GRADUATION PARTY IDEAS & KEEPSAKES

​Nostalgia takes over as the school year winds down. Parents, teachers and graduates big and small are preparing for the closing day. As a parent of a child about to graduate, I want to hold tight to every moment because I know how fast it all goes. Within a blink of an eye you’re holding their little hands to help with first steps and then before you know it you’re grabbing a much bigger hand to wish them well on their graduation day. Whether you’re about to undergo a preschool, kindergarten, elementary, high school or university graduation, time keeps going but thankfully these milestones can be framed so that they are with us forever. For this blog I wanted to show you some great ideas using frames to create graduation keepsakes and as well help with your party plans.

​Milestones like graduations go quickly so I’m all for making each celebration memorable by taking extra steps in planning the perfect party and preserving the moment by framing iconic items so I can relive my memories whenever I like. Memories make the best gifts so for teachers and students alike this is the natural choice for a graduation gesture.
 
We love the idea of presenting the teacher with a picture of their graduating class and having all their pupils sign the mat. We know a teacher who has a wall of pictures and autographs from all the students she’s taught over the years. It’s beyond impressive to see the number of little minds and hearts she’s help grow.

​Another great idea is to have all the students do a self-portrait or illustration. Shrink down the images to create one sentimental masterpiece from the graduating class. A teacher will always remember the personalities of each student through their art.

via TheSuburbanMom.com & sjmsfa.com

School friends help our children grow and provide support in a way that a parent can’t. There are numerous ideas to show classmates how important they are. For each student frame their name and a few reasons why they’re so special. This was done at my son’s preschool and it was a hit with the kids and parents. Such a good memory that we still look back on to help us remember that time in his life.

If there’s a best friend that you’d like to highlight there’s no better way than a shadowbox to collect a bunch of memories from tickets to a concert, notes passed in class or fun pictures and trinkets that were shared over the years. Can you imagine pulling this out in 20 years and going through everything that you did!

via world.net & metalandmudblog.com

​I’m big into decorating for every occasion. Seeing my kids’ eyes sparkle as we plan and hang beautiful things up in honor of them is amazing. So I had to show you some unique touches that can be done to make your big day eye-widening perfect!
 
Have a graduation signature board set up for guests to sign as they show up to the party. Having a framed picture of the graduate set in a large mat with a pen close by makes it easy for guests to sign at their leisure. After the party, go to your framer to have a glass pane placed over the entire piece to protect the signatures, words of wisdom and the graduate’s picture. This is an ideal keepsake!

via myweddingreceptionideas.com

​Framed instructions to help guide your guests or label buffet foods are as simple as they are impressive. What’s so great about this idea is that you can swap out the print outs and re-use your frames for each party. 

via hwtm.com & musthavemom.com

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! I have so many great shots of my favorite little subjects. With a graduation being such a mark-able step of your growing child, photos are important. Despite thinking that I’ll remember a moment forever, details of how the kids looked at a certain time get fuzzy and I am always so grateful to have a framed picture to refer to that was saved from fading. 

via amberfarnamphotography.com, lisa-marie-photography.com & bentleyseniors.typepad.com

​Photo “booths” are so much fun and really help amp up the party vibe on your graduation day. Have frames hanging from trees or propped against a wall just waiting for those photo opts!

via stephanie.reifphotography.weebly.com & image found on stylemepretty.com

​If you’re invited to a graduation you know that finding the perfect gift can be challenging. I don’t want to give anther 'dust collector' but want the gift to have some meaning. These money ideas are the perfect choice. The graduate can of course use the money and then is left with a framed memory of their special day.

via zulily.com & etsy.com

You’ve earned it; let’s frame it! We have a big graduation framing special going on right now to make it easy to frame up your degree or diploma. After putting so much effort into your school years you have to give your degree the respect it and you deserve by getting it framed. 

​Beyond the degree there are so many wonderful pieces attached to a graduation that can quickly bring you back to your day when framed. Cap, tassel, sash, valedictorian speech…really anything and everything can be custom framed!

via picture framing magazine

​We hope that you use framing to elevate your graduation party and memories. Tag us on Instagram @leframeshoppe to share your graduation ideas!