Graduation Party Decoration Ideas for the Class of 2021

Celebrate your Grad with these simple and festive decor ideas!

Bring the fun because they’re the class of 2021…. get inspired with these easy to make graduation decorations!  Jane is taking you back to school to show you some quick and easy ways to celebrate the Class of 2021. From a cap decorating tip to a clever way to repurpose the gown into cozy home decor!  You’ll get smarter with these commence-mint party favors and picture perfect centerpieces. Jane shows you unique decor for the entire celebration. So get started because school is out and no one likes a procrastinator!

1. Host a Cap Decorating Party

A week before commencement day, host a cap decorating party. Gather up fabric markers, stencils, embellishments, and let the graduates create their own designs. This is a great way to spot your student in the sea of grads on ceremony day and also for them to find their cap after they toss it in the air!

2. Picture Perfect Centerpieces

We all know students like to take lots of photos these days so print some to create a personalized centerpieces for all the tables. Add photos, the year, lollipops and school colors for a festive look. This grad is hosting a luau for her graduation celebration so I made some luau themed centerpieces with tons of bright, blooming flowers!

3. 2021 Table Toppers

To give the party even more personality, add the graduation year as a table topper for the buffet.  Use even more photos of the four years gone by and decoupage them onto cardboard numbers and let the pictures speak for themselves.

4. Food Embellishment

Don’t forget the food. Create edible food toppers for cupcakes or sandwiches using peanut butter mini cups, chocolate squares, candy string, and sprinkles. Stick them into the food platters with paper straws and that idea graduates with honors.

5. Repurpose the Gown into Cozy home decor

After your graduate marches dressed in that satiny gown and tasseled cap to grab their diploma, those caps and gowns will never to be worn again. Kinda sad but the gown doesn’t have to be 21 and done…. Give it a new life as home décor. Turn the gown into a cozy pillow for the dorm – or new office using – the robe and a t-shirt from their alma mater.

6. Well wishes and Words of Wisdom Activity

You can give your guests an activity at the party too! Let them jot down some words of wisdom for the graduate. Using a large mason jar – and the graduation cap as a cover – put out some paper, pens and ribbon and your guests can write down their wishes and then roll it up like a diploma!

7. Thank You Gifts

Let your grad say thank you to the guests with this clever candy giveaway. Fill a mason jar with mints and make a paper cap to cover using black cardstock and a tassel. Create a note that says “Thank you for celebrating my comence-mint.”

8. Selfie Station

Give the guests a reason to take photos of themselves….set up a backdrop for selfies and group shots! Or even hire a photog to take pictures of the guests and grad…just like paparazzi.  You can buy an inexpensive premade backdrop or just make your own using an old bed sheet and fabric paint.

Now it’s your turn to get creative. With a little inspiration and some imagination, you can give your party a few touches of homemade and let your grad know the tassel was worth the hassle! Happy Graduation Class of 2021.