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Graduation Get-togethers
Fabulously Fun Open House Ideas By Lisa Marie Metzler
Medical: A visit to your local medical supply store will make your decorating a breeze. Inflate surgical gloves for "balloons." Guests can sign tongue depressors and add words of wisdom for the graduate. Place anatomical posters and models throughout the area. Inexpensive play doctor kits can be used for table centerpieces. Serve food hospital cafeteria style with vending machine munchies in wicker baskets.
Law: Place legal pads near the entry for guests to sign in and add words of wisdom. Velcro "legal briefs" (men's briefs) along the front of the food tables. A brief case can house the graduation cards. Stick legal "red tape" down the center of each table. Construct a makeshift witness stand for guests to sit in and have their picture taken for the graduate to keep. Serve traditional fare or Chinese "take out" for attorneys burning the midnight oil.
Military: Decorate with plenty of flags and a red, white and blue color scheme. Throw in some camouflage napkins or tablecloths. A couple bags of plastic army men, tanks, helicopters and other military toys can be scattered on the tables. Serve the buffet mess hall style.
Business/Financial: Fill inexpensive brief cases with plastic cutlery on the buffet table. Scatter play money on the tables with toy cell phones. Purchase personal business cards (available at www.vistaprint.com) for guests to sign and add words of wisdom. Serve traditional fare with virgin cocktails and candy "Tums," as stressed-out business people have a lot of stomach trouble!
Teaching: Place rulers with quotes about education on the tables for guests to take home. Visit www.quoteland.com for quotes. Be sure to place plenty of shiny apples in bowls for centerpieces. Post educational posters (found at teacher supply stores) in the party area, and have a desk and journal at the entry to serve as a guest sign in. Serve paper sack lunches with a variety of juice boxes, sodas and milk in pint-size cartons.
