Congratulations, Class of 2017!
Graduation season marks a major life milestone, and whether you’re planning or attending a grad party, you want to be sure to recognize the graduate in a meaningful and personal way—without breaking the bank. While that may sound like a tall task—What to gift?! How to plan?!—Target’s entertaining expert Camille Styles promises that hosting can be super simple (and enjoyable, too!).
“The key to any successful party is that the host should be having as much fun as the guests,” said Camille. “This means prepping as much in advance and not trying to take on too many tasks. Choose a couple of great decor elements and supplement homemade food with high-quality store-bought menu items. Remember that as the host, you set the tone for the entire gathering. If you’re enjoying yourself, so will your guests!”
And when it comes to gift giving, Camille relies on Target to come through with great design and décor inspiration ideas for the graduate’s new digs.
“Graduates want their new homes and gatherings to feel cool and truly personal, but they’re likely on a budget and need to find creative ways to make a new space feel like their own,” said Camille. “Target is the spot where everyone can go to find affordable ways to bring great style to their homes. Whether it’s setting up a dorm room, stocking a first kitchen or planning for a graduation party, Target is a one-stop shop for all the well-designed pieces a graduate could ever need.”
To get us ready for graduation season, Camille outlined a few of her top do’s and don’ts for attending and hosting grad parties below!
DO congratulate your graduate with a statement-making banner made of gold balloons. It’s an easy way to make any buffet or gift table extra festive!
DO encourage guests to bring photos of their favorite memories with the grad and display them in this photo frame wreath, or buy an oversized roll of black paper and some chalkboard pens, and let people write their well-wishes to the graduate. Display it on a table at the party as a nod to a rolled-up diploma, then tear off and frame the messages to the graduate after the party’s over.
DO gift the graduate some words of wisdom to display in their new place, or a fun accessory and lipstick to wear with their cap and gown!
DON’T feel like you have to break the bank: Inexpensive paper plates can be incredibly festive when they have a personalized message. And instead of providing guests with an entire meal, set up an abundant appetizer buffet with fun, but affordable, bites. Pigs in a blanket, fresh veggies with guacamole, deviled eggs and tomato and mozzarella skewers are inexpensive crowd-pleasers. Plus, they can sit out at room temperature for a couple hours so the host doesn’t have to worry about serving food hot out of the oven.
DON’T overthink it: A simple theme, like the tassel on a graduation cap, can make a major impact when carried throughout the party—these tassel garlands, tassel throw pillows or these tassel earrings are just theme-y enough, but can be repurposed for many other occasions.
DON’T forget the hostess if you’re attending a graduation party! This Threshold Mango Wood Chopping Board Set is a gracious gift that any entertainer is sure to love.
Shop all things graduation at Target stores and Target.com, and stay tuned to A Bullseye View for more entertaining tips and tricks from Camille Styles, coming soon!
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