This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
Fun Graduation Party Food Every Graduate Will Love
For more graduation party ideas go here.
One of the most important parts of a party is the food. And graduation party food is not exception. Our Sail Away Graduation party didn’t start until 7:00 p.m. so we didn’t need a full dinner, but instead opted for graduation party snacks and sweets.
Italian Soda Bar
I’ve already shared the fun Italian Soda Bar we put together. It is perfect for any party, but is a great addition to any graduation party food menu. We also found little bottles of water at Trader Joe’s which we also had available. They were just the right size. I find with the bigger bottles I usually find most of them still half full after the party is over.
Graduation Cupcakes
We had a nice selection of cupcakes. Tessa chose her favorite flavor – Red Velvet. The perfect choice for a nautical party. We added a cute little blue sail and some red sprinkles and they were ready to sail away!
We also had my personal favorite, Perfect Lemon Cupcakes. To give the cupcakes a nautical flair we added some little stars and pennants on toothpicks that I picked up in the cake decorating department of Joann Fabrics.
I think the most popular cupcakes was the Snickerdoodle.
I tried two new cupcake recipes. The first one I couldn’t wait to try, Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes. Orange creamsicle is one of my favorite flavors, and they didn’t disappoint. These cupcakes are worth eating for the frosting alone!
The second new one was chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. They disappeared so fast I didn’t even have a chance to eat one. But I did sample the frosting and it was wonderful. You can find the tips for this fun decorating technique here.
Graduation Party Candy Bar
There was also some red, white and blue candy that I just couldn’t resist buying.
And could you find a more perfect treat for a Sail Away party than Cracker Jacks!
S’mores Bar for Graduation Party
Later in the evening when it cooled off we built a fire in the fire pit and had a S’more Bar which is always a hit. I had a variety of chocolate and different marshmallows including a new coconut marshmallow I just found! For more details on how to put together a S’mores Bar, check out this older post of mine.
Savory Graduation Party Food
We didn’t want the kids have a total sugar high so we did provide some savory treats too. I went the easy route with this though and did the “Costco thing.”
We had hummus, mango salsa, guacamole, artichoke/spinach dip that I heated up (so good!) There was also a variety of chips. I did make one dip but then went and forgot about it and left it in the refrigerator!
All in all I’d say it was a pretty nice spread!
For more graduation party ideas check out these out:
Graduation Party Ideas
Originally posted June 2011
Janice Richardson says
I knew you once upon a time and found your blog awhile back. Wish I were as creative as you!
Leigh Anne says
I remember you. Janice. Glad you found me
Susan says
Leigh Anne – You constantly amaze me!!! What a party! I’m sure your daughter and her friend felt so honored and special. You have the best ideas and amaze me by all you accomplish!!
marti says
Leigh Anne, I’m sure the guests at this party felt so lucky to be invited! When I was growing up one girlfriend’s mom gave the most memorable theme parties with the same kind of loving detail and I’ve never forgotten them. You are THE Mom!…xxoo
Mariel says
I love it, Leigh Anne! Everything is adorable…and those cupcake pictures are tempting me to cheat on my diet. Aghh!!
Leigh Anne says
Mariel, Cupcakes are so worth the calories. Especially the frosting on those Orange Creamsicle ones!!
Dani says
I vastly prefer snacks and desserts to a full-on meal, so everything here looks delicious! I’m especially enamored of your s’mores bar and am trying to think of an occasion in which to integrate it, thus forcing my husband to let me buy a firepit. It sounds like so much fun!
Leigh Anne says
Glad you liked it! We have a fire pit that is in the ground in our yard and also a portable one we use on the patio and we love it! The kids have so much fun with it. Nothing beats sitting around a fire.