• After the ceremony, celebrate graduation with a special luncheon.graduation day for an international student at an asian universi image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  Especially for May or June graduations, when the weather's ideal for outdoor daytime entertaining, luncheons are a classic way to celebrate the momentous event. When planning a luncheon for your graduate, look for small ways to make the celebration unique and personalized. Keep things simple, providing above all else for all the guests to have time to socialize and connect.
  
  

Luncheon Foods

• The key to a tasty luncheon spread is mixing light, fresh flavors with a hearty and filling spread. If you hold the luncheon outdoors, combine delicate sandwiches, dips and canapes with barbecued or grilled meats or poultry. If you're throwing a graduation luncheon for younger graduates, round out any barbecue with plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers. You can make the simple fare even more appealing to young guests by creating a large station of condiments and toppings to "create your own" hot dog or hamburger. To continue the theme of all-ages cookery, set up a second buffet of toppings where the young party-goers can create their own sundaes.
  
  

Plan A Few Activities

• A luncheon lacks the formality of a sit-down dinner, making it a great opportunity for the high-spirited flavor of a graduation day. True to this spirit, make sure that you plan some games and activities for the most ebullient of your luncheon guests. If you hold the activity outdoors, weather permitting, set up classic lawn games like croquet and badminton, which all ages can enjoy. Should the party be held indoors, you can still engage the guests in active merry-making. If the graduate is musically-oriented, hire a band or a DJ aligned with the group's musical interests. For a really memorable touch, hire a karaoke DJ and machine, a great activity for bonding among guests of different ages.
  
  

Thematic Touches

• Let the classic imagery of graduation suffuse all your luncheon planning. Instead of sending out traditional invitations, mail out rolled invitations, wrapped with decorative ribbon to resemble diplomas. For dessert, make or buy a large, rectangular cake. Inscribe it with ornate lettering and a golden seal to resemble a giant, edible diploma. For an added touch of authenticity, consult with a Latin student to translate your warm graduation wishes into the antique tongue. Alternately, let your dessert reflect the informality of a luncheon, substituting a tower of cupcakes for a single cake. Top them with square chocolate wafers and ribbons of icing, to resemble mortarboards. For a high school or university graduation, simply dye the frosting in the school's official colors, topping each cupcake with a figurine of the school's mascot.