Decoration Ideas for a Rectangle Graduation Table

Decorating for a graduation party can be done using a theme, your graduate's name, school colors or your grad's interests. As it can be a once-in-a-lifetime event, you don't have to worry about going overboard on this occasion. It's common to have stations set up with memorabilia from the grad's educational career, so dig out those mementos. Does this Spark an idea?

Photo Boards

Top your table with one or two science-fair style presentation boards covered in photos of your grad. Look for colored boards or paint them with the appropriate colors, then gather up photos of your grad through the years: the first day of kindergarten, learning to ride a bike, embarrassing photos from middle school, prom pictures, sports photos and, finally, senior portraits. Include photos with friends and family, too.

Achievement Collages

If your grad has a number of awards and accolades to boast about, put together an arrangement, collage or book displaying the many certificates, medals and trophies collected over the years, from Little League statuettes and science fair honorable mentions to academic team medals and, of course, the high school diploma. If you're decorating only one table, these can be combined with photo collages for one, big memory table.

Life-Size Cutouts

Surprise (or embarrass) your grad by taking a full-length photo and having it blown up into a life-size cardboard cutout. Place your table up against the back wall of the party location and put your cutout on top of it, surrounded by balloons, confetti and other party paraphernalia. If you're throwing a joint party for your grad and a friend, group the cutouts together to remind those attending who the guests of honor are.

Videos

Another thing you can use your rectangular table for is a platform for a TV and DVD player. Show videos of your grad from childhood or put the video of the graduation on loop for the party. If your graduate's class made a senior video, you might want to run that. You can also have videos made that are slide shows of photos, chronicling your child's development.

Cake Display

If you'll have a lot of guests, or if you're hoping for a lot of leftover cake, consider having a large sheet cake made for the occasion. You can use your table to display the cake, with drinks and cups to one side and plates, forks and napkins on the other. Dress the table with a colorful tablecloth and other decorations such as confetti and balloons.