Need some graduation party food ideas? I’ve done this a time or two and I do have some ideas…
Here I am, almost ready (or not) to graduate our Boy#3.
I’ve done this before, so I haven’t been quite as emotional this time around. That is, until I pulled this gem out of the archives. I haven’t stopped crying since…
This was Elias with Keith last winter just a few weeks after the precious babe was placed with us. One of my favorite things about watching Elias grow into a young man ready to graduate has been seeing him with our foster and adopted kids. He has been selfless and servant-hearted as he’s helped us care for and love these babes.
I sent him off to prom last year, and soon we’ll be sending him off to college.
Fun fact, taking in foster children and adopting little ones who’ve experienced trauma has influenced Elias’ career path. He’s chosen to go to York College and major in Psychology. We’ll see where God takes him from there. What a fantastic young man!!
Curious how we have a homeschool graduation for our kids?
It’s a pretty special time, and it looks like this.
And now that I’m teary-eyed, we will talk about food.
I’ve always left most of the menu choices up to my graduate. It’s their celebration, after all! Of course, I do guide them toward choosing food that is fairly easy to make for a large crowd. And I also steer them toward a menu that will allow me to have most of the food prepared ahead of time so that I can enjoy the party with our guests!
Graduation Party Food Ideas
These are ideas I’ve either used myself or have eaten at parties we’ve enjoyed with friends. There’s really no limit to graduation party food ideas, but I do think these should be taken into consideration:
- What does the graduate want/like?
- What can be made ahead of time?
- What works well to feed a crowd?
- What can be turned over to friends and extended family so that the immediate family can enjoy the guests and the graduate?
So with that in mind, here are some great party food ideas!
Taco or Nacho Bar
It’s quite simple to make nacho or taco fixin’s ahead of time. Set out a buffet of chips or taco shells, meat (in a crock pot to keep it hot), cheese, salsa, sour cream, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and whatever else you might like.
Baked Potato Bar
Bake potatoes in a crock pot like this (or in an Instant Pot on manual pressure for 10 minutes). Set them out with a variety of toppings like taco meat, chopped ham, bacon bits, shredded cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, green onions, tomatoes, black beans, chili, jalapenos, banana wax peppers, olives, steamed broccoli, steamed peas, and whatever else you might like.
Smoothie Station
A friend of ours did this for their son’s graduation and it was brilliant! They had several tables set up with blenders, and had friends running each smoothie station. Party guests could select their smoothie ingredients, and they offered choices like frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mango, pineapple, and banana. They had milk, yogurt, and orange juice as add-ins. Whipped cream to spray on top – fun straws and colored napkins. It was fantastic!
Finger Foods
A table filled with finger foods like cheese and crackers, chips and dips, veggies and dips, fruits and dips, meatballs, smokies, cookies, and such? You can’t go wrong! It’s simple and fun!
Here are our favorite dip ideas:
- Easy White Queso – My Current Favorite!
- Simple Bean and Cheese Salsa Dip
- Creamy Chocolate Fruit Dip
- Creamy Italian Veggie Dip
- Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
- Bacon Ranch Chip Dip
- French Onion Dip
- Bacon Tomato Dip
- Black Bean Salsa
- Easy Veggie Dip
- Healthier Cheese Dip
- Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Nacho Cheese Pretzel Dip
- Easy Guacomole
- Easy Cheesy Bean Dip
- Hamburber Sauerkraut Dip
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Simple Cake or Cupcakes
No need to serve an entire meal if you don’t want to. There’s nothing wrong with setting out cupcakes or a special cake for the graduate, and leaving it at that! Consider the cake flavors and colors that the graduate likes, then bake and decorate accordingly. (Or order from a bakery because if you have a graduate, you probably don’t have time to bake and decorate.)
Dessert Bar
How about serving a fun variety of dessert options cut into small portions? Cheesecake is always a hit! A variety of cookies on trays, cupcakes, donuts – what are the graduates favorites? Go with it!
Fun at the Grill
Serve burgers, hot dogs, and brats for an outdoor party if the weather is nice. Set out fixins, chips, fruit, and veggies. It’s simple, yet most everyone loves a meal like this!
Here are our favorite special burger recipes:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
It’s super easy and quite inexpensive to slow cook a large pork butt or two. Shred it and serve with with a variety of sauces and buns or tortillas. Add chips, fruit, veggies, and drinks – and you’ve got yourself a simple but great party!
Coffee Station
Here’s a fun idea for setting up an Iced Coffee Bar. Use the same concept for hot coffee too!
The ideas for graduation party food ideas are endless! Make the most of your time celebrating your graduate!
Im assuming this was a pre-set automatic post as there is no reference to Coronavirus, but if not please, please postpone your gathering in the middle of this current global crisis. I know it’s been disappointing for graduates all over the world to have had their celebrations cancelled but there is so much more at stake including many many people’s lives and livelihoods. I’m not sure if your state has been affected much yet (assuming not if you are still allowed gatherings) but it’s become too real for many of us. In my area we are not allowed any social contact outside our household and only allowed out for essential groceries and medical. Having a crowd to your house puts your family and community at risk, and also lengthens the lock down period for those of us already in mandatory lock in.
Yep! I wrote and scheduled this before the outbreak. There will likely be no party for him in May as planned. :)