One of the best High School Graduation parties is to create a crash course in College Prep Odd Jobs. Call it “Grad Ed 101.” Feature fun ways for students to be creative entrepreneurs while earning extra college funds. Set up a mock lemonade stand to set the theme. Offer a cupcake job fair with job idea titles piped onto the icing:

Art – for creating parent greeting cards
Care – for elderly sitting
Craft – for selling arts & crafts
Compute – for selling computer assistance
Dog Walk – for exercising pets
“E-Bay” – for selling items
Garden – for selling terrariums or dish gardens
Jewelry – for jewelry sales
Lawns – for lawn maintenance
Makeup – for makeup sales
Music – for providing music for private parties
Pet Sit – for watching pets
Shop – for being a professional shopper
Storage – for being a closet organizer
Talent – for the skills of beginning bridge, swim, tennis etc. lessons
Tutor – for assistance in language, math, music etc.
Wrap – for gift wrapping & ship it skills

This will generate a lot of conversation as the grads envision themselves in new roles. Then, move the grads to a second room (or outdoors) featuring a mock hotdog stand with gourmet hotdogs. Offer a grad a chance to be a hotdog vendor. Play lively music and let the party continue. Graduates will be most appreciative of income opportunities…and we, as parents, know the high expenses that occur in college. Wish your grad the greatest success by giving gifts of user-friendly income generators for sustainable college funds while having fun! For more fun, create a time capsule by having the grads make a wish list of their future careers as college graduates. ©

Party Recipes
Party Lemonade – 2 parts lemonade, 1 part orange juice and 1 part maraschino cherries with the cherry juice.
Best Hotdogs – Use smoked beef sausage grilled outside and offer an array of condiments that include chutneys and smoked cheeses.