Graduation Party Decoration & Gift Packaging Ideas

A graduation is one of the most exciting milestones in both an individual and their family’s life. Whether it’s a kindergartener moving up to the beginning of their educational life or college graduation, celebrating academic and personal goals are one of the most joyous and exciting rites of passage. No matter how old or accomplished the graduate in your life might be, a graduation party is a great way to reward them for all of their hard work. Incorporating a few DIY elements in the party planning is the perfect way to customize the graduation party decoration and party favors according to the honoree’s personal style and taste.

graduation party decoration

Graduation Party Decoration & Gift Packaging Ideas

Whether you are throwing a theme party for a sports lover or keeping it simple and organizing your decorations around a season, there are limitless options for a party of every size and budget. To make it easier, Paper Mart now offers customers the ability to design your own custom printed packaging through our user-friendly design studio app!

Start With the Menu

Whether you are having the party catered, cooking a homemade feast, or sticking to low-key finger foods and snacks, even non-foodies love a good presentation when it comes to party food! Paper Mart offers a wide selection of containers and packaging options for various items on the menu.

Candy Assortment

Deep, round tin cans
Custom note cards
Hinged rectangular tin cans (for take-home goody bags for the guests)
Book favor boxes

Final Take-out Station

For the college grad, nothing sums up academic life quite like the take-out menu! Set up a table with some of their favorite snacks and drinks. If you want to go the extra mile, print custom DIY “menus” with trivia. Another idea is to give one last “final exam” before they officially leave university life behind for good!

Graduation Hat Mason Jar

Mason jars are an excellent choice for party decorations because they can multi-task as food containers or decorative pieces. Stock up on jars of different sizes and fill them with candy, cookies, coins or congratulatory notes for the grad from the guests. You can even fill them with decorations or lights to liven up the party space!

Baggage Claim Station

Whether the grad and their friends are off to another school, starting a new career, or backpacking around the world a little custom gift bag will help them remember the day. These gift bags can be filled with supplies like a blank journal, note cards or digital prints of their favorite people and memories. Another idea is to send them off with a novel or travel magazine making it a special favor that can be enjoyed long after the big day.

Crafting Station

Another idea is to set up a crafting station for guests to create their own party favors. This a great if your grad is younger or just loves to create. Also, having this station allows for your favors to take care of themselves! For more ways to make your party interactive, try finding a few fun and age-appropriate projects online, or make it unstructured for optimal creativity!

Craft supplies

Say It With Decorations

If your grad is a minimalist, another graduation party decoration idea is to keep things simple. A good tip is cover the space with grad’s school colors. Spread the colors throughout the party with balloons, tableware or streamers. Also, add a little pop by hanging some tissue paper poms. Sticking to a few items can set the tone for the party without going overboard.

For more graduation party decoration ideas and packaging options, visit our party decorations section for all of your party favor and planning needs!