This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for details.

It’s Graduation Season!

Plan Like A Pro.

Graduations are soooo much fun – for the graduate AND for the guests. But, it takes some planning on the front end for everything to go smoothly. We have Five Tips to Survive Graduations to help parents, relatives, friends and siblings get ready for the big day!

5 Tips to Survive Graduations

It’s May, and we are in the heart of graduation season. There is nothing like a high school or collegiate graduation! A diploma is sooooo much more than a piece of paper. It is a physical representation of diligence, determination and sacrifice. I’ve had the pleasure of  attending many graduations and graduation parties over the past few years. I’ve seen families do graduation well, and ummmmm…not so well.

These Five Tips to Survive Graduations were on my cheat sheet list when our daughter graduated high school. Recently, we attended a college graduation for dear friends. The entire evening flowed so well…..my friend knew the tips hands down! Before you flock your yard with graduation signs like these, check out these tips!

 1. FIND A MEETING PLACE BEFORE THE CEREMONY TO MEET UP AFTERWARDS

Here’s the deal: graduations are CROWDED. There is a max exodus at the end and you (or your family/friends) can quickly get stuck in the flow. Like this:

Look at that! All those mamas, dads, uncles, aunts, friends & cousins  pressing to get outdoors to see their new graduate. Now, if you didn’t plan ahead with a common meeting place for everyone, this is what you will see:

One guy even resorted to height to find his group.

Now, here’s how a smart group planned ahead:

Check that out! Happy families….together! Notice they picked a meeting place at the far end of the venue, away from where the graduates exit. That’s what you should do, too! Cross #1 off your list of Five Tips to Survive Graduation.

2. CARPOOL

This is a no brainer, yet we long to have our own car at our beck and call. Graduation is a whole new ballgame. It’s like Black Friday meets the Super Bowl. So, just no. CARPOOL instead!

Photo credit: John Koster/ The North County Times[/caption]

There will be a looooong line of cars exiting the stadium, arena or gym parking lot. Smart families carpool. Once you are at your appointed meeting place, take some photos and head to the car.

We witnessed the beauty of this first hand at the college graduation we attended.

My super smart friend (she’s southern hospitality all the way) had her family meet together after the ceremony then ride together to the restaurant. (They carpooled from the hotel to the graduation venue.) This made exiting the parking lot and meeting them at the restaurant for dinner a snap. It was so thoughtful, and very practical!

3. MAKE DINNER RESERVATIONS or CELEBRATE AT HOME

I just referenced how we all met at the restaurant so easily after graduation. (Again, my sweet friend had this plan down to a science!) She selected a divine restaurant a mile or so from the venue that accepted reservations. (It was quaint, so very “old Florida” , and had the best seafood I’d had in a long time.) So, if you are not celebrating at home after the ceremony, find a restaurant that will hold a table for your group. No one wants to stand outside a big chain restaurant with a gazillion other graduates waiting for the buzzer in their hand to vibrate. 🙂 If you entertain at home, I recommend a multi-server hot chafing dish like this one. You can use it for home-gating tailgate parties, too!

4. PHOTOGRAPHY

Hint: Tap 2 family members or friends to be your photographers before, during & after graduation. Give one a camera, the other can use their phone. Mixed media- don’t ya love it?
As moms & dads, you should be in the  moment with your graduate and your guests. Having two photographers ensures that all of your family’s special moments are captured.

5. BABIES

We just adore babies! Love them, as a matter of fact. But the reality is that sometimes graduation ceremonies just don’t coincide with a little one’s schedule. Some occur outdoors in the blistering sun in large stadiums and take hours to finish. Others are at night time when toddlers and infants are used to winding down at home with bottles and cozy blankets. It’s no wonder they become restless! Do the graduate’s family a teeny favor….leave adorable Sadie at home. Or, bring her for the beginning for pictures only.

Now you have the Five Tips to Survive Graduations….enjoy and congratulations!

GRADUATION SHOPPING

Totally Tailgates is a participant in Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.