This Post: Insanely Cute DIY Graduation Party Decorations You Have to See/ Post Updated February 2024
Graduation season is quickly approaching! Seniors will soon be walking down the aisle and receiving their diplomas for all their hard work and hard-earned achievements, which means it’s time to celebrate!
If you have a special grad in your life and you’re hosting a graduation party in their honor, make it extra special – without breaking the bank! With so many unique and fun DIY ideas, there’s no need to skimp on decor or spend a fortune to make your grad party a total showstopper!
We rounded up so many insanely cute DIY graduation party decorations that are not only easy to pull off but will also make your grad feel special and WOW your guests.
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BUT FIRST… ifyou need a little help planning your graduation party, be sure to download our FREE Graduation Party Planning Bundle!
Two great themes to choose from – black/white and floral! It’s packed with everything you need to plan the perfect grad party! It’s EASY to download and it’s all FREE! (Includes grad party checklist, cupcake toppers, signage, “Who Knows the Grad Best” game, and more!)
Just visit our FREE Resource Library Page!
Welcome Guests with a Sign
Make your guest feel welcome! A simple chalkboard sign will not only let your guests know they’re at the right house, but it will also make them feel welcome and set the tone for the party.
Image Source: Pinterest
Grad Banners Make a BIG Impact
A cheerful banner can make a BIG statement! They’re perfect to hang across a wall or drape on the front of a table. And, they’re SO easy to make and personalize! Imagine how cute this would be with color-coordinated tassels or streamers on the ends! Just choose a heavier-weight paper to cut your flags, then layer them (as shown) to make a colorful border, add letters, and attach them to twine.
Image Source: Etsy Pizzazzerie via Glaminati
Congrats Grad Balloon Arch
Paired with balloons, this banner looks great on a garage door! With a little creativity, you could probably think of dozens of places where you could add a banner for your grad party! We especially love this one paired with balloons. It welcomes guests without being over the top.
Image Source: Mom O Party
Photo Displays Bring Back Special Memories
This casual, country-chic pallet photo display is such a fun way to display memorable photos. It’s super easy to create with a simple pallet, string or ribbon, and clips! The simple-to-make burlap banner adds a great touch. Make it your own by framing the pallet with tassels, pom-poms or flowers. (Think Dollar Store or your local craft store for supplies!)
Image Source: Pintrerest
Showcase Favorite Photos
Gather a few of your grad’s favorite pictures! Hang them across a tablescape with string and clothespins for a pretty, yet relaxed way to bring back a few special memories. This is such a great idea if your grad party is outdoors. For extra ambiance, add white string lights.
Image Source: Fab Mood Inspiration on Pinterest
DIY Graduation Wreath
Too cute and easy to recreate! Let your guests know they’re at the right house with this adorable DIY wreath highlighting the grad throughout his school years. It’s easy to create and makes a great first impression! For the how-to: Click Here!
Image Source: Cady Gorbet
DIY Lantern Centerpiece with Pizazz
DIY graduation party decorations don’t have to cost a fortune! For a WOW centerpiece that’s sure to impress your guests, consider turning a paper lantern upside down, putting a small vase in the center for flowers, and adding a college logo sticker – inexpensive, creative, and totally fab!
Easy Centerpiece that Comes Together Quickly
Just a few supplies are needed! These would be great on high-top tables, a side table, or at either end of the food or gift table. To make these, all you need is a clear vase or cup and line it with black tissue paper – think Dollar Store! (Tuck in a small piece of styrofoam so your sticks will hold in place.) Trim the edge of the cup or vase with coordinating ribbon, fill with colorful filler, and tuck in an assortment of stars and grad picks! 
Image Source: Elegant Party Savvy on Blogspot
Kate-Spade Inspired Centerpiece
Just a few supplies are needed to recreate this gorgeous Kate Spade-inspired centerpiece! Red flowers look amazing with this design, but you can get creative with your grad’s theme or school colors! Finish the look with a wide black and white striped ribbon. Cut costs by buying Dollar Store vases, clear glass stones, and faux bouquets.
Picture Perfect Centerpiece
When it comes to grad centerpieces, this is one of our absolute faves. It has a fun and festive blend of rustic and sweet and it’s so easy to replicate! Add a personal touch by including photos of the grad.
Image:Pinterest
MORE centerpiece ideas! 25 Festive Graduation Centerpieces
DIY Tassels Add the Extra Touch
Making your own tassel garland is easy! Hang a tassel garland on the front of the dessert, food, or gift table, as a backdrop to a photo booth or virtually anywhere you’re looking for a fun pop of color. Use your grad’s college colors as inspiration or any other colors that inspire you. They’re super easy (slightly addicting) to make and they’ll surely add to the festiveness of the party! Use tissue paper OR Dollar Store plastic tablecloths.) Visit Inspired by Charm for the easy how-to: Click Here!
Image Source: Inspired by Charm
Balloons with Tassels Make a Statement
Add tassels to a balloon! DIY graduation party decorations can be fun, inexpensive, and still make a big impact! This ridiculously simple idea packs a powerful presentation punch. Transform the look of any balloon by adding a simple tissue tassel.
Image Source: Fine Craft Guild
Fabulous DIY Tablescape
You can never go wrong with gold and black..it’s SO CLASSY! With so many festive balloons, this display screams, “Let’s Celebrate!” This amazing glam table is perfect for serving refreshments and food, or as a focal point for the gift table. Think these festive balloon displays are too tricky to make yourself? Think again! Visit Balloon Decoration Guide for the easy how-to to create amazing DIY balloon displays: Click Here!
