Graduation Ideas Needed « Junk Revolution Community - Rescue / Reuse / Reimagine / Inspire

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Topic: Graduation Ideas Needed

(37 posts)

Started 4 years ago by nebrjunk456
Latest reply from Breznlin

nebrjunk456
Member
My second son will be graduating on May 9th, so I have been getting ready for a big celebration!

Here are a few of the goodies that I will be working with to decorate for the party. These are the cupcakes wrappers, flags for the cupcakes, and the napkins.

I would like to do a woodsy, manly feel with actual logs for the centerpieces, gardeners burlap for the table coverings, and slices of wood to serve some of the food from. I am looking for any suggestions or ideas that anyone thinks would be a great addition to the plan.

I haven't made any decisions on the florals, but would like some great foresty greens, ferns, and some kind of white flowers. I will take photos and share them with all of you after we get things all arranged and set.

I look forward to everyone suggestions, thanks in advance!
Attachments
1. DSC03846.jpg (59.6 KB, 2 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
Ki
Member

Love the color story!! I would like industrial junk mixed in...it is a guys party, right? How 'bout tractor seats for risers for serving dishes? Love the brown pottery cowboy looking pitchers for flowers. Write stuff with chalk on rocks. Have any slate roof tiles? Will folks bring gifts? How 'bout a rusty (sprayed with poly) wheelbarrow for a gift catchall...something for envelops...those old tractor compartments would be great. I like the fern idea...Can you tier the log slices in a waterfall for cupcakes? I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Peace,
Ki

Posted 4 years ago #
Lila
Member

This article was in our local newpaper today. I wondered when would be an occassion to do this but your event sounds like a good one to consider it. I hope the link works:http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/23/stone-special/

Also today I was experimenting with a chocolate CD mold. I found myself with lots and lots of empty CD jewel cases so I ordered a mold and made some personalized sleeves. They make very cute favors or "thank you" happies.

Posted 4 years ago #
Leveta
Member

i'm sorry but the only thing that comes to mind is those vases with the whiteish bark glued around them...The choc. CD mold sounds neat...

Posted 4 years ago #
robolady
Member

One of the things we did at our son's party last year, Was, I had a little trash can with a lid, and it was the "advise" box. Get it, advise going right in the trash.

Margo

Posted 4 years ago #
robolady
Member

Here's another idea, how about a money tree. Take a branch with lots of off branches, put it in a pot with some moss or something. People would clip money to it during the party. Fits with the woodsy theme too.
Margo

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member

Wow, you guys are thinking of some great ideas already!!!! Keep up the good work, I'm loving this. I'm getting totally excited to get this party going!!

Posted 4 years ago #
gigi
Member

look up the "Cakegirls" "birch wedding cake"
the cupcakes would look great as mini birch trees w/mushrooms....for a guy....may wanna skip all the cutesy flowers they added :)
and by the way.....isn't your son a cutie-patootie :)
my husband-a nature freak by choice said the best part of being in the woods (besides getting a deer) is the sounds/smells....so maybe you could work that angle in somehow? nature soundtrack...tree branches here/there and maybe a large rustic bird house or something similar hanging from for any cards to be put in?
i do like the old wheel barrel idea for presents....too

Posted 4 years ago #
Tinta
Member

I am so glad you asked for ideas. I have a son graduating also this year. I haven't even thought of the planning of it. Oh, how bad am I. (lol) I guess I didn't realize it was that time. The biggest hint should have been the "prom" this weekend.(duh)
Keep the ideas flowing. I'll need all the help I can get!!!!
I'm liking the industrial idea.
Cindy (tinta)

Posted 4 years ago #
gigi
Member

tinta....any colors/themes, etc come to mind?
you said industrial sounds good...more info, please :)

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member
Look whiat I found today at a garage sale for $5.00, Ki had said in her post "How about a wheel barrel for something to hold the gifts?" As I passed by this garage sale I almost crashed, WOW, a turq wheel barrel, just what I am in need of. I stuffed it in the back seat of my car and off I went. One more element for the party!!
Attachments
1. DSC03867.jpg (62.5 KB, 0 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

Love the wheel barrel - wonderful color and price too!! Would look great in my garden with some flowers!

Posted 4 years ago #
SecondHandRosie
Member

Aww...man! How neat and how appropriate! I love it and I'm sure he will, too.

