Graduation party is in full swing, with many weekend celebrations filling up the summer calendar.
If you are one of the many people hosting a grad party this year, the prospect might seem a bit daunting. Sure, many guests will be family and friends, but there will likely be some new faces, too.
Because grad parties are such a milestone event for your son or daughter, you want them to go smoothly. We’ve got some tips that will let you spend that day making memories instead of stressing.
Consider co-hosting
If you have family friends who have a teen the same age as yours—and your children are friends—it might make sense for your families to co-host a party.
Once you select a venue, the parents can divide the duties. One family can assemble the extra tables and chairs and handle the decorations while the other preps the food and picks up the cake.
Sharing the work makes set-up and clean-up much easier. You will want to make sure each teen has their own area for gifts and cards so those items stay separate.
Make it easy on yourself
Now is not the time to try that handful of new recipes, or squeeze in that home improvement project you’ve been putting off. Simple and easy should be your mantra.
If you’re not catering the party, go with items you can prepare ahead of time. For example, the fixings for a taco bar can be mostly made in advance. Ditto for a spread of appetizers, which is fun and practical.
Just make sure a few of your grad’s favorite foods are on the menu for their special day.
Focus your cleaning routine
Want to avoid having to clean before and after a grad party? Hold your event in a park pavilion or other rental space that typically is cleaned for you.
If home is where the heart is, however, it’s important to set aside enough time to prepare.
Make sure you do a good spring cleaning several weeks before the event. That will make cleaning for the party a cinch. But even if you haven’t done a deep clean, don’t worry.
Schedule a day not too far in advance of the event to focus on high-traffic areas: bathrooms, living rooms, rec rooms and the kitchen. Remove clutter from floors, tables and countertops. Simply put it in laundry baskets and stow it out of sight until after the party.
Choose a versatile product like L.O.C.™ Multi-Purpose Cleaner, which can be used to clean wood, tile, linoleum or any washable surface. Or for a faster clean-up of small areas like counters, railings and door handles, try L.O.C.™ Multi-Purpose Wipes.
In fact, keep the wipes handy the day-of the event, too, for any forgotten spots or surprise spills.
Be a good neighbor
Depending on how well you know your neighbors, they may all be invited to your big event. Regardless, you should definitely warn them of the extra traffic and potential parking issues that are sure to arise.
It’s the neighborly thing to do.
Talk to your teen
You’re a good parent, so you know you taught your child how to be polite and gracious. However, it won’t hurt to remind them of their responsibilities as the guest of honor.
They may resist this act of parenting, but you will both feel better when great uncle Sal arrives from a three-hour drive expecting a warm welcome. (And your friends and family will shower you with praise for raising such a polite young adult.)
Save the invite list
Ok, one more act of parenting. Most people congratulate graduates with gifts, either in person or by sending a card. Thank you cards for these gifts are a must—this is nonnegotiable.
If your child wasn’t part of the invitation process, make sure they have easy access to the invite list with correct spellings and addresses. The easier it is for them to write and mail thank you cards, the more likely it is that it will get done before they graduate college or get married.
Read more
For more suggestions on party planning, tips for cleaning and other great information, read more at AmwayConnections.com. To learn more about the Amway products mentioned here, visit the website for Amway US or Amway Canada.
