I'm Looking for Inexpesive Grad Favor Ideas

HI- For food I'd go with TACO's.. Relatively inexpensive and easy.. who doesn't love tacos... Are looking for favors? This be me depends on the amount.. Maraca?, mexican cookies, or neon glow necklaces both ages would probably enjoy these?
Good luck.

Hi M.:

When I want to get inexpensive party favors or decorations for special events, i go to the Dollar Store.

Heres what i did for a college grad party:

I zeroxed the graphic logo of the school and made paper pennant flags. I cut out the logos, and them glued them onto the pennant flags which were made out of construction paper that was the same as the school colors. I glued them onto thin wood dowels (Orchard Supply)that were about 20 inches long, and stuck two or three upright into a potted plant at each table and on the food tables.(you can attach a group of 3 hellium balloons into the center of the oplant as well.) They looked so good!
You can also make your own boughs of banners by making these pennants and taping them (by the edge that would normally be against the stick) onto long peices of curling type ribbon, so that you have 10 or more pennants side by side. Place one right after the other with a gap of three or four inches in bewteen each. You can place a picture of the child)ren) on the pennants too, if desired.

I went and found old trophys at the thrift store and garage sales. I snapped or sawed off the tops (baseball player), and glued on a plasic "graduate with a cap" cake topper. Then I spray painted the whole thing gold. I printed up a tiny card for the bottom and glued it on, it had the award title on it. I can't remember now what I put on them. Ideas: "drove the biggest car," "drove the teachers crazy" "most likely to skip breakfast" . Held a little ceremony ( my dad presented them to each graduate, with a little blurb about how special each grad was, he has a sweet sense of humor so it was sooo cool). Definitely better to do this out in the yard where you have space.

Hide lottery tickets and have grads hunt for them, on teams, with maps.

Before filling ballons with helium, use a funnel and fill with some confetti. The kids can pop them over eachother's heads at the end.

Have guests and family (even brothers and sisters!) bring a favorite recipe ( or in this case two copies)and have a decorated binder ready so that you can present each girl with a cookbook. These are great gifts for young girls. Include a little note about the person, or from the person, along with the recipie. If you have enough time you can get these items ahead of time and have them proffessionaly bound at kinkos.

game: Called "think Hard" I had all these things on a cookie sheet. Then I had clues to each of the items written on a paper that everyone got a copy of. Next to the clue, there was a empty line for them to write-in what matched the clue. For example:
1. Clue: Bunch of dates ..... answer would be:(a calendar)
2. Never borrowed, never lent......(a toothbrush)
3. branching of a river....(a fork)
4. Paradise on earth....(two dice sitting on dirt)
5. the beginning of time ...(a cardboard cut out letter T)
6. A spring flower...( a drawing of two pairs of lips)(tulips)
7.One of the causes of the revolution ....(a tea bag)
etc....

Make other games by making a word find on the computer and use grad words "cap and gown, valedictorian, stadium, degree, ring, tassle,ceremony, graduate,diploma, college.

I made a "Newspaper" front page and used the graduates as the people in the articles. Heres a couple of the entries, just for example:
Kathy Gramley was voted "Most dedicated student of the year" by her statisitcs teacher, Joe Smoe. She will be honored by him at the upcoming graduation. When interviewd about his favorite student, Joe said, "Kathy is a real hoot and an awesome mathematician. If only all my students were so studious, why, I'd be thrilled!" Kathy could not be reached for comment. (Kathy hated this math class)

Students stumped by the assessment test call in proffessional help from scholar Lindsey Buchner. "Lindsey was a great help, very blunt and to the point" recalls Sarah. Lindsey was quoted as saying "Shmee" and "blah te be be besh". All the students passed the test. (Lindsey was a 6 month old baby in the family, Sarah was one of the graduates. I included a photo under the article, of the three graduates in their cap/gowns. The middle grad was holding a sign that said 2+2=? , and the graduates were holding their chins in deep thought or had perplexed looks on thier faces.

Sherry likes the Sharks. So I found a picture of Brad Stuart to put in the paper. The headline was "Sherry brawls with Sharks Player, Brad Stuart over a box seat at the stadium."

Here's what I served:
large chafer dish of pasta alfredo
crock pot of chili
meat and cheese tray
fruit tray
potatoe salad
green salad
rolls/butter
coffee/punch/champagne
cake
Made diplomas out of hostess hoho's (tie ribbons around them.)

