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19 best graduation party ideas for 2021: From banners and balloons to cake toppers and confetti

Make it a graduation party to remember


graduation party 2
Hollie Brotherton
Lifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer
Updated: July 21, 2021
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Graduation season is upon us and with it comes an opportunity to finally have something to celebrate. Whether they're graduating from high school, college or university, the past year has been more challenging than most for students, so there's never been a better time to show how proud you are.

RELATED: Graduation gift ideas for the quarantined class of 2021

You might have decided to stick to a small family gathering or you could be planning for a bigger party. Either way, these ideas will make it all the more special. Here are 19 of the best decorations and party extras available to buy online now...

Graduation invites

graduation party invite

Graduation Party Invitations, £34.53/$11.49, Amazon

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Start things off with invitations to send out to your guests. These glitter and star-embellished cards and envelopes come ready for you to add in all of the important details.

graduation invite 2

The Future Is Bright Graduation Party Invitation, £2.30/$2.40 each, Zazzle

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These cute invitations are fully customisable. Choose from a selection of shapes, sizes and types of paper, before adding everything your party guests will need to know.

Graduation party balloons

Graduation balloon

Graduation Cap Balloon, from £5.99/$6.50, Etsy 

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Nothing says happy graduation like a huge graduation cap balloon. Customise it with a personal message - it's the perfect way to complete your display or a stand-out decoration on its own.

chrome balloons

Gold Chrome Balloons, from £7.36/$7.99, Etsy

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Available in graduation chrome gold, you can't go wrong with these best-selling balloons at your party. Choose to buy a bundle of 25, 50 or 100.

Champagne balloons

Champagne Bottle Balloons, £13.99/$19.04, Amazon

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Go one step further with a champagne balloon arch. Although it will take a little time to put up, the results are well worth it. It'll make an amazing backdrop for your photos.

Graduation balloons boxes

Graduation Balloon Boxes, £37.60/$24.99, Amazon

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These boxes are designed to be filled with balloons, making for a unique display that can be assembled in minutes.

Graduation banners & bunting

graduation banner

Konsait Graduation Banner, £7.99/$6.99Amazon

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Super proud of them? Say it with a banner. With its gold ribbon and graduate cap detail, this would make a beautiful indoor or outdoor display. It comes fully assembled so it's easy to put up.

Zazzle banner

Graduation Banner Picture Display, from £48.95/$48.50, Zazzle

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Choose your design theme before adding your own photo to this customisable graduation banner. Having your party outdoors? Select this option for a more durable material and optional added metal grommets.

Glitter graduation banner

We Are So Proud Of You Glittery Banner, from £9.99/$14.99, Amazon

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Add some sparkle with this party-perfect glitter and light-up banner. Available in gold, black or pink, each one comes with LED string lights which have eight different flicker modes.

Photo banner zazzle

Graduation Photo Bunting Flags, £25.70/$26.35, Zazzle

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For something sentimental, see how your graduate has grown with photo bunting flags. Personalise it with your own photographs from nursery to now.

Ginger Ray bunting

Ginger Ray Tassel Garland, £5.99/$11.81, Amazon

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Go with the graduation tassel theme and add this fun multi-coloured Ginger Ray garland to your decorations. You could even reuse it for birthdays and other celebrations.

Graduation cake decorations & accessories

Cake topper gradiation

Graduation Cake Topper, £16.79/$10.99, Amazon

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Baking a cake for the occasion? Your graduate will love this 'Even A Global Pandemic Couldn’t Stop Me' topper in gold glitter.

Grad cake toppers

Graduation Cap Cupcake Toppers, £6.44/$6.99, Etsy

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If you're baking cupcakes, these graduation cap toppers come in a huge range of different glitter colours. 

Bakery boxes

Bakery Boxes With Display Window, £13.99/$26.83, Amazon

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For a covid-friendly way to give out cake, try these bakery boxes. Featuring a display window and tied up with rope, they're eco-friendly and your guests can take them home.

Graduation hat box

Katoom Graduation Candy Boxes, £12.97/$11.26, Amazon

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These mini graduation cap boxes complete with tassels are so cute and easy to assemble - no glue required. They could be filled with chocolates, candy or cookies for your guests to enjoy.

Graduation napkins

Graduation Napkins x50, £38.05/$39, Zazzle

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You'll need napkins to serve with your cakes and snacks, and these ones can be personalised for a perfect finishing touch to your tableware. 

Graduation party extras

Words of wisdom

Graduation Words Of Wisdom Cards, £4.81/$5.22, Etsy

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Your guests will no doubt want to share their advice for your graduate's first steps out into the real world. These Words Of Wisdom cards come as a digital download so you can choose to print as many as you like.

Moet personalised

Moet & Chandon Personalised Champagne, £59/$70, Clos19

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Celebrations are always better with champagne, so if your graduate is college or university age, how about treating them to a customised bottle of Moet? It would make the perfect table centrepiece. 

Graduation confetti

Black Gold Graduation Confetti, £15.17/,$20.79, Amazon

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It's the little details that make a party special, so use this confetti to decorate everything from the plates to the invitations to the tables. The gold and black glitter set comes with 100 round pieces and 100 shaped like graduation hats.

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HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page. This article has been updated with amended price details. 

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