Holidays 11 Simple Budget Graduation Party Ideas

11 Simple Budget Ideas for a Graduation Party

We really didn’t spend very much to decorate for the party—just a little creativity and a some handmade decor.

1. Reuse decorations

Decorations can be SO expensive. Have you been to the party store lately?

Here’s a quick tip.

Reuse decor.

There are so many celebrations and so many different things to attend. Just reuse the decor from party to party. For example, the balloons on the table came from another celebration. We actually shortened the strings on the balloons to make them fit on the table.

2. Chalkboard Signs

Use small chalkboards or chalkboard paint to create signs with messages like “Welcome,” “Congrats,” or “Class of 2024.” I wish I would have taken a picture of the chalkboard that we hung on the front wreath. It was just a little chalkboard from Hobby Lobby (rather than an expensive grad sign) and Westleigh used calligraphy to decorate the chalkboard.

We hung it in the middle of the wreath on the front door.

3. Tassel Garlands

We planned to make tassel garlands from a tablecloth.

You can fold over the tablecloth and cut vertical strips to make tassel garlands in the school colors.

These are easy to make and add a lot of decor without spending much.

4. Paper streamers

This is my FAVORITE budget decor idea.

Streamers.

You can get miles out of a streamer. We used these paper streamers to decorate the entire ceiling and there were paper streamers hanging from the entryway of the door between the living room and the hallway.

You could also make your own garlands, too. Create garlands using colored paper or cardstock. Cut out shapes like stars, graduation caps, or letters spelling out “Congrats Grad” and string them together with twine or ribbon.

5. Balloon Arch

Champe did NOT want a balloon arch.

So we compromised on the balloon numbers 2024 and put them in the window of the dining room.

But we have used a balloon arch in the school colors with other grad parties and it’s such a great way to make a big impact on a budget. You can order a kit and make it yourself (which is so much more budget-friendly). You can also find tons of tutorials online, too.

6. Paint a stack of books as decor

We found these books at Hobby Lobby and painted them in school colors.

Then Westleigh painted them with “2024 Congrats Champe.”

The lids open up and we added candy for the charcuterie display.

You could also use one for cards from the guests, too.

7. Personalized Banner

Westleigh painted these banners.

There were two of them and they are the EASIEST most inexpensive way to decorate without spending a lot of money.

You can design and print a personalized banner at home using free online templates, too, if you aren’t a painter like Westleigh. Add the graduate’s name, graduation year, and school colors to make the banners match the party.

8. Graduation flags

Sometimes it’s the smallest of details to make a party feel even more festive.

Look at these adorable little grad flags.

You can just tuck them into your cookies or decor to turn any dessert into a graduation dessert.

9. Table Runners and Charcuterie Board

The star of this graduation party?

A graduation party charcuterie board in green and gold (those are green jelly beans not lima beans).

The base of the charcuterie table is a craft paper roll. Create table runners like this using rolls of kraft paper or fabric. You can decorate them with hand-drawn designs, stencils, or painted messages.

10. Photo Display

My sister-in-law created this photo table.

There are photos of Champe from his entire life.

She added them in picture frames and displayed them on the table with the balloons.

11. Advice Mason Jars

Create a display to give guests something to do when they arrive.

Set up tiny pieces of paper with pens and mason jars. Then guests can drop notes or advice for the graduate into the mason jars.

You can also decorate the mason jars with ribbons and labels.