Other ideas:

Nacho Bar: Get big bags of totilla chips, or even those bags of pre made tostado shells. You can get BIG cans of chili at the grocery outlet or costco. Put in crock pot. (you can brown some extra hamburger and put it in it's own crock put if you want) have another crock pot of Cheese sauce (also in big cans, or use velveeta) Have salsa, olives, shredded lettuce, chopped onion, chopped tomato, sour cream, and taco bell hot sauce. (it takes a few hours for the crock pot food to get hot, so set up the crocks early) Crock pots are nice because the food stays hot. Once the food is a nice temp, make sure to turn it down to LOW.

Have a baked potato bar. Include the crock pot of chili, sour cream, grated cheddar, REAL bacon, chopped green onion, olives, etc.
Add in a salad , and have chicken nuggets and it's complete.

Brunch:

Easy and delicious, baked eggs for 12
-------------------------------------
layer 1/2 lb gruyere cheese in a greased lasagma pan. dot w butter.
pour 1/2 c heavy cream over top. season w salt n pepper. next put a layer of chopped ham or crumbled real bacon. pour 12 slightly beaten eggs over the top. Pour 1/2 c heavy cream over that. Season lightly again. (Make ahead and store in fridge) bake 325 35-45 mins. (until center is just firm)
Add a towel lined basket of crossionts, muffins, bear claws, and bagels w/ cream cheese. Cherry jelly is a treat.
put out a fruit platter.
put "Brown and Serve brand" sausages in a lasagna dish and heat in oven.
a nice orange juice type punch, and coffee.

My recipe for Alfredo Pasta (yummy-always requested)
---------------------------------------------------
cut 1/4 inch off top of entire garlic bulb. Spray it with pam, wrap loose in foil, bake till soft (375 - 30-45 mins?).
Start boiling salted, oiled water for Rosetta Cheese Tortellini (1-2 bags?)(2 bags should serve buffet of 20-24 people with other foods served as well.)
In large deep pan fry 8 oz sliced diced mushrooms and 3 chopped green onion (including stalks) in a stick of butter for 10 minutes. Now add chopped cooked chicken or chopped cooked ham chunks. (2-3 cups meat per bag of pasta)
Squeeze all the garlic pulp into the pan of sauce.add 1 or 2 pints of heavy cream (not bavarian).cook until boiling, then add 1, 6 oz tub fresh parmagian and a pie wedge of gorgonzola, crumbled. You can also throw in swiss, mozarella, provolone or asiago. Dont use cheddar, american or velveeta. Cook sauce until cheese is melted. season with cajun seasoning, or salt, pepper,papirika and parsley. serve over drained (but not rinsed) noodles of choice. (warm it up and toss it with your warm tortellini and put in a large chafing dish or large aluminum disposable pan. (a crock pot already warmed, might work too)

Have fun!

I love Gail's idea to make diplomas out of Hostess HoHo's! That's just so cute!

Otherwise, as you know, teenagers don't really care much about decorations and party favors, as long as they get to be in charge of the music, and the food is good (and plenty). Summer food is easy -- make a giant fruit salad in a watermelon boat(or several boats), grill some hot dogs, serve some salads, some chips and dips, and plenty of cold drinks.

If your yard is big enough (or if you could do the party at a park) you can plan a water fight, with water balloons and those big super soaker water guns --- a great way to involve both the 8th graders and the high school graduates in the same game. An egg toss is a fun game for kids of those ages, also--- two lines form up, and each person tosses a raw egg to his partner in the opposite line, and they move apart one pace with each toss that doesn't break the egg. The winners are the pair who get furthest apart before their egg breaks. Races where they have to hold a raw egg in a teaspoon while they run are fun, too. And my kids have always loved sack races--- pairs of kids with one leg each in a gunny sack race for the finish line, or each kid climbs in a gunny sack and hops for the finish line. You can convince a lot of the adults to get into these games too!Have a great time!

Hi M.,
You've got some great ideas here already. We helped a friend with her daughters HS grad party. We made artichoke rice salad, homemade Aram rolls (the rolled meat and cheese sandwiches) a delicious fruit salad in a watermelon carved into the shape of a whale, potato salad, cookies, all kinds of yummy things. My husband and I spent at least one day with her, putting all the food together, it was a great time together. Do you have family locally who would enjoy coming together to do food for the special day? We always loved cooking together.
You might want to have some special notepaper and pens handy where people could write down their favorite memory/story of the graduate. Or perhaps a peice of advice...something I wish I would have known when I was your age. These could be read and laughed over... or even video taped. It's not a birthday party, so I don't think you actually have to do "favors". This is more a time to come together and celebrate a grand accomplishment and enjoy each others company. Some people love games and others hate going to showers/parties because of the games.

