Graduation Party Dessert Ideas

When planning the menu for your graduation party, keep in mind there will likely be a large number of guests, ranging in age from very young children to older grandparents and neighbors. Many may not have a place to sit, and thus food that is easy to handle while standing and maneuvering around is a great idea. Also, paper products that can be thrown away after use are easier to clean up. You may want your graduation menu to include:

· Sub sandwiches or other finger foods as the main course. You can get the sandwiches prepared at the shop, or you can provide meats, cheeses, toppings, and condiments so that your partygoers can make their own. Some people may prefer a taco bar, hot dog bar, or pizzas. Each provides for a number of different topping options. However, if you'd like to serve hot food, be sure you have the supplies necessary to keep it warm even for anyone who may arrive late.

· Cheese and cracker trays, fruit trays, and veggie trays allow people to get a lot of variety in easy to eat foods. You can also provide a number of different dips to accompany them.

· Chips, pretzels, and other snack items will be eaten throughout the celebration. Even if people do not want to make a full plate, they can fill a napkin with snacks to carry around with them.

· In addition to typical pop, juice, and water, you may consider having a snow cone bar where children can choose their own syrup, or a number of different punch bowls full of beverages and sherbet. Be sure to have many cups, as people often set them down and walk off.

· A dessert table with cookies, brownies, individual candies or fudge is an excellent alternative or addition to a traditional cake.

In planning a graduation party, you want to ensure the celebration is enjoyable for guests of all ages. One of the most important items to plan for is the graduation party menu. You'll want to offer menu items that are easy for guests to carry around and eat as they mingle with other partygoers. Follow these simple steps to creating a menu to remember.

Main dish: Consider ribs, chicken wings, or submarine sandwiches, which are fun and easy to eat by hand. Another option is pasta, such as spaghetti or lasagna, which is easy to bake in bulk and can also be offered as a vegetarian dish.
Side items: Cheese and crackers provide an easy means for guests to snack throughout the party. Vegetables and dip and fruit skewers are another healthy option, and they can add a splash of color to a food table. You may also want to offer a variety of salads, such as Greek salad, Caesar salad, and even pasta or potato salad.
Drinks: In addition to offering cans of pop and bottled water, you may wish to have a large punch bowl. Adding ginger ale and rainbow sherbet to fruit punch creates a delicious beverage that guests will love. Some people even wish to have a sno-cone maker, in which younger guests can create their own icy treats in a variety of flavors.
Dessert: A dessert table is always a crowd pleaser. In addition to a large graduation cake, you may want to provide bite size treats in many flavors. Include chocolate and fruit-flavored desserts, as well as those that include caramel or nuts. This way, you will have something for everyone. Candy dishes may also be spread throughout the party, and they can serve as both a bright and colorful decoration and a fun snack item.

Here are some graduation party main dish menu suggestions:

Lasagna and/or other pasta dishes (purchased or homemade)
Pizza buffet (use pizza ovens, rather than heating up the house with your regular oven) Pizzas can be homemade, "take and bake," pizzeria pizzas, or frozen pizzas.
Barbequed, shredded turkey, shredded roast beef, or pulled pork sandwiches served on buns
Roast beef sandwiches served on buns
Hot or cold turkey sandwiches served on buns
Hot or cold ham sandwiches served on buns
Meat and cheese platters served with bread or buns
Dessert buffet