Make it a grade A grad party

Graduation season is upon us in Northwest Arkansas. And there's no question that graduation is a milestone moment worthy of celebration. No need to put on your thinking cap: here are some graduation party tips for celebrating your star pupil.

· Personalize the affair. Much like birthday parties, graduation parties are celebrating a particular guest of honor. As a result, planners should not hesitate to personalize graduation parties so they reflect the grad who's being honored. If the guest of honor just earned his or her law degree, order a cake in the shape of Lady Justice. Planners tasked with honoring college grads on their way to medical school can ask guests to don scrubs or white coats. Such personal touches can add fun to the festivities while still honoring the new grad.

· Ask grads before devising the guest list. Since the day is all about the recent graduate, let him or her provide input about the guest list. Some grads may be uncomfortable serving as the focal point of a large soirée, while others may prefer family gatherings or less formal affairs with only friends. The goal of the party is to celebrate the new graduate, so make sure they're comfortable with who is in attendance. If grads choose a friend-heavy guest list, plan a dinner out with family on another night.

· Invite teachers. Some graduates form strong bonds with teachers who helped them get through difficult coursework or provided invaluable advice during their academic careers. Make sure these people, who may include teachers past and present, are invited to the party, and recognize their role in helping the guest of honor achieve his or her academic and professional goals.

· Speak with other parents/planners. Graduation season is a social time of year. Planners and parents can speak with one another to ensure that parties are not scheduled on the same day. This allows all graduates to enjoy their moment in the sun and ensures friends won't miss the chance to celebrate one another's accomplishments. Planners and parents can even coordinate parties together if graduates express a desire to do so.

Party perfect

Here are some great ways to make the party memorable and turn up the fun!

• Where and when? Start the festivities mid- to late afternoon, and if weather permits, set up seating outdoors and fire up the grill.

• Self-Serve. Set up the food buffet-style, with drinks on a separate table or in coolers. If you have room, place bowls of easy snacks like nuts, popcorn, or chips and dip on small tables throughout the party.

• School spirit. Decorate with the graduate's school colors -- balloons, streamers, pom-poms -- the works! And make sure that framed diploma is out for all to see.

• Most likely to... Make a bunch of name tags and let guests fill in the end of the sentence.

• Bright ideas. Everyone wants to know: "What are you going to do now that you've graduated?" Why not take some pressure off the recent college grad and turn the tables? Ask each guest to write what they did the year after they graduated on a large piece of poster board, guestbook, or scrapbook.

· Photo booth. Smartphones have given people their own portable photo booths. Set up a backdrop and provide props. Make a sign asking guests to hashtag and share their photos. Preserve those memories for a lifetime.

· Sundae station: The warm weather of spring makes a sundae station a great addition to any graduation party. Hosts can create a homemade sundae station by supplying the ice cream, toppings, whipped cream, and, of course, cherries.

· Open bar: Open bars need not serve alcoholic drinks. A smoothie bar can provide guests with extra energy to dance through the night. If hosting a graduation party for a newly minted college graduate who's of legal drinking age, then an open bar serving specialty cocktails can make the gathering all the more memorable. Hosts can even work with the bartender/catering service in advance of the party to create a special concoction exclusive to the party.