Graduation party season is quickly approaching, and it can be incredibly overwhelming to plan that kind of event.

Here are some tips on how to make the process most stress-free:

• Throw it with a friend!
  • If you happen to have a friend that you’ve known for a long time and have similar friend groups, throwing a joint party can save money for both families.
• Rent a location
  • If you worry that your house is too small to accommodate all of your guests, you can rent a room at a local park, or something similar
• Get food trays from a grocery store
  • Lots of money can be saved by avoiding catering. Stores like Meijer or Target have trays of finger-foods, which is much more convenient and cheaper than a full meal
• Have a box with a slit in it for cards
  • Most guests will bring cards to show their congratulations, so if you have a large box with a slit on top making it easy for guests to drop off their cards, it will save lots of awkwardness
• Have a photobooth
  • People love taking pictures with the grad, so setting up a cheap backdrop with little props can make for cute pictures
• Cupcakes
  • No one wants to stand around waiting for cake to be cut, so cupcakes are the easier and more mess-free option
• Decorate with you college colors
  • Have streamers, balloons, etc. of your college’s colors!
• Have fun
  • This could be your last “hurrah” with some of your friends, co-workers, teachers, etc., so have fun with it, and don’t stress out.