How to Celebrate Your Grad During the Stay-at-Home Order

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, many states are being encouraged to shelter in place and practice social distancing. Events such as prom, graduation and Senior trips are  being cancelled to keep everyone safe — but this doesn’t mean we have to forgo celebrating. If you live with a grad who has had to give up the long-revered tradition of walking on stage and receiving their diploma, you can still find many ways to show your appreciation and pride while staying home.

Have a DIY Graduation Photoshoot

You might miss taking candids of your grad as they walk the stage, but why not take this opportunity to set up some special graduation photos around your home or yard? 

Have your grad deck themselves out in their cap and gown, add some props for personalization (new college pennon, sports equipment, or even your family dog!), and snap some photos next to your beautiful garden or the wall of childhood photos in your home. Send these photos out to be printed and framed, and give to friends and family to commemorate this accomplishment.

Plan a Virtual Celebration

Invite your friends and family to celebrate with you and your grad over video chat! Although seeing everyone in person would be preferable, we’re fortunate enough to have the technology to see and talk with people from all corners of the world during this time. Some of the most popular virtual communication apps are Zoom, Skype, Facebook Messenger Rooms, and Google Hangouts. Ask everyone to come with their favorite stories or memories of your grad growing up, and prepare for the tears with some Kleenex!

[Related: Tips to Get Organized This Spring]

Create a Photo Slideshow or Video Tribute

The years of hard work haven’t gone unnoticed — and neither have the awkward haircuts, cute faces, and questionable outfits! Collect photos or videos of your grad from early childhood to now, and ask friends and family to contribute as well. Put together a slideshow of them growing up with easy-to-use apps such as Google Photos, PicPlayPost, VivaVideo, and iMovie. A slideshow would be great to share during a virtual celebration as well! 

Decorate Your Home and Yard

Show off your grad by decorating your home and yard for the neighbors to see! Commission personalized banners or signs to place in your yard, decorate your front door with future college banners, balloon arches, and blown up photos of your grad, and fill the house with streamers. Making their environment look exciting and different (even if it’s a bit over the top) will show them that it isn’t just another normal day staying home — it’s their graduation!

Organize a Social Distancing Graduation Parade

One fun way to celebrate your grad is to organize a social distancing drive-by parade. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to drive by your house at a certain time while you and your grad hang out or barbecue in the front yard. They can slow down, honk their horns, blast some music, and partake in a “parade” to celebrate your grad’s big day from a safe distance.

Support Local Businesses

During this time, a lot of smaller, local businesses are really struggling to stay afloat. Why not  support some of these businesses that could contribute to your at-home celebration? Hotcakes is currently offering pickup and delivery of their delicious cakes and cookies, and Trophy Cupcakes is selling DIY cupcake kits. 

As far as flowers and plants go, Stadium Flowers offers a wide variety of graduation bouquets and leis, the Seattle Flower Lady has same-day delivery, and Capitol Hill’s The Plant Shop has pickup and delivery options for their indoor plants and cacti (with 20% off online orders!). 

To help you decorate, the Red Balloon Company, Champion Party Supply, and McNamara Signs have you covered with balloons, signs, banners, and more for curbside pickup and delivery.

Make Future Plans

During this unsure time, there’s one thing we can count on: This won’t last forever. Start brainstorming ideas with your grad about what their ideal non-social-distancing graduation party would look like. Then once this pandemic passes, you can plan for a larger celebration with less restrictions. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Along with household management, Pepper’s Personal Assistants helps its clients with party planning by grocery shopping, setting up decorations, and tidying around the house in preparation for guests. Contact Pepper’s Personal Assistants today to find out more about how we can help!