’s a great easy graduation party food idea. And, while it’s a lighter menu than the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, it’s no less delicious!

This main dish is equally affordable and economical as the pulled pork as it a combination of chicken breasts and pasta. Both of these items are relatively inexpensive and easy to find at the local grocery store.

For this dish, grill the chicken a couple of weeks ahead of time and freeze (see recipe for amounts of ingredients per serving). Take the grilled chicken out of the freezer a couple of days before the party and put in the fridge to thaw.

Then, the day before the party, cook the pasta (borrow several large pots if you need to!) and finish preparing the dish. Refrigerate overnight and bring it to room temperature the morning of the party.

The great thing about the Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta is that it tastes great room temperature. So, you don’t have to worry about how to keep it hot. Just put in a serving dish.

The other thing to note is that this dish freezes really well. (Note: That’s what I did with the leftovers and once again we had some quick meals on hand!).

Menu #2 Sides

For the sides, I suggest Ciabatta Rolls and the Caesar Salad. The Ciabatta Rolls are a perfect compliment to the Pesto Pasta. However, any crusty Italian bread works great.

And, don’t get too caught up in making the Caesar Salad. I literally bought several pre-made Caesar Salad kits and assembled them that morning. So simple!

Fresh fruit is also always a hit in the summer. For the fresh fruit salad, just cut up all of the fruit the day before and keep it in separate containers. Then, the morning of the party, combine in a serving bowl.

A combination of grapes, strawberries and pineapple works well. But, you can use your own favorites.

Also, chips are an easy side. Simply open and put into a serving bowl.

Menu #2 Desserts

As I mentioned above, every graduation party dessert table needs a cake. And, that’s one thing I depend on a local bakery for. 

Personally, my favorite bakery cakes are from Sam’s Club or Costco. They’re really tasty and you just can’t beat the price. You can get a half sheet cake that’s been custom made with your graduate’s school colors for a very reasonable price.

However, I know people often do have their favorite bakeries. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as the price is reasonable. Either way, consult with them as to how much cake they believe you need for your party.

These Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Bars are a great sweet treat that fits the Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta menu. You can’t go wrong with this combination of cheesecake and chocolate! You can then round out the dessert table with items such as M&M’s, mints and nuts.

Summing it All Up – Menu Planning

To sum up menu planning, keep it simple and make ahead as much as possible. Also, if your closest friends, best friend, a family member (or members) or frankly, anyone offers to help with the prep work….SAY YES PLEASE! Putting together an open house of any size is hard work and having others help makes the work go so much faster!

Party Set Up – Tips and Tricks

Just like the food, get as much of the prep work done ahead of time as you can. The less you have to get ready the day of the party, the better.

Now is a great time to see what you might need to borrow, rent or buy. Do you need chairs? Tables? Serving pieces? Coolers? Table cloths?

I always devoted the entire day before the party to prepping. That’s when we finished the cooking, got the tables and chairs in place, got any memorabilia that we were displaying set up and got the food areas all set up (minus the food, of course!).

By early evening everything was generally ready to go for the next day. Then, our tradition was to relax and enjoy some Chinese takeout for dinner down in our basement (away from everything we’d worked so hard to get set up!) before getting a good night’s sleep.

Party Set Up – Day Of

The next morning I was up early to get the food ready to serve and take care of any last minute details. Things that are generally best left to the morning of the party would be putting the ice in the coolers for the water and soda.

We have a lot of freezer space so, we bought the ice the day before. But, that’s something you may need to send someone out to get the morning of the open house.

It’s also probably a good idea to wait until that day to put table cloths on any outdoor tables (if an outdoor party), as well as any outdoor decorations in case it rains or gets really windy. Other than that, it’s mainly getting the food heated up and put in your serving dishes.

I hope this information is helpful to all of you out there planning your own graduation parties. If you have questions about anything, feel free to leave them in the comments or send me an email. I will answer them the best I can!

ENJOY!