At this time last year, it was incredibly difficult to plan any type of graduation party (or any event, really) due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic. With social distancing measures in place, it was hard to figure out how a group of people could safely interact with each other and prevent the spread.
Fast-forward to one year later: Much progress has been made and vaccination numbers continue to rise, which is resulting in social distancing restrictions beginning to ease. And what perfect timing; the weather is getting nicer, summer is right around the corner, and it’s also time to celebrate those hard-working students as they graduate.
We know that not everyone will be comfortable getting together for an event yet — and that’s completely understandable! But with current social distancing guidelines, an outdoor backyard graduation party could be the perfect option for groups who do want to socialize in person. Backyards can accommodate more guests (especially the grad’s friends) and provide more space than restaurants or halls, plus they’re extremely inexpensive!
An outdoor party also has a certain charm and feel which makes the backyard a very welcoming and a great place to entertain, especially given current circumstances. To make sure your yard is ready to celebrate the special graduates, here are our 5 best outdoor grad party décor ideas that will be sure to make the night even more magical.
String Lights
Chances are, if you’re having an outdoor party, it’s going to be planned for later in the day or the evening — especially if it’s hot out. If that’s the case, you’ll need to have proper lighting in place to accommodate when the sun does eventually go down. The easiest, most inexpensive, and best-looking lights that will really set the mood for the night are simple string lights.
Putting several strands of string lights around your yard will create a relaxing ambiance for your celebration — and your guests will absolutely love them! The warm glow of lights strung in the trees, along fences, or hung on deck structures and poles, can turn any outdoor area into an elegant space for a celebration.
Balloon Garland
If you’re looking for a way to make your outdoor celebration pop and really show off the grad, a balloon garland is a fantastic way to compliment your décor. Balloon garlands are all the rage at parties these days; DIY balloon garlands are perfect as photo booth backdrops, cascading down the stairs, or around a dessert table.
Plus, all of the grads will love to take photos to post on social media in front of an amazing balloon garland! To add even more detail to the garland, you can include large number balloons to signify the year they graduated.
Lawn Games
Now this one is definitely optional, but we guarantee it will be an absolute hit! If you have the space available (doesn’t matter if it’s grass, concrete, or even dirt), we highly encourage incorporating some sort of lawn game for your guests to play while they mingle — just don’t forget the hand sanitizer!
Lawn games have become increasingly popular, and they’re a great way to get more people involved at your gathering. Games like cornhole (also known as “washers”), giant Jenga, and even big versions of classic games like Connect 4 and chess, are all fun and entertaining options for multiple guests to enjoy as they celebrate throughout the night.
Pop-up Tent Canopy
Even though summer is quickly approaching, and the weather is starting to brighten up, that doesn’t mean it still can’t get in the way of an outdoor celebration. If you’re hosting an outdoor party, it is absolutely essential to have a pop-up tent canopy available in case of hot or bad weather.
Pop-up tent canopies will protect food tables and guests alike from either too much sunlight, or possibly rain. We understand that a pop-up tent canopy isn’t quite “décor”, but they are perfect for all outdoor events — rain or shine! Most of them fold up very compactly for easy storage as well, so after your event, they can also be used to take to sporting events, the beach, or craft shows.
New Outdoor Furniture
If you’ve finished decorating your outdoor space for the big day, but still feel like something’s missing, adding a brand-new piece of backyard furniture could make a huge difference! Adding something like an outdoor sofa, some new chairs and/or stools, or potentially something a little more extravagant like a fire pit, could really help make your yard stand out and have guests raving about it for years to come.
With our top selection of outdoor furniture and yard accessories, you’ll be sure to find something that accents your outdoor space perfectly just in time for the big day. Call us with any questions you may have about our outdoor or patio furnishings!
Even when times are rough and the news is gloomy, a well-put-together outdoor party can brighten up everyone’s spirits. If you need help decorating or getting your outdoor space ready for a grad party, contact us today or shop our catalog of outdoor furniture and yard accessories here to guarantee it’s the best celebration yet!