Planning the party is without any doubt the most important and most difficult part of throwing the party.  You want to do it right, you want to make your child the star but how.

First, and, decide on your budget.  Even with a small budget, you can achieve something great without lessening the quality.  All you need to do is use your imagination.  Your budget dictates the size of your guest list.  It will limit the number since you need to be able to feed them and the location for the party must be big enough.  Even if you choose to use your home, the most common choice, remember your house is only so big and you need to consider the impact on your neighbours.

Next, you have to decide on the food you serve.  As with everything else, your budget has an effect.  You can have a barbeque, order in takeout or bring in outside catering if you can afford it.  As most, if not all, of the guests will be underage, don’t have alcohol. 

You need to send your invitations well in advance.  This allows people to respond in a timely fashion.  There is no need to have enough food for fifty people if only thirty are going to attend.  To save money, you can buy pre-printed invitations from your local stationary store, order professional, personalised invitations or write them yourself.

Purchase supplies and not just for decorations.  Make sure people have somewhere to sit, plates to eat from and above all, have film in the camera.  Some people may not be able to attend but would like to see what happened.  Besides, the graduate or yourself might like a photo album to remember the day.  When it comes to decoration, try to order a cake with icing that matches.