If you have kids, you know that from about ages 0-12, time seems to go pretty slow and it seems that they’ll be there hovering around your side forever. But something crazy happens between ages 12-18. Time accelerates and before you can blink your eyes, your little boy with freckles and big teeth has become a man. This year marks my second high school graduate and after a rough pandemic year, it was time to celebrate. He didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I wanted to throw a quick party with his closest friends. Thank you to Staples Print and Marketing for sponsoring this post. I used their convenient print center at my local Staples store for throwing this quick party.

Here are a few graduation party ideas to celebrate their coming-to-adulthood in style that can be applied to any party.

How To Throw Any Quick Party and Make it Look Profesh

Since I’m usually a last-minute planner, I’ve found I can throw together a quick party on the fly with a few of my favorite go-tos.

Throw up a sign and you’ve got a party. 

It’s all in the signage

My son didn’t want a big hubbub for his graduation, just a fun hangout with his closest buddies. But you know moms, we have to make some kind of deal about it.

Want to know a tried and true party trick? Signs. They’re the easiest way to make a big impression.

This one was perfect for the front door so that all our neighbors and friends can congratulate the new grad. (He loves when I embarrass him.) I did it in less than a day with Staples, easiest thing ever. I just uploaded my design when the kids were in bed and picked it up at my local Staples the next day.

If you don’t want to bother with the online process, going into your local Staples to make a sign there is just as easy. In fact, you can go into any Staples store and ask, “Hey, can you print out {insert project} for me?” and their talented associates will help you right there.

Nicolette saw a lady do just that. She said, “I want to make a poster for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary…” it was cool to see how quickly her project came to life.

I can’t rave enough–signs are the easiest way to make a profesh impression!

Printing your signs at Staples is quick, easy, and extremely affordable. Signs are perfect for any of these occasions:

• Birthdays
• Baby showers
• Bridal showers
• Anniversaries
• School events
• Small business marketing

I think this is my favorite of all. 

I have to admit that I teared up a bit when I hung this up. It documents Sam’s first grade through twelfth grade and the changes that you can visibly see are so sweet. 

It documents a boy turning into a man.

 And the reason I love using Staples is because of the personal care I get there. Your local Staples store can bring your visions to life.

Staples doesn’t just make prints, they help you make memories.

How to make a quick poster:

1. Create your design. I used Canva.com to make my templates, but Staples also has ready-made templates you can use.
2. Upload your design here. (Or use one of Staples’ ready-to-go designs.)
3. Have it sent to your local Staples for quick and convenient next-day pickup. 

Go check out the great Staples promos on signs, posters, and more! 

This party came together in less than 48 hours.

You can use Staples Print & Marketing for so many things: business cards, custom stickers, kids’ school projects, parties, you name it.

You can order online or simply pop into your local Staples store and their Print and Marketing Center will get your project ready quickly and efficiently. I promise, you’ll be pleased. (And if for some reason you don’t like the way something turned out, they will do everything they can to fix it. Every time I pick up a finished project, they always ask, “Does this look good to you?” I’ve always been impressed with that.) 

Quick Cards and Announcements

Staples is a lifesaver when it comes to insanely quick photo cards and invitations. Which is great for procrastinators like myself. With so many long distant family members and friends, it’s fun to send out graduation cards. 

And right now through July 3, 2021 you can get 30% off graduation cards at Staples with code 58815. 

If you need cards or invites in a pinch, head to your local Staples store or order online and they’ll have them ready stat! 

I love how Sam’s cards turned out! And the turnaround time on these announcements was amazing. I ordered them around 8pm and then picked them up during my errands the next day.

Donuts and Confetti Cannons

Lastly, grab a few dozen donuts and a confetti cannon and you’ve just thrown an epic (and easy) party. It really doesn’t take much. The best way to make a group of graduating seniors happy is through their stomachs. 

What do you get when you combine kids and confetti cannons? A whole lotta fun.

In fact, you’re never too old for a confetti cannon. 

I think this was one of the easiest parties I’ve ever thrown.

And when you get fist bumps all around, you know it’s a good one.

So if you need to throw a quick party in a pinch, remember, Staples can print out most of your projects asap, in some cases, even same-day printing. They even have curbside pickup to make it even more convenient for you.

Add some donuts and a few confetti cannons to the mix and you’ve just thrown together a quick party and made it look like a party planner did it.