Image Source: Pinterest
Tissue Poms Frame a Table
Tissue fans, poms, and tassel garland make this table! This is a picture of the dessert table I created for my daughter’s graduation party. I made the tissue wheels, banner, and tissue pom along with the tissue tassel garland draped on the front of the table. It was ALL so easy and the guests loved it! Visit Spruce Crafts to learn how to make tissue fans: Click Here! Visit The Grove Designs to learn how to make easy tissue poms: Click Here!
Double Grad Party
A fun way to celebrate two grads! If you’re hosting your party with another grad, this idea can’t be beat. Nothing too expensive or extravagant, but the presentation is amazing!
Image and creative design courtesy of Grey Grey Designs
It’s All in the Details
Tons of inspiration to pull from this pic! We love the simple pennant banner on the chalkboard. Doesn’t get a whole lot easier than that and everything you need to make it can be picked up at a local craft store. Here’s a how-to for the tissue poms!
Image Courtesy of Kara’s Party Ideas
Follow Your Dreams
We love this trendy “Follow Your Dreams!” display! It’s fresh and fun, yet glamorous! The sign is easy to recreate using plain white foam board with cutout lettering and gold circle cut-outs. A wood pallet would work well to attach the sign and tissue fans. It’s a showstopper!
Image Source: Pinterest
A Photo Booth to Make Memories!
One thing a graduation party needs is a GREAT place for friends and family to take photos with the grad! This look is really hot! (We love the bright sofa!!) The backdrop is just black-painted plywood but it’s the wording that you choose that makes it special! (Paint or use stick-on lettering.) Add casual string lights, a lamp, and fluffy pillows to round out this look.
Image Source: Kennedy Erickson on IG
“The Greatest Adventure Lies Ahead” Photo Booth
A huge display of colorful, cheerful balloons sets this photo booth apart from the rest! (Yes! You CAN create it!) Complete the look with a comfy loveseat and bright pillows! Visit the Spruce Crafts to learn how to make a balloon arch: Click Here!
Image Source: Mint Event Design
Tissue Pom Pom Photo Booth
The cheerful colors on this photo booth say, “It’s time to partaay!” (Imagine with tassels, foil sprays or a garland of greenery weaved through it!) Tissue poms and fans are so easy to make, too! Let your creative juices flow!
Image Source: Pinterest
Simple White and Gold Make a BIG Statement
When it comes to DIY graduation party decorations, sometimes keeping it simple is best! This photo booth offers a touch of glam and it’s super easy to replicate for your grad’s party! Any white backdrop will do and simply add big white balloons with gold streamers. Gorgeous!
Image Source: Pinterest
It’s Time to Honor Your Grad
How festive is this personalized display honoring the grad? And, the best part is it’s not expensive to recreate. Choose meaningful photos and use Dollar Store frames or heavy paper backing to frame. Then add mementos and props that highlight the grad’s interests, such as a musical instrument, a baseball glove, or ballet slippers. Complete the tribute with a small balloon bouquet.
Image Source: Living Well Planning Well
Image Source: A Tribute to Your Grad’s Hard-Earned Accomplishments
Focus on their accomplishments. This table is perfect for athletes or any grad who wants to showcase all their amazing accomplishments in high school. Place at the front entrance of the party, near the gift table, or off to the side.
Image Source: Pinterest
DIY Graduation Card Boxes Make it Special
So much better than store-bought!Making your own homemade grad gift card box is SO much easier than it looks! Simply cover boxes with wrapping paper, make a slit for cards, and decorate as you wish! We love the adorable grad hat, tassel, and glitter detail shown here.
Image Source: Pinterest
An Adorable DIY Box for Cards
It’s easier than it looks!Don’t let this amazing DIY card box scare you, it’s actually far easier than it looks AND the finished look is amazing! For the how-to: Click Here!
Image Source: Mom If Wine
Pretty Suitcase Card Box
This card box resembles a suitcase, which is a popular trend right now. We love how she used twine to thread the pennants and spell “CARDS.” Also, it’s always nice to have the grad’s name on the box, especially if you’re hosting a party where multiple grads are being honored.
Image Source: My Inspiration Corner
A Memory Jar Adds a Hint of Nostalgia
Graduation is not only a time to look toward the bright future of our grads, it’s also a time to reminisce about days gone by! Create a simple memory jar so guests can jot down their favorite memories with the grad – it’s something the grad will cherish forever.
Image Source: Feathers in the Woods
DIY Grad Cap Cupcake Toppers
Don’t feel like serving a cake at your grad’s party? Opt instead for cupcakes! These DIY grad cap cupcake toppers are so creative (and easy to make)! Check out the easy 3-step how-to: Click Here!
Image Source: Me Myself DIY
Fun Cupcake Toppers Make a Statement
DIY Grad Cupcake Topper with Straw. How cute are these cupcake toppers? Not only are they adorable, but they’re also super easy to make! Visit Lil’ Luna for the how-to: Click Here!
Image Source: Lil’ Luna
Add a Touch of Ambiance
The right ambiance can make all the difference in the world. Whether you’re having your grad party indoors or outdoors, don’t forget about lighting. String lights can add so much to the vibe of the party and make a simple setting like your backyard look festive and welcoming.
Image Source: Oh My Creative
A Pretty Canopy Adds Festive Flair
Light up the inside of a tent with string lights for a look that’s both warm and inviting, and a tad glamorous! This look is so easy to recreate for an outdoor/backyard grad party and, it’s inexpensive, too!
