<p>Okay, I’ve been doing some Googling, but most of their ideas are for parents throwing surprise parties for their kids.</p>
<p>I’m having a party in August before I leave for college (I opted for that because most of the kids around here have grad parties in June, so this is easier to schedule), and I need ideas for themes/food/location/etc.</p>
<p>I don’t want to spend a ton of money either…since my parents have to pay for college. XD</p>
<p>I already read a really neat suggestion to decorate in my college’s colors, and that seemed very appropriate (and easy, since my school is just blue and white). Any other ideas?</p>
<p>Hi Grace-
One of the things that my mom did was instead of the basic bbq type event, we had plated dinners (which actually saved money). If I remember correctly, we had a salad, a pasta dish, and cake. My mom seated 40 of us on our back deck at long tables that she borrowed from church and my dad’s office (the collapsable kind). I had made place cards for each of my friends and at their chair was two helium balloons in their colleges colors. </p>
<p>The seated dinner party style felt very grown up and really encouraged people to sit and talk. I also chose to have the party celebrate all of us, not just me and many people went around their table discussing favorite memories of high school. I am now in my mid-20s and people still tell me how much fun they had that night. </p>
<p>I also wrote a little note to each person that I put on their place card telling them what I would miss about them and included my college contact info.</p>
<p>The best “party favor” my kids received was a book that the hosts made up for all the kids and their families featuring pictures of all the kids from the time they were little and/or met the graduate. Included was an anecdote or two that they all could share. Also included were group pictures of past birthday parties, holiday parties, Bar Mitzvahs whatever.</p>
<p>I have used take out Chinese food for different parties. Seemed to have worked well…no fuss, little mess and everyone seems to like it.</p>
<p>We threw a wonderful going-away brunch for my niece and it was a huge success. Not as pricey as a dinner party and people aren’t as pressed for time as they may be later in the day. Everyone got one of those white boards for writing messages on with some markers as a favor.</p>