Brags for the Grads
by Sue Zelickson, Tastemaker in Residence
Thanks to elenis.com
Accomplishments warrant celebrations and celebrations most always warrant parties. These words are often used together, so let's discover some fun party ideas to kick-off these momentous occasions for your graduates.
Whether the party is for your high school, college, or even kindergarten graduate it should always include creative decorations, delicious food, and take-away treats.
Leave the pomp and circumstance at the ceremony. Choose a theme that includes the colors and decor of both the school they are leaving and the one they have long awaited to attend. Pinterest, Instagram and party-hobby stores and online are chock full of fabulous ideas and products. These ready-made items like paper plates, napkins, cups and table decor make it easier for you to enhance your buffet table. Highlight the graduate with memorabilia and photos of their accomplishments throughout their school years. Or you can just concentrate on where they are going to school next!
Cakes and cookies are always easy and can be decorated with the school’s logo simply by using colored frosting, sparkles etc. If you have time, make their favorite homemade versions, or simply support your local bakery.
I remember way back in the olden days a sandwich loaf made at the supermarket served with potato chips and a jello mold with a couple punch bowls; one with booze and one without. This simple approach completed a great menu for parties in the 50's and 60’s and was a huge hit. This simple sandwich loaf can still be found at small reunions and brings back memories from the past. You can special order sandwich loaves at your favorite supermarket, with appropriately colored decor that includes frosted cream cheese flowers and customized fillings and decor. They aren't too hard to make at home, but it does take some time and patience. Click here… Kraft-Celebration Sandwich Loaf
Retro Party Sandwich Loaf
Candy is a must at your graduation celebrations. Here are a few tips; multi-colored bowls filled with old-fashioned candy. If you’re in Minneapolis, stop by the new L'More Chocolat in Wayzata for some great hand-made chocolates, chocolate hearts, flower truffles or even some candy shoes! Kathy Ehrmann and her daughter Lyndsay Terhark (Ehrmann) are the owners, chocolatiers and also teach classes on making French Truffles, how to host a champagne/chocolate party and more! They also carry French Macarons from Nickolette Krimheuer.
For adults and college grad parties, buzzpop cocktails make a great addition to the festivities for those of drinking age; they include vodka and rum push-ups. Another option is a Moscow mule sorbet made with Drake organic real vodka with natural flavors and fruits. Not to mention the mango passion fruit sorbet made with organic rum.
Check out buzzpopcocktails.com and drakesorganic.com; both have 15% alcohol in each buzzpop.
I hope these ideas kick-off your graduation season with a pop of fun, food, and drink and launch your graduate into this most exciting “next stage of life and learning”.