Hosting a graduation open house and need easy, budget-friendly tips? Use this party planning guide
to throw a cheap, nice backyard bash for your graduate! Here are recipes, tips shopping lists for
groceries, supplies, decorations and equipment. DIY alternatives for a graduation open house party under $100.
Some basic money-saving graduation open house tips. Don't rent anything. Make do with what you have and borrow. Ask people to share their patio umbrellas and arrange table around the yard. Grill or griddle your own foods, to pay through the nose for catering service entrees. Skip excessive decorations--huge waste of money and bad for the environment. Repurpose holiday lights as decor.
Graduation open house menu: Shop dollar stores, Aldi's, Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Gordon Food Service and Target. Don't fuss with outdoor electrical outlets. Prep ahead, chill or warm, and serve.
* Diploma roll-ups appetizers
--flour tortilla shells
--cream cheese
--sliced ham
--spray cheese
Spread cream cheese on tortillas, Place ham on top. Roll thin. Slice in half lengthwise. Draw "tie" with
spray cheese (or use licorice ropes). Arrange on serving tray. Chill.
* Watermelon basket (or any large fruit like cantaloupe or honeydew melon) : Cut watermelon in basket shape. Make two cuts two inches apart in center. Cut one-third of the way down on each side. Cut a horizontal line around each side (connecting with the vertical. Remove cutaway portions, leaving handle. Clean out fruit with melon baller (save melon balls). Cut a scalloped or zigzag edge if desired. Carve "Congratulations Class of ____" on side. Mix melon balls with partially thawed 4# bag Walmart frozen tropical fruit (reserve two cups). Fill basket.
* Hawaiian meatballs. Blend and heat in large disposable foil pan:
--16 ounces salsa
--5# frozen meatballs
--reserved tropical fruit
--smoked paprika, celery salt to taste
* Veggie tray:--baby carrots --celery stalk --sliced cucumbers --yellow and red peppers --dip
* Auntie Mary Mac and cheese: Mix in large disposable aluminum pan and bake:--3# cooked mini seashell pasta --2 large cans mushroom soup --2# Velveeta cheese (cubed) --French friend onions (top with) (love goes out to Auntie Mary DeKorte and probably the Dutch Reformed church in Grand Rapids cookbook circa 1959)
* Mortarboard graduation hat cookies (in lieu of cake).These went over crazy-well at our youngest
son's open house. Here's my tutorial and recipe for graduation cap cookies. Set extras out for party favors and decorations. You'll need:
--peanut butter cups (Reese's, Palmer, generic)
--chocolate covered graham cookies (or square chocolate pieces)
--M&Ms (school colors)
--spray frosting (in one school color)
Additional groceries and supplies:
--serving supplies (plates, napkins, utensils, cups, table cloth) in school colors for dual purpose decorations (Dollar Tree, Aldi)
--assorted chips/pretzels
--assorted 2-litre bottles of soda (clear, cola, fruit-flavored, diet, caffeine-free)
--water
--instant coffee --tea assortment --creamer --sweetener
--2 disposable rectangle aluminum pan (turkey size) for meatballs and mac and cheese
--2 large plastic serving trays (for veggies and Diploma roll-ups)
--large plastic bowls (for chips or pretzels)
--plastic tablecloths (for buffet and gift table-guests tables, optional)
On-hand or borrowed supplies--2 picnic or outdoor buffet tables --folding chairs (campfire chairs work great) --portable awning or large umbrella (for food) --30-cup coffee pot or large carafe (for hot water) --2-gallon insulated beverage cooler --2 coolers (for ice, pop)
Decorations:
Make a memory table of your graduate. Arrange memorabilia, artwork, photos, projects, mementos,
awards, instruments, sports equipment, ribbons, trophies, scrapbooks, baby pictures. Place box
discreetly for cards.
