The World Is Your Oyster, Graduate!

This post has been sponsored by Balloon Time®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a professional party planner, I’ve thrown countless parties for hundreds of guests over the years. Now, I consider myself an expert at gathering safely with small groups. With warmer days ahead, I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...and the future looks bright!

Graduation season is right around the corner. Commencement ceremonies certainly didn’t look the same last spring. From kindergarten to college, we were forced to get creative, trading the usual pomp and circumstance for virtual celebrations and partying from afar. This year, as we slowly but surely get back to gathering together, we are looking forward to safely celebrating grads of all ages with small groups of friends and family. 

A small guest list does not mean you can’t make a big impact with the details! I always keep some decor, disposable tableware, hand sanitizer and a Balloon Time Jumbo Helium Kit stocked in my closet for moments when we need to throw together a party in a flash. 

My close friend’s daughter is graduating this spring so we’re taking advantage of warmer temperatures to throw an intimate, outdoor dinner party to celebrate this major accomplishment! 

I could not think of a better sentiment for 2021 grads than “The World Is Your Oyster!” The perfect weather, simple menu, and fun themed party details created the perfect setting for reminiscing and dreaming about her future.

For simple but impactful decor I sourced jumbo, flat-faced metallic gold foil balloons. I found vinyl black sticker letters, which are such a fun, easy and inexpensive way to customize balloons to your party theme. After spelling out "The World Is Your Oyster" with the stickers, I inflated each balloon using my trusty Balloon Time Helium Tank. I always keep a tank stored in my closet so I can party with floating balloons at a moment's notice! I had a perfect amount of helium left to fill up these jumbo balloons, and once I was done with setting my table, I followed the easy instructions on the Balloon Time website to recycle my tank.

After filling the balloons, I attached them to beautiful black and white globes, which doubled as anchor weights and centerpieces for our dinner table. Perfection! 

Next, I crafted paper graduation caps to top each of our glasses. We poured champagne for the adults and sparkling cider for the kiddos to congratulate the grad. These caps were super easy to make, kept the bugs and pollen out of our drinks, and made the tablescape feel extra festive!

I made these delicious and pretty individual boards of charcuterie for each guest to snack on. I also served a platter of oysters, of course! 

Lastly, I used oyster shells for our name cards to show where everyone should sit. You can snag empty shells online or at your local craft store. After my last oyster order at my favorite local seafood restaurant on the water, I actually took my shells home, washed them well, and with a black marker, wrote out each name. It was decadent looking and perfectly fitting with my theme.

The evening was so enjoyable and set the perfect stage to celebrate this amazing milestone. Congratulations to the class of 2021...the world is your oyster! Don't forget to find Balloon Time at a retailer near you!