For a twist on the classic graduation cook out, create a special theme for the party.
Graduation parties are a great way to get family and friends together to acknowledge the accomplishments of the person who graduated. If you have a son, daughter or other family member who is graduating from high school or college in the spring or early summer, heat up the grill and throw a graduation party cookout in your backyard. The backyard will give you the space to spread out and throw a graduation bash to be remembered.
Hawaiian Luau
Throw the fun-loving graduate an Hawaiian-themed cookout. Serve up Hawaiian-style beef, chicken and pork. Grill pineapple slices as well. If you can afford it, have a pit roast using a whole pig. Use large pineapples as table centerpieces. Set up tiki torches and fake palm trees around the backyard, and line the buffet table with grass skirts. Throw graduation-themed confetti on the tables. Give out plastic leis to each guest but have a real one for the graduate being honored. For entertainment, hire real hula dancers and a fire-eater. Rent a Hawaiian shaved-ice machine for the night. Have the hula dancers teach guests do a real hula dance.
School Colors
Throw a classic graduation cookout for the graduate and her friends using the school's colors, that will have them reminiscing about the years they spent together. Let's say, for example, the school colors are blue and silver. Alternate tables with blue and silver tablecloths, with blue and silver balloons as the centerpieces. Get blue napkins made that say the class year on them in silver. Surprise your graduate with a slide show of picture of her and her friends throughout their years in school together and rent an outdoor projector and screen to play it during the party. Have a blue backdrop area where the graduates can take pictures of themselves, or hire a professional photographer.
Upscale Garden Party Theme
For the sophisticated graduate, throw an elegant garden party cookout. Use wicker tables and chairs covered in white linen and use real glasses, silverware and china dinner plates. Grill elegant cuts of meat such as whole beef tenderloin, lamb kebabs and made-to-order grilled steaks with blue cheese. Create floating candle centerpiece with water in a bowl surrounded by flowers. Have the guests come in casual chic attire. If you're backyard doesn't have much flowers, bring in potted flowery plants for more of a garden feel. Have a champagne toast for a college graduate 21 years or older, or use sparkling cider for the high-school graduate.
Tags: blue silver, with blue, classic graduation, hula dancers, party cookout, real hula, school colors