Our churches youth group does an amazing thing. It's called the "Seat of Honor", they have someone sit in a chair and all the other teens take a moment to pray and ask for an encouraging word for the person. The words they have gotten for the person have really been amazing and encouraging. They are usually focused on the positive attributes of the person and have been deeply meaningful. It's kind of like "We see the beauty of who you really are." Having some form of this with people speaking words of affirmation would be a great thing as well.
Have a wonderful time together.

HI M.,
Congratulation to both of the graduates.
What a busy time for you!
When my oldest graduated we did a combined party with a group of friends. We ordered from El Balazo. Most kids, and Adults love mexican food. They bring plates, napkins etc. that worked out great for us.~ The next year we decided to go Italian. We made lasagna, garlic bread and a salad. (simple) Both ideas worked for us, clean up was fast and easy. (great for me!!) As far as party favors. We really didn't do "party favors" we just took a hershey's candy bar and re-covered it with a picture of our kids. You can use any picture you like. There is a store in my area that does this for a small fee. One of the Parents that did the graduation party with us did the wrappers at home for us on her printer.
To make things special for both kids why not make a memory poster for them, and put it on display for everyone to see. I know it is a lot of work, but to see the look on their faces. (especially the senior) It really is a neat thing. You could put pictures of their first car, the prom.... any sports. dates. all the memories they had of high school, and of jr. high.
Good luck. I hope I've help.
J.

Hi ~
I have a great idea that would be ever so popular with BOTH 8th graders and 12th graders (not easy to please both with the same favor if you ask me!) It would cost you roughly $7 each. If that is do-able for you, let me know and I will send you a pic, they are darling and present super well with very fun girlie packaging :)
I can wrap each one super festive and ship them direct to you! I guarantee it would be a hit ~
T. :)
(include your e-mail if you would like me to send a pic)
____@____.com

How about a picture frame. They can decorate with school colors or have their friends sign them. Michael's has some wood ones for $1 or less. Happy graduations.

Hi M., we did a graduation party for my daughter a few years back. We had it catered by Burrito Factory. The price was very reasonable, and there was more than enough food. Pizza is also reasonably priced. Costco has the best buy. As far as favors go, we didn't do anything individually. We bought candy that had the graduation year on it, and put it in a basket for people to take themselves. We also had rented a frozen margarita/pina colada machine (virgin of course) that was a little pricey, but fun. Good luck I am sure everything will turn out great.

You could have a carnival theme and they could win tickets and cash them in for prizes. You could cut out a wooden circle for a head and put mom or dad etc in for a sponge throw, you could have bean bag toss, etc. and then a popcorn station, cotton Candy, clown with balloon art etc. If that seems to childish for the teen you could do a Hawaiian Themed event etc. have fun!

Hello M.: Congradulations Mom!! We have done this very thing 3 times in our family(once included a kindergarten grad). I did on very fancy paper invitations announceing the graduation of son x from CVHS and son x from CMS. We made up little diplomas for the guests and we made graduation caps with tassells for the tables with the year 2005 on all the tables. We found at the dollar store great cups that I painted their names & date on that the guests could take home. We actually held 2 seperate parties one time and chose never to do it again as it was to confusing. For Seniors they tend to go on the cruise so I made the party a drop in thing for family and friends and for food we had meat and cheese trays, salads and fruit. For one party we had mexican food which was easy to do in advance or you can buy. We took pictures of guests and graduate, then gave them to people -- this is so much easier to do now with printing from a computer or photo machine right at the time! Try and enjoy yourself and savor the moment of having reached the goals of graduation. You might want to consider having the party the next day or so later so you are just your family on that all important night. Great Job you have gotten to graduate once again yourself! Nana G

I have made CD's in the past for party favors. Let each of the children pick out music they like and make out a CD for each age group! Also, a build your own sandwich bar is a fun food idea. Add some salads and you're all set!

I think you have a awesome co worker that can help you with all you need help with!! ;)

I have used this company many times. Be sure to order in the next week to insure delivery before the event. They are very cheap. www.favorwarehouse.com

Dear M.,

Everyone LOVES Deli....here's my suggestion:

· Meat and Cheese Trays
· Assorted Bread
· Condiments
o Mustard
o Mayo
o Lettuce
o Pickles
o Onions
· Veggie Tray (make it your self is less expensive, but Costco has pre-made), served with Ranch Dip (put dip in a carved out purple cabbage)
o Carrots
o Broccoli
o Mushroom
o Cauliflower
o Cherry Tomatoes
· Chips, served with California Onion Dip (put dip in a carved out purple cabbage)
· Assorted Soda and Water (kids) BevMo or Trader Joes
· Beer and Wine (adults) BevMO or Trader Joes
· Cake (Costco has best price, but if you want to splurge you might want to go to a specialty bakery near you and do TWO smaller cakes DEDICATED to each kid) I like the ones that do photograph transfers—they are wonderful!

