Food can enhance the graduation party experience.
A graduation is a significant milestone worthy of celebration among friends and family. The party will likely be decorated with streamers and balloons, but food is another way to celebrate graduation festivities. In fact, Bob Ashley, author of Food and Cultural Studies, explains that choice of food reveals connotations about gender, culture, race and identity. Use your party food choices to express your achievements, your school pride and your university's heritage.
Mortar Board Graham Crackers
Cookies are tasty, but decorated graham crackers are a more creative substitute. Smother the graham cracker in dark chocolate sauce, or dye white chocolate in your school colors. Take some icing and make a tassel in the middle of the graham cracker. If time permits, decorate the cracker by writing the school name in icing. Let the icing on the graham crackers harden to avoid smudging.
Color-coordinated Food
Have a spirit section of the spread dedicated to school colors. For example, using Arizona State's colors of maroon and gold, you can create a platter decorated with ribbons that holds pineapple chunks and cherries. Choose beverages in the school colors, too, like red wine or punch with an orange wedge. Also try to arrange the foods in the shape of the mascot or a symbol of the school. For example, Sparky the Sundevil may be difficult to outline in food, but a pitchfork is easy to create, as are swords and paw prints.
School Stories
Choose nostalgic foods unique to your school experience. For example, if you celebrated after every exam by going to the local Mexican food restaurant, re-create those dishes. Next to the dish, write a story giving background about the significance of the food like "I went to Filiberto's when I found out I passed my chemistry exam." Or, next to the coffee station write, "My late-night, life-saving brew during midterms." Guests will be delighted to feel included in your school experience.
School Heritage
Make the entire spread customized to the region of your school. If you graduated from a school in the South, treat out-of-town guests to a barbecue with pulled ribs, grits and collard greens. Graduating from a school in New Mexico lends itself to tacos, guacamole and enchiladas. Find customary drinks like mint juleps and bourbon for the South, margaritas and daiquiris for the Southwest or a selection of fine wines for Northern California.
Tags: your school, school colors, decorated with, from school, graham cracker, school experience, your school experience