Graduation season is upon us! It's like really, really soon, and if your budget has been keeping you from planning a celebration for your graduate, you might soon find yourself scrambling to plan some way to recognize your child's accomplishment. You may even have given up on the idea that you'll be able to afford to do anything at all for your kiddo's graduation. But graduations are so special and deserve to be acknowledged, whether your kindergartner is moving up or you have a high school senior on your hands.
More from MamásLatinas: Last-minute ideas to celebrate your kids' graduations safely
First off, forget about trying to keep up with anybody else. Your child's graduation celebration will be special because of all the love you've poured into it regardless of what you end up doing, and you shouldn't compare yourself to others. Now that that's out of the way, here are some things you can do to celebrate your child's graduation without breaking the bank.
Ditch the venue.
Instead of trying to book an expensive venue for your child's graduation, have it at home. If you don't have the space, see if a close family member or friend is willing to let you have a get-together at their house. Graduations usually happen during the nicest weather of the year, so a backyard party is perfect.
Only invite family.
Keep your child's graduation party small by inviting only close family. Latinos don't really need anybody else to make it a party anyway. An added bonus is that family will likely offer to contribute food as well, which will help cut back on costs.
Make it a joint party.
Talk to a few other parents and see if anyone would be interested in a joint graduation party. Chances are, there are other parents who would be keen on a budget-friendly option. Then you could either split cooking duties or the cost of catering and save tons of money.
Order pizza.
If your kiddo really wants to invite some friends, let them, but instead of making it a big ordeal with lots of expensive food, just order pizza. Seriously, this is about the kids, and that's what they're gonna like anyway. Order a stack of pies and let that be that. If there are any allergies, just add a frozen allergen-free pizza to the mix.
Forgo the party.
Believe it or not, a weekend away can actually be far more affordable than throwing a graduation party for 25 to 50 people. Pick a locale that you can feasibly visit as a family within your budget, and surprise your graduate with a super-fun trip. You could save hundreds and have even more fun.
Pick an outing.
Alternatively, talk to your child about what THEY want to do and organize a fun outing for the family and maybe a close friend or two to do just that. Laser tag, a treetop ropes course, slime making, an art museum, or a trip to the movies are all good options that can be far more budget-friendly than a graduation party.
Don't worry about decorations.
It's completely OK to skip all the gimmicky graduation decorations from the party store. All those paper decorations tend to get destroyed midway through any party anyway, and those that don't just end up in the trash at the end of the day. Why waste the money? A few balloons or fresh flowers will suffice and still look festive.
Repurpose Christmas lights.
Again, don't spend money on decor! Twinkle lights add instant ambiance to any party. They are so pretty you don't even need any other decorations. Dig out those Christmas lights, string them up, and call it a party.
Donate to a charity in their name.
Kids these days know how important it is to stand up for what's right and to advocate for those in need. Instead of hosting a pricey grad party, talk to your kid about what's important to them and offer to make a donation to a cause they care about in their name.
Get a big gift instead.
A big graduation party could end up costing thousands of dollars, which of course is exactly why it can be a stressful thought for those on a tight budget. Instead of essentially throwing the money away on a day that will come and go, get your child a big gift instead. A new laptop, an upgraded cellphone, or even a used car will last longer and might even be cheaper.
Make it virtual.
One trend that came out of 2020 was the virtual get-together, which can be an affordable but still totally fun and celebratory option for just about any occasion. Everybody's used to it and knows how to do it at this point, so no one would think twice about a virtual graduation party. And it can basically be free!
Host an outdoor movie night.
Another fun alternative is to plan a fun outdoor movie night and have your kid invite just their closest friends. This party is just for the kids, so you'll spend a lot less than if everyone's family was attending as well. Plus, kids don't need anything to be too fancy; they just want to hang out and have fun together. Casual is always cheaper.
Make it BYO.
If you are definitely going to have a graduation get-together, make it BYO. As in, bring your own lawn chairs, bring your own games (lawn, card, board), and definitely bring your own bottle. There's no shame in having guests chip in with things they already have at home.
Buy in bulk.
So you're keeping your child's grad party small, minimizing decorations, but still need some supplies and food? Head to your local warehouse store, and buy what you need in bulk to save as many cents as you can. Just be sure not to overbuy. Any items that you won't use all of or can't save for later, buy elsewhere in smaller sizes rather than wasting.
Shop around.
Anything you can't buy in bulk, be sure to shop around for and compare prices. Look online for coupons, and check which store in your area has what you need for the best price. Eliminate anything that's just not in the budget, and don't feel bad about it. Your child's graduation party should be about celebrating their accomplishment and spending time together, not elaborate food, decorations, or activities.
