Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration

In “Stress-Free Homeschool Graduation Celebration,” Episode #131, Meredith Curtis believes you can plan and celebrate a homeschool graduation stress-free if you plan and budget ahead. With simple explanations and examples, Meredith lays out how to plan a graduation celebration for just your family or a small group of teens. She has graduated 5 with stress-free celebrations so she shares her tips and wisdom with you! She also shares money-saving tips for every step in the process of graduation planning.

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Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

Show Notes

First homeschool grad—2 graduations.

You can plan a stress-free graduation.

Choose the How

Talk with your teen. What does he want?

Quiet family celebration vs small group vs state homeschool graduation.

Formal vs. Informal

When to start planning? September/October senior year

Choose the Venue for the Graduation Ceremony

Where will graduation take place?

Rent?

Money saving tip: Jose’s graduation at a park

Choose the Venue for the Graduation Party

How we do it: Group graduation with reception. Later private party.

What does your teen/family want?

Our graduation this year.

Money saving tip: Rose’s party at Janet’s

Special Senior Year Events

Growing up we had homecoming, Grad Nite, prom, senior skip day

Special events planned by each family graduating

Ideas:

BBQ
Bonfire at Beach
Game Night
Junior/Senior Banquet
Christian Concert
Class T-Shirts
Pool Party
Movie Night
Boat Outing

Money saving tip: Game night at our house

Senior Photos

Love the senior photos of my kids!

Bring change of clothing for nice, casual, and cap-n-gown. If group—do a group photo shoot at least a month before graduation

Shine’s photo shoots for homeschool seniors

Money saving tip: Family member take photo or bartering or coupons for professionals

Make Your Guest List

Who does teen want to be there?

Make guest list together

Notify out-of-towners as early as possible

Graduation Announcement

Nice way to invite guests (2/1)

Mail 2-4 weeks ahead and up to 8 weeks afterward

Use templates at Walgreens®, Sams®, and other photo developing place

Money saving tip: get it ready early and watch for sales

Plan Menu

Food is very important to teenagers and their guests!

Some teens will leave the planning to you, others will want their favorite foods

When we have a group graduation, each family brings hearty appetizers/sandwiches—enough to feed themselves and all their guests. Then we chip in for drinks and cake.

For creative menu planning ideas, read my blog post 8 Unique Graduation Party Menus.

Money saving tip: plan ahead and watch for sales. Have guests chip in.

Diplomas, Gowns & More

Diplomas
Covers
Gown
Tassel
Hat

Money saving tip: order early, create a larger order with other homeschooling families

Making it Special

Graduation colors
Special verse
Motto
Graduation Program

Money-saving tip: Let a tech-saavy mom make the program—cuts printing costs!

Itinerary for Ceremony

No Rules. Be creative. Make it special for your teen/teens.

Here is our graduation itinerary:

Play slideshow of graduates while guests are arriving
Processional of graduates
Open in prayer
Worship (1-2 songs)
Short charge to graduates
Graduate talent or speech (song, skit, monologue, etc.)
Each graduate goes on stage with parents where dad gives charge and presents diploma, and mom moves tassel. Parents pray over teen.
Presentation of graduations/throw their caps
Recessional

Right Before Graduation

Keep in touch with guests: who is coming?

Facebook event?

Make the food/prepare anything ahead and freeze

Decorate the day before if possible

Fun Decorating Ideas:

Graduation theme on cake
Graduation stuffed animal
Homemade poster
Photos of graduate progressing through life
Tablecloth and matching tableware in graduation colors
Graduation banners/streamers/balloons

Money saving tip: see what you have around the house, borrow from friends, purchase on sale, start a graduation tote with decorations

Graduation Budget

I put money aside each month during my children’s junior year so that I have money for the graduation expenses. There always seem to be more than I plan for!

Here are things you will want to budget for if you include them in your graduation celebration: