Graduation party decorations: ideas that work with a food table
We do not sell decorations, but the food table does a lot of the work. Trays, a dessert spread and a few school-color touches cost less than you think.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
For graduation party decorations, keep it simple: school colors on the tablecloth, a photo board, and a food table that looks full. We do not sell decorations, balloons or banners, so those come from a party store or your own closet. What we do is the food, and a well-arranged table is the best decoration at most graduation open houses.
What we sell and what we do not
We cook and deliver food. We do not supply tables, linens, balloons, signs or centerpieces. If you need serving gear, we do rent and sell some: a Chafing Dish Set is $17 for each hot dish and is yours to keep, and Serving Tongs & Spoons are $1 each.
Let the food be the centerpiece
A table with one tall, bright thing on it looks planned. A few ways to get there with food:
- Put a Seasonal Fresh Fruit Display, $74 a tray, in the middle of the table. It brings color without any extra cost.
- Stack the dessert table with different shapes and colors. Chocolate Covered Strawberries, $69 for 35 to 40, sit well next to Brownies, $59 for 35.
- Use a Watermelon Wedge Platter, $59 for 40 to 45 pieces, for a summer open house.
Our cold platters come on black lacquer trays, which look clean against a school-color tablecloth in red, blue, green or gold.
A dessert spread for 50 guests
If you want a dessert table that looks generous, plan more than one kind of sweet. We plan about one to two pieces per guest for a table that sits beside a full meal. For 50 guests, that is roughly 50 to 100 pieces.
- 1 tray Brownies, 35 count: $59
- 1 tray Chocolate Drizzled Mini Cream Puffs, 50 count: $45
- 1 tray Assorted Home Baked Cookies, 40 count: $45
- 1 tray Chocolate Covered Strawberries, 35 to 40 count: $69
That is 160 or more pieces for $218, before 9.25% sales tax. It is more than 50 guests will eat, which is the point of a dessert table that looks full. Take out the strawberries and it drops to $149.
Cheap touches that make it look finished
- Serve drinks on their own small table so the food line does not stall. Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade is $89 for 50 servings, cups included.
- Put a printed card in front of each tray naming the dish. Guests with allergies will thank you.
- Use one color across napkins and tablecloth. Disposable Appetizer Plates & Napkins are $0.99 a person.
- Hang a photo banner or lay out yearbooks at the end of the line, not the start, so the line keeps moving.
Food that holds up on a table
Graduation parties run long. Cold platters, cheese trays and desserts are easy to leave out. Hot trays need a chafing dish. For a full menu with costs for 50, 100 and 150 guests, see graduation party food for 50, 100 or 150. The graduation party checklist covers the dates, and our graduation party catering page has the rest.
When you know your headcount, ask for a quote. Trays have no minimum. We ask for about three days' notice, and you can pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville or have delivery quoted when you order. Call (630) 553-9533.
Questions
Do you sell graduation party decorations?
No. We cook food and rent some serving gear. Decorations come from a party store.
What goes on a graduation party food table?
A main, two or three sides, a fruit or veggie tray and desserts. Each of our trays serves about 20 people.
How early should I order?
We ask for about three days' notice for standard orders. Earlier is easier on everyone, and we can confirm your date by phone.
Graduation party catering: feed the whole family, then sit down with them
