Create a photo table that chronicles the journey of the graduate through the years. You can start as young as birth, preschool or even elementary school and carry it all the way through their last semester before graduation. Ideas include using school pictures, field trip pictures, school sponsored sports pictures, club pictures, band and chorus pictures and even pictures taken at the graduation itself. You can also invite family and friends to bring photos of the graduate to add to the table for the afternoon.
Create a table display that shows off the accomplishment of the graduate by placing the cap, gown and diploma on a table on top of a nicely pressed table cloth. One idea is to use two table cloths that represent the school colors. They can be laid out in such a way that both colors are showing. Additional ideas include adding a letterman jacket, other school awards, or even the final report card to the table.
If you are offering a party favor to your guests, then create an entire table dedicated to the party favors. Guests can take theirs on the way out. Party favor ideas include baked goods, personalized candy, personalized candles, personalized jelly bean containers, personalized mint tins, bracelets, T-shirts and hats. You can dress the table up by placing a table cloth underneath and adding candles and flowers around the items.
For the buffet table, or tables where people will relax and eat, create centerpieces that have a graduation theme. Ideas include vases filled with school color stones, a framed picture of the graduate, flowers with the school colors, decorative display of text books, faux graduation caps, faux diplomas or colored balloons.