I remember back when I graduated school (which actually wasn’t all that long ago) and how many activities go on right before graduation.
There are the class trips, making sure the senior pictures are done, the proper outfit you need to wear under the cap and gown, senior breakfast, cleaning out the locker, slide show night, awards night, and finally what all students and very well some parents, teachers, and administrators look forward to; when the students walk across the stage that final time.
Nothing beats the smile you see on a student’s face when someone gets that diploma turn around and yell “I did it mom!”
Speaking of mom, no one actually realizes what mom is trying to accomplish during all these events. She wants to be Super Mom and throw a great graduation party! Well mom, I can help you out, because I know you don’t want to cater this event. I know you want all the glory and to secretly stand there with a smile on your face with that super hero stance like your cape is flapping in the wind.
As I always say, don’t stress any more than you have to. Supplement your party with store bought things and the other items that will be crowd pleasers and show stoppers, because lets be real, how many parties and picnics do you go to and love the food and wish you could have picnic food every day?
Now, before we get into the food there are some things that need addressed. As I have said in the past you should make a list so you will have a clear cut idea of what’s ahead of you.
- What is your menu? Where is the food being laid out, do you need to stick to things that can withstand the outdoors and heat?
- Where will you be having the party? Are you having it at home, in the back yard or renting a pavilion?
- What is the date and time of the party? Is it on the weekend, in the afternoon or evening?
- Are you going to need help the day of the party? How are you going to cook, decorate, and get yourself ready?
- Do you want or need decorations? Are you going all out or is simple better?
- Who is invited to the party? Is this for family, friends, or both?
Now mom these are the major questions that need addressed. One thing I want you to do is ask your soon-to-be graduate what he or she would like at the party. It may be as simple as “Mom I want a red velvet cake” to “Mom I’d really like your deviled eggs and pasta salad.”
Now if your belle of the ball has no input, just know that you did ask and that’s all you ever needed to do. Now, this isn’t like those parties for 4-year-olds; you need to also realize people will be filtering in and out the whole time and you want to make sure you have picked a comfortable location, and that there isn’t a time constraint to leave, and that your food holds up to your location and the weather.
Now for the food. As I said before and I’ll say it again, the grocery store is there to help you. They don’t make those vegetable platters, and brownie platters, and shrimp cocktail platters to make you feel bad. It’s to help you (not to mention keep you sane). No one will tell you to take off your Super Mom cape when they see these. They will commend you and see that you took an ordinary party and made it extraordinary!
There are cheat sheets all over the internet to help you determine how much you need to make sure you have enough food for you and your guests. Simple rule of thumb at parties like this; you need about 1.5 to about two pounds of food per person. Each person might have up to two sandwiches, around four-five appetizers, three-four drinks and one-two dessert portions.
As for plates, figure two-three per person and one-two cups and four napkins. Now, don’t under estimate those folks that drop by for 30 minutes, you need to assume they are going to eat too! We don’t want you embarrassed and to run out of anything.
I’m here to help you make this party easy and extraordinary; have soda and water in coolers with ice. People can help themselves and there’s no need to make sure the punch bowl is still filled. However, if your little graduate wants punch you have to come through mom.
Go to the store and get your chips and pretzels and yes I want you to buy that vegetable tray, and any other tray that is going to make your life easier. We are so worried to ask for help and to think others will frown upon that. Don’t worry, no one will. It’s also that time consuming stuff like cutting up cheese cubes and celery and broccoli that take up time and we don’t want that.
Don’t forget to order the cake or decide on a dessert. Remember people at the store are there to help. I actually asked my mom for a specialty cake and mom came through!
I am going to help you with an easy sandwich, fruit salad, a citrus pasta salad, and a cute diploma cookie that will make you laugh it’s so easy and cute.
Super Easy Pulled Chicken Sliders
Total Time: Prep: 5 min. Cook: 4 hours
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 1-1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce
- 16 slider buns or dinner rolls
Directions
Place chicken in a slow cooker; add your water, brown sugar, salt, and garlic. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
Remove chicken; cool slightly. Discard juice. Shred chicken with two forks and return to slow cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce; heat through. Serve on buns. Yield: 8 servings (2 sliders each)
Lemony Pudding Fruit Salad
Total Time: Prep: 35 min. + chilling
Ingredients
- 1 medium honeydew, peeled, seeded and cubed
- 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- 2 medium peaches, sliced
- 2 medium nectarines, sliced
- 1 cup seedless red grapes
- 1 cup seedless green grapes
- 2 cup halved fresh strawberries
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
- 3 medium firm bananas, sliced
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, cubed
- 1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and refrigerate to chill for at least 2 hours.
Just before serving, stir in bananas and apple. Combine lemonade concentrate and dry pudding mix; pour over fruit and toss to coat. Yield: 20 servings (3/4 cup each).
Ciara’s Citrus Pasta Salad
Total Time: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 10 Minutes
Ingredients
- 2 one pound boxes of cooked gemelli noodles
- 6 orange cuties (3 for squeezing and 3 clean and separated into segments)
- 2 red bell peppers sliced and cleaned
- 1 grocery store salad bag of baby spinach
- 10 ounces of carrot match sticks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup of olive oil
Directions
In large bowl combine cooked noodles, 3 orange cuties worth of segmented oranges, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach.
Squeeze 3 left over oranges over the bowl and pour in oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Toss until combined. Can be chilled or served immediately.
Diploma Cookies
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- Pull and peel licorice
- Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Wafer Cookie Tubes
Directions
Pull licorice apart and then cut then little pieces in half
Tie a piece of licorice around the cookie with a bow
That’s it mom! Super yummy and super easy to make you look like the Super Hero you are!
Congratulations Class of 2015, you did it! A friend told me to surround myself with people who see the greatness within myself, even when I don’t. You do the same and no matter what you do, don’t settle for ordinary — be extraordinary!