Posted 4 years ago #
robolady
Member

What a perfect wheel Barrel.
Margo

Posted 4 years ago #
magark
Member

How lucky for you and all the ideas that have been passed to you this week from other junkers. Now to find a pottery pitcher for your flowers or greenery and a few other items and you should be ready to roll. Good luck on your other finds! Just love the turquoise wheelbarrow...! Jan

Posted 4 years ago #
Tinta
Member

Love that wheelbarrow. Hope I can find one. I may have to have my husband fix the one we have. I'm still trying to come up with other ideas. Not even sure where the graduation party is going to be. My son moved into his own house with his girlfriend and I would like to have the party at his house if they would let me. They have a huge heated garage and that would be perfect.(?rain, cold?) They just refinished the hardwoood floors in the house and are OCD about anybody walking on it. (funny how they didn't care about mine ha ha)
My son is so hard to buy cuz all he is into is his car. I'm sick of that car already(lol) I'm thinking of getting him things like a patio table, chairs, a tiller for the garden he wants to have, fire pit, things like that.
I'll be talking to his girlfriend to see if she has any ideas. I'll let you all know and we can go from there.
Cindy (tinta)

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member
A couple more things found today, two of those cute little brown pottery pitchers for flowers...
Attachments
1. DSC03921.jpg (55.1 KB, 0 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
Ki
Member

I can't wait to see the party photos! Love the wheelbarrow! How perfect...can you sew a cotton canvas liner? Love the money tree idea! Have fun!
Peace,
Ki

Posted 4 years ago #
Nifty Vintage
Member

I LOVE that wheelbarrow! It's my fave color!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 4 years ago #
Maggie
Member

How lucky are you to find a wheelbarrow to match your napkins!

Posted 4 years ago #
jillruth
Member

Nebrjunk456--I've been following this thread just loving the ideas then paid attention to your user name. I'm from Nebr. so clicked on your member info. I graduated from Laurel!! Small world. How long have you lived there?

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member
Hi Jillruth! Isn't that funny, I too have seen your name but didn't look to see where you were from, I did check now and see you are from Schuyler, I have a really good friend from there. Her and her husband own B & L Tires. I just drove through there today! Maybe we will meet one of these days!

Another thing, I found some more things for the party to display photos on, I want to display photos but in a cool way, thought these would work pretty good, ane give a little bit of that industrial feeling. One is an old criss-crossy gate and the other is an old chip clip holder!
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1. DSC03982.jpg (43.6 KB, 0 downloads) 4 years old
2. DSC03981.jpg (38.5 KB, 0 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

I have a chip clip holder and I display pictures on mine! I take a piece of cardstock or paper and use the adhesive triangles to attacj the photos and and can change them out from time to time.

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member

That's a great idea to use the cardstock so you can keep changing the photos, I have some cardstock left over from the cupcake wrappers and the flags, think I will do that with the leftovers. I just want to thank all of you for all the great ideas you have input. Can't hardly wait till graduation so I can put it all together so I can take photos and share the end result with all of you, thanks again!!

Posted 4 years ago #
Tinta
Member

Nebrjunk Great fins. I can't wait to see all your stuff put together.
Cindy (tinta)

Posted 4 years ago #
Ki
Member

Now that gate is really cool...and I am a chip clip finatic! I have one that holds the kids photos, diplomas, hockey medallions...the important stuff! Can't wait to see the pics!
Peace,
Ki

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member
Antoher photo of some things I've been gathering to put in the pile for possible use at the graduation party!
Attachments
1. DSC04036.jpg (58 KB, 1 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member
I made it through graduation!!! I'm still sane and everything!!! Posted the photos of the decor if you want to stop over and check it out. Thanks everyone for all of your ideas, we used quite a few of them, your ideas helped to add some of those final touches on the day, thanks so much.

http://daffadowndillys.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-made-it-through-graduation.html
Attachments
1. DSC04136.jpg (64.2 KB, 1 downloads) 4 years old
Posted 4 years ago #
Leveta
Member

It all looks wonderful...I bet it was a blast....Congrats to your grad...

Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

I just checked out all of your pics - You did a wonderful job of decorating etc. and should be very proud of yourself! I love the wheelbarrow along with everything else. Congrats a job well done!

Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

Since we are speaking about graduation, I have a graduation party coming up in June for a Medical school grad who registered at Target for some things since she will have her own apartment while completing her residency. I picked the wine rack from her list but also purchased 6 bottles of wine to go with it. I'm trying to come up with some ideas for wrapping the wine bottles along the medical theme. I was hoping to place them in the same box with the wine rack. Hubby suggested that I wrap the box like a first aid kit - white with a red cross on it which I thought is a great idea. I'm just stumped on the bottles. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Posted 4 years ago #
Leveta
Member

Would be cute if you could fix the bottles like the old time IV's...
And Congrats on you Med grad...

Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

It's not my med school grad but the daughter of our best friends!

Posted 4 years ago #
Leveta
Member

Congrats to them then. That is quite an accomplishment(sp). I wish the young lady many blessings...

Posted 4 years ago #
nebrjunk456
Member

How about sliding paper labels over the bottles with persciptions on them like "Headache --- Drink one glass full every hour until headache subsides or you fall asleep."

Sore Feet ---
Back Ache ----
Celebration of a Great Day ---
First Week of Work ----
First Surgery ----

You get the idea!

Posted 4 years ago #
robolady
Member

It looks beautiful, you went to a lot of work and trouble, and fun for him. I hope he appreciates it. Love all the projects you did, they should be in a magazine.
Margo

Posted 4 years ago #
Breznlin
Member

nebrjunk456 thank you for the idea - this is the one I will most likely use!

Posted 4 years ago #