7 Ways to Celebrate Your Graduate in 2021

The coronavirus pandemic threw the Class of 2020 graduates into a tailspin, as high schools and universities cancelled or postponed graduation ceremonies. Even as restrictions are lifting and vaccinations are rolling out, things may still look different for the Class of 2021 too. After all the hard work and excitement, most families want to do everything they can to celebrate their grad’s achievements and bring them as much joy as possible. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 7 ways to make your graduate feel special and show them how much you care on Graduation day.

1. Throw a Virtual Graduation Party

If you are not comfortable throwing a traditional gathering, you can still celebrate your Class of 2021 Graduate with a virtual graduation party. According to Zaria Zinn, a Celebration Expert at Evite, "While virtual parties may seem intimidating at first, celebrating life events and maintaining normalcy is so important for all of us right now. If you're just able to bring the most important people together for the grad on their special day, then your virtual party will be a success." For all the details, check out this article, “How to Throw a Virtual Graduation Party.”

2. Create a Gift Registry

While it may not be traditional for grads to set up a registry for their graduation gifts, we’re living in non-traditional times. Gifts can be delivered to your grad so he or she doesn’t miss out on the gifts guests would have brought to a live party. Create an online gift registry at Target.com or Amazon.com (or wherever your grad loves to shop). If college is next on the horizon, Bed, Bath and Beyond lets you create a college registry specifically to include the items they need to take next year to college.

3. Decorate Your Yard with Signs

From balloons, to posters, to professionally made signs, you can decorate your yard, so everyone knows there’s a grad in your house! There are even professional “yard greeting rental services”, such as Card My Yard, who send “joy bringers” to your home to stake your yard with custom signage to celebrate your graduation event.

4. Organize a “Drive By” Ceremony

Send out graduation announcements just like you normally would, but instead of directing guests to a campus or auditorium, schedule a “drive-by ceremony”. Have your grad don their cap and gown and invite friends and family to drive by your house and honk. Your grad can receive all the applause, joy and praise from the front porch, and everyone can slow down and take pictures of them in their cap and gown from their cars.

5. Host a Small Get Together

Due to the pandemic, some states are reopening faster--or in different stages--than others. However, in most states, you’re able to have a small get-together with the closest friends and family. If the weather is nice, have the party outdoors where germs are less likely to be shared and social distancing is easier to manage.

6. Have Friends Send e-Cards

Ask people on social media to send “Class of 2021 Congratulations” cards to your grad so they feel special. There are some websites like Blue Mountain that allow friends and family to design an e-card for free.

7. Take Porch Portraits

“Porch Portraits” were all the rage during 2020, and we don’t see any reason for that to end in 2021. A photographer (or camera-capable friend!) can come by and take a picture of your grad on the porch in their cap and gown, along with the rest of the family.  Share your special photos out on social media so everyone can celebrate the grad!