Choose a restaurant that the family would only eat at for special occasions. Ideas of restaurants that are generally a little more expensive include steak houses, formal seafood places, French fine dining and restaurants with a well-known chef. Allow the graduate to choose the location since it is his special day. Make a reservation ahead of time to secure the table. This is especially true if the high school is located in an area with limited fine dining options or a large graduating population.
Some people throw an informal backyard barbecue for a high school graduation party. You can make the graduation party a bit more formal by tenting your front lawn or back yard. This will keep guests warm, cool or dry no matter what the weather. You can also rent tables, tablecloths and napkins, along with fine china and glassware. Meal ideas include hiring a formal caterer to serve a buffet style meal including appetizers, dinner service and dessert. The food can be tailored to the graduate's favorites. For instance, for a surf and turf menu, serve lobster bisque to start, filet mignon as a main dish and fresh Swiss chocolate cake for dessert. Also include vegetarian options for the dinner service.
One Spanish tradition is to make paella and share it among friends and family. The making of paella is a long process where the chef uses a large skillet over a flame and slowly stirs in the rice, seafood, meat, saffron and other spices and serves to the guests. You can serve traditional Spanish olives, sausage and cheese, such as Manchego, for appetizers. The paella can be the main meal and a traditional dessert, such as Spanish sponge cream roll, can end the meal. The adults can sample Spanish wines and beer, while underage attendees can sample non-alcoholic sangria or imported Spanish sodas. For entertainment, you can download and play Spanish music, or to really enhance the night, you can hire a band that specializes in music from Spain.
You can hire or provide live entertainment for the formal high school graduation party. Save the DJ and dance floor for the school sponsored party and hire entertainers such as live music acts, magicians, cigar rollers (provided the attendees are over 18), a caricaturist, mimes, hypnotists or even a comedian (who can work the graduate into the act). After the meal has been served, the live performance can take the stage.