13 Top Decorations for a Graduation Party​ in 2025

From party appetizers to party games, the world of decorations for a graduation party is full of so much more than garland on the wall. If you're trying to figure out what to add to your graduation party supplies list, get ready because this list lays out all the basics, including unique graduation party ideas and even a few graduation gift ideas. Let the celebration commence!

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• Simple Graduation Decoration Ideas
• DIY Decorations for a Graduation Party
• Fun Decorations for a Graduation Party
• Decorations for a Graduation Party​ FAQs

Simple Graduation Decoration Ideas

1. All-Gold Everything

From the balloons on the mailbox to the chocolate-covered pretzels, make all of your decorations gold. Everyone wants to feel special during their graduation season and nothing screams special quite like gold. Decorations for a graduation party should be snazzy anyway, making all-gold everything a top-tier choice. 

2. Memory Photo Wall

When it comes to DIY decorations for a graduation party, it’s always the most fun when your guests feel involved. Reach out to those you’ve invited to the party and ask them to send over a few of their favorite photos of them with the graduate. Print out these photos and use them to make a DIY photo wall. A photo wall made out of photos…How meta!

3. Balloon Garland

Decorations for any event should always include balloons and decorations for a graduation party are no exception. A balloon garland is a simple way to set up a festive scene, no matter the environment or size of the space. Balloon garland is a must-add to your graduation party supplies list. Sometimes, the most obvious decorations are that way for a reason — because they never fail to make us feel celebrated.

4. Appreciation Table

Decorations for a graduation party can and should be all about the love! An appreciation table honors your graduate by displaying their picture, accomplishments and anything else you can think of to share how truly special and one-of-a-kind your graduate is. Fill the table with decorations like confetti, framed photos, awards, trophies, balloon arches and more. 

DIY Decorations for a Graduation Party

5. Words of Wisdom Letters

When families and friends gather for these occasions, everyone has a word of wisdom or two to share, no matter their age. Set up a “Words of Wisdom” station where guests can share some advice with the soon-to-be or new graduate. Meaningful decorations will leave a lasting impact on your graduate because let's be honest, life never slows down! Sometimes words from the ones we love are just what we need to get through the natural highs and lows of the world.

6. Pin the Tassel on the Cap

The easiest decorations for a graduation party to DIY are the ones that take inspiration from easy-to-replicate trends. And this one puts a festive spin on one of the most popular birthday party activities: pin the tail on the donkey. However, instead of a tail, use a tassel and instead of a donkey, use a commencement cap! Not only is this game a fun way to encourage a few laughs, but it’s easy to make from home. 

7. Graduate’s Favorites: Snack Bar

Did you know decorations can be edible? This spin on the appreciation table doesn’t honor your graduate per se, but it does honor their favorite snacks! Create a table with a fun, tiered display of favorite snacks and finger foods for everyone to enjoy. 

8. Custom Face Signs

Decorations for a graduation party don’t always have to be about the graduate but it’s more fun when they are! You can get custom signs made with the graduate’s face. Place them at the entrance so they’re the first thing people see when they arrive, or place them near the photo booth so that when the graduate isn’t around, they can still be included in the picture. 

9. Send-off Sparklers

Sparklers have got to be one of the most fun decorations for a graduation party. They’re exciting, festive and the perfect activity for when there’s a lull in the evening. Nothing brings the energy back up quite like playing with fire (safely, of course). 

10. Polaroid Scrapbook

Make a scrapbook in real-time with a Polaroid scrapbooking station. Create a station with a Polaroid camera, film and scrapbooking supplies. As the party carries on, guests can take a selfie to add to the scrapbook so that the graduate can look back on one of the most important seasons of their life and remember exactly who was there to make it so special.

Fun Decorations for a Graduation Party

11. Money Cake

There’s really only one thing a high schooler needs and this decoration for a graduation party covers it: money. Use rolled-up bills to make a tiered cake that the graduate can dig into when the party is over. Display the money cake with other decorations that indicate where your guests can leave cards or presents for the graduate. It’s one of the most practical, yet festive, decorations for a graduation party. 

12. College Choice Theme

If your high schooler has decided they’d like to go to college and has already been accepted, a graduation party is the perfect opportunity to share your support for this next big step. The majority of people see value in their college experience, according to the Pew Research Center, so the crowd is sure to be on board. Keep up with the theme by incorporating the college’s colors, mascot and logo in your graduation party decorations.

13. Memory Jar

Similar to words of wisdom letters, a memory jar is a decoration for a graduation party list that's all about crowd participation. Guests will take time to think about their favorite memories with the graduate. Once they’ve come up with the perfect one, they’ll jot it down on a note and add it to a memory jar. The memory jar can then serve as a time capsule over the years to come. It will be there for your graduate whenever they're feeling homesick or missing their friends and family.

Decorations for a Graduation Party​ FAQs

How Do You Personalize a Graduation Party?

The best way to personalize your decorations for a graduation party is to focus on the accomplishments and aspirations of the person you’re celebrating. Great questions to ask when considering personalized decorations are: What do they want to do after they graduate? What has been the highlight of their academic career so far? What clubs or extracurricular activities are they a part of?

What Is a Reasonable Budget for a Graduation Party?

You can come up with great decorations for a graduation party with as little as $100-$300 if you don’t want to break the bank. Shop at the dollar store or on discount party sites. For food, turn it into a potluck or a make-your-own food bar. You could even host a joint party with other graduates to cut costs! If you’d rather rent a venue, have it catered and get some live entertainment, you should be prepared to spend anywhere between $1,500-$5,000. 

What Colors Do You Use for a Graduation Party?

Decorations for a graduation party can be any color you choose. But again, personalize the festivity by keeping your graduate in mind! Stick to a theme you know they’d love or choose colors that you know would make them feel special. As mentioned, you can’t go wrong with gold.

See, decorations for a graduation party don't have to be drab or too expensive. In fact, the best decorations come from the heart, so keep things sensible and sentimental. 

For even more decoration ideas and more, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!