When spring rolls around, high school seniors across the country are excited about senior parties, Prom, senior skip days, and graduation. In the last several weeks, we’ve seen high schools cancel or postpone these milestone events. In the wake of these disappointments, we are searching for ways to honor our seniors’ accomplishments. Our celebrations may look a little different, but we can still applaud their achievements and celebrate their next adventure.
Here are 8 fun ways to celebrate your graduate during the quarantine.
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Decorate your front yard There’s something that makes us giddy when we see balloons or celebration signs in a front yard. Etsy and Oriental Trading have great selections of yard signs you can order online to give your senior a special shout out. There are also many local and nation-wide businesses Ballooms, Sign Dreamers, Sign Gypsies, and Card My Yard who would love the opportunity to work with you.
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Decorate your front door – We were super excited to see Good Morning America highlight parents decorating their front door in honor of their graduate. Pull out their sports jersey, band uniform, instruments, letter jacket, academic awards, cheer uniform, and any other highlight and proudly display them on your front door.
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Throw a household graduation party – You may not be able to celebrate at their favorite restaurant or host a large party, but you can still get dressed up and throw a household party. Order take out from their favorite restaurant or make their favorite home-cooked meal. Decorate with balloons, streamers, and garland. Honor their next adventure with personalized cups and napkins. Personalize these party goods with their name, monogram, or school. Save the reusable cups and extra napkins for them to use again when they get settled in their new space.
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Host a virtual graduation party – Gather a group of friends on Zoom or other video meeting platform to wish the graduate congratulations. Each person might share a funny memory or provide advice for life after graduation. The graduate might even want to give a commencement speech. Tell your guests to come with their favorite drink or cocktail to virtually toast the graduate at the end of the call.
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Take photos in their cap and gown – Seeing your child in their cap and gown can be a cherished experience for a parent. There’s no reason to miss that special life moment. Pull out the cap and gown and hold a photo session at home. You’ll look back and be glad you captured this moment.
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Organize a drive-by parade – Set up a drive-by parade for your graduate. Family and friends can decorate their cars with streamers, balloons, and signs and drive by to help celebrate the graduate. Have the parade of cars blast their favorite tune and honk their horns as they wave and shout, “Congratulations!”
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Make a happy graduation video – Since most schools are closed, seniors might not have the opportunity to say good-bye to classmates, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Why not collect video messages and photos to create a virtual greeting card or montage? Tribute makes creating a video montage super easy. You invite friends and family to join a celebration and all they have to do is record a short video and upload it. You compile the videos in the order you like and share it with the graduate.
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Send them a fun treat in the mail – You may not be able to see the graduate face to face, but you can still send them something fun. Who doesn’t love receiving a surprise in the mail? With everyone spending more time at home, a cozy blanket makes the perfect graduation gift. Personalize it with their name, monogram, college, favorite quote, or saying. Personalized wireless chargers are also a favorite graduation gift. They eliminate the need for charging cords and allow your graduate to use their phone hands-free – easier to FaceTime with mom! Laundry is still piling up so send them a personalized laundry bag to use at home or the dorm. With a drawstring top and a cotton woven shoulder strap, the trek to laundry room will be a breeze.