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Planning a Graduation Party in the Age of Social Distancing

There is so much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic of 2020, but one thing remains consistent with other years: graduation. No matter what the circumstances, your graduates deserve recognition for their hard work, dedication, and ability to excel no matter what they are faced with. Now is a great time to start planning your college or high school graduation party, especially since the order has been released that graduations WILL happen beginning July 6th with social distancing guidelines. This is exciting news for anyone graduating from Kindergarten through College! Jacques would like to congratulate all the students who have worked so hard, under circumstances that were not ideal this year! Here are some ideas for making your graduation celebration even more special.

Keep it Small

New guidelines allow for outdoor gatherings of 25 or less, so we recommend keeping your graduation party to a limited number of guests. As of the publishing of this article, indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 guests. With family style meals and catering options for smaller gatherings, you can very successful host a graduation party that stays within the recommended guidelines.

Party in Shifts

We can honestly say that hosting shift parties is going to be the new normal for now. Having family members earlier in the day, and then hosting friends in the evening is a great way to get everyone in on your celebration, while maintaining the recommended guidelines for 10-25 guests at your party. Mix and match your guest lists and the times they are gathering throughout the day and evening for variety. The benefit of this? You don’t have to worry about those quarreling friends or family members – just invite them at different times! And, as always, we can help provide the eats in just the right quantities for each shift!

Decide Your Style

There are a few different ways you can serve your guests all of their favorite dishes at your graduation party. Consider small, themed packages that will set the tone for your celebration. A great traditional BBQ deserves all of the hot dogs and hamburgers you can get. Or, you can take it up a notch with a Smokehouse BBQ theme. This can include eats like ribs, chicken, pork along with all the sides like macaroni and cheese, buttered corn and baked beans. This can be a real crowd pleaser. Another great theme idea is more “South of the Border” which can include a Fajita Grill. This can be a great theme with plenty of bright colors for both your decorations & your food! A Farm Theme can be a fun, fresh way to go with options that offer a lighter fare, while also providing more vegetarian options like garden and Caprese salads. All of these themes can work perfectly for your backyard celebration.

Get Some Rentals

You can still rent everything you need to host a successful graduation party. From tents (in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with your outdoor gathering) to tables, chairs, and linens, make sure your celebration provides comfortable seating and places for your guests to eat and mingle. Having the right rentals can make a big difference in the level of enjoyment at your graduation party. Not all caterers offer rentals, so if you are looking for a one-stop-shopping experience, be sure to do your research. Browse through some rental options here.

Safety Concerns

Make sure your caterer is providing all of the safety measures to ensure you and your guests are protected. Look for caterers offering contactless pick up or delivery. In addition, your caterer should follow all of the health guidelines when preparing and delivering your order, wearing masks and gloves to ensure your safety. We recommend keeping your guests safer with an outdoor backyard set up. Including a tent rental will ensure that if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, your guests will remain comfortable and dry. Using disposable tableware and utensils, serving dishes and spoons will add a layer of safety for your celebration.

Even though we are social distancing at this time, it’s important to celebrate something as monumental as a graduation. Now that the restrictions for gatherings have been reduced, it’s a great time to plan your celebration. If you need help with the planning or are looking for great catering and rental options that offer safe, one-stop-shopping, give us a call 732-495-2600. We can help you celebrate your graduate in grand style! Visit our website for our Summer Gatherings menu and details on our curbside deliveries.

 

By Frank Mamola

Frank brings over 25 years of special event and food/beverage experience to the team.

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Jacques Exclusive Catering
403 State Route 36
Hazlet, NJ 07730
732.495.2600View map
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