All of the above will be enough to feed and satisfy a large group, but if you want to add some homemade potato or pasta salad…go for it.

You can start buying the soda and non-perishable items now (a little each week) and then it won’t feel like a huge cost all at once.

If its and evening party still serve the veggie trays, chip and dip, but for a hot meal, do big trays of spaghetti and meat sauce or lasagna and tossed salad and some nice french bread or rolls and butter. (You could do garlic bread, but its more work and you will want to have time for your kids and guests too....so make it wonderful but easy.

Blessings…..

Hi there
I think teens (in part) enjoy finger foods. like potstickers , lumpia and empanadas, lasagne. You could do a bunch of different things like that and it reaches pretty much everyone's palet and individual taste OR a big pot of pasta, garlic toast and a salad is yummy and easy to make. The other thing I have done is build your own sandwiche, diff types of bread, cold cuts, cheeses. All depends on what your kids like to eat. I have gone the healthier route as well with FRESH fruit salad, grilled chicken and fresh vegetables.
You didn't say where you plan on holding the party, outdoors or in?

I like the idea of pasta, french bread and salad for a hot meal. Sounds yummy and like good old comfort food. But lunchmeat or sandwich trays are a good way to go to. Costco is probably your best be for these.

In terms of favors, my mom and I have a party biz and one of the things we do is cookie favors, we can do graduation caps and customize them with school colors. Let me know if you are interested, I can send you some photos.

Good luck and congrats on your milestones!

Hi M.! First of all we are talking about kids and children of your friends here... I don't know what you will cook, but kids loves hotdogs, hamburgers and spaghetti..... It will be fun to grill those hotdogs and hamburgers (from Costco) while kids are playing around. If you want to have special food for the adults ask them if they can bring their own special recipe food like potluck graduation. Tell them what you will cook for the kids. I'm sure they will be happy to oblige and show-off their specialty. You can assign also some of your friends to bring deserts. Then those whom you know can't really afford, tell them to bring paper plates, paper cups.... You will notice kids would love to eat hotdogs and hamburgers and spaghetti rather than gourmet food. Don't forget to charge your camera for special moment of Kodak time. Goodluck!
PARTY FAVORS = Go to Ross Stores. There are a lot of stationeries, photo album, photo frames that are cheap --- then for fun you can have a raffle for those. Good Luck

How about candy leis??? they're really easy to make and cost efficient...you could even make wrist leis, if you have a lot of guest attending....just a thought! Google "how to make candy leis" and i believe some videos will come up.

Hope this helps!!!

Can you say PIZZA and Pepsi?

Maybe quickly put some photo albums together of each child in other celebration pictures,place them where the guests can leaf thru them and leave the last few pages blank to add this celebration to and then it will be a gift to your graduates as well.

Get banana split ingredients and let all the guests build their own as the party winds down.

Have your kids choose music that they both agree on to play during the festivities.

Everyone will be old enough to enjoy just visiting with each other and eating free food.

Congratulations on your accomplishment of getting your kids to graduation day, lot's of moms don't know what it feels like! You should be proud. ;)

M., first of all Congratulations

For the finger food, I like to go to King Egg Rolls on either Story and McClaughlin or Berryessa and King Road. You can get the egg roll party tray and then when you get home cut the egg rolls either in 1/2 or in thirds. You can also order the chow mein, the shrimp and the fried chicken.

For the favors, the Dollar store is the way to go. For the high school graduate the favors can be something the graduates can use in college and for the 8th grader something they can use in high school.

The CD idea is great.

But the main thing is ask your children what they would like and go from there.

Hi M.,

Congratulations on your growing kids!!

Well, you know that PIZZA will be welcome! And with the $1.00 Store, you can get 2 liters of soda for a $1.00. Then just snacky-food and I think everyone will be happy food-wise.

A party favor idea would be personalized CD's. Have each of your kids pick out their favorite songs and make a CD out of them with a cute cover :O) You can even play the music during the party. If you don't know how to burn CD's, start asking someone for help. There are many people that can do this very easily :O)

I hope those ideas will work for you. Have fun!

~N. :O)

In the past, for favors, I have used Clarine's Florentines.
You can order them direct from her. She is located in Lafayette. Check her website out.
http://clarinesflorentines.com/
She can package them with 1, 2, or 3 cookies depending on how much you want to spend. They are delicious and packaged pretty!