Hosting a graduation party for little sister?

Question

It will be outside in a large backyard with in ground pool. She wants a souther/country theme...Any ideas for food, games, decor?

Answer 1

I have held 3 graduation parties for my kids (one of them western themed) and here are some ideas.

Finger foods are great for a party like this. How about BBQ meatballs on skewers. Pulled pork sandwiches, the recipe above looks wonderful, chips, salads and an ice cream sundae bar for dessert with vanilla ice cream, brownies, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and all kinds of candies to top it all off with.

For decor. Inexpensive kids cowboy hats with a flowering potted plant like a daisy make great inexpensive centerpieces.

You can find plants at Home Depot or Walmart and here is a link to cowboy hats at Oriental trading.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...

String white Christmas lights up in the trees and on the deck or even just lay them on the ground at the edge of the yard. They make it look festive.

For tablecloths. White, red or navy queen size sheets make great tablecloths for round tables. Walmart has very inexpensive queen sheets like this for under $8.88 each. I cut them into a circle and hemmed the edges but you wouldn't have to. For some color. Buy bandannas to use as a table topper under the cowboy hat. They come in all different patterns and colors. Here is a link to oriental trading companies banbannas page http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...

Here is a link to all of their wester stuff. http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...

For the invitation make color postcard invitations on a color copier. Print our 4 copies of the invitation that are 3" x 4 1/2" place them face down on the scanner screen or xerox screen and then place a pink or colored bandanna over that and  make your copies. This will give you 4 per page and the bandanna becomes the 1/2" border around each invitation. It is really cute and inexpensive!  

Instead of games, set up a sound system hooked up to an iPod with a great play list and let them visit and dance. They really just want to spend time with each other and celebrate their graduation. You already have the pool. I would have everyone bring their suits and after dinner the kids can swim and dance into the evening.

The only thing to watch out for is crashers. Make sure you have an invitation list and an adult to check that the kids coming in are really invited. They can also help watch for kids doing things that they should not be doing.

You are so nice to do this for your sister. I hope that it is a wonderful party!

Answer 2

NOTHING MORE SOUTHERN THAN BBQ,,

CHOPPED PORK SANDWICHES

1 6-7 lb Pork Roast (Boston Butt/Shoulder)

Demon Pig BBQ Rub

2 bottles "Demon Pig BBQ Sauce"

Trim Excess fat from roast. Sprinkle with Demon Pig BBQ Rub.

Cook on grill with indirect heat at 225/250 degrees for 6 hours to an internal temp of 160 degrees. (This can be done in an oven or bbq smoker.)

Place in pan with 1/2 cup water, cover and place back on heat for one hour to finish. Remove from heat, let stand 30 minutes. Careful uncover. Let stand an additional 15 minutes.

Pull and chop meat to just under bite size pieces.

Warm "Demon Pig BBQ Sauce" slightly and mix thoroughly until lightly covered throughout meat. Serve additional sauce warm on the side.

Serve on buns with your favorite sides.

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Quick & Easy BBQ Beans

2 Large cans Pork & Beans ( About 28 oz)

½ pound Pork Breakfast Sausage (Spicey sausage works too!)

1Bottle "Demon Pig BBQ Sauce"

Drain beans, saving liquid. Brown and crumble sausage into very small pieces.

Mix all ingredients gently in an ovenproof pan. If necessary, add bean liquid to thin. More water may be needed while heating.

Heat covered slowly for one hour in a 300 degree oven. Stir after 30 minutes.

If you are in a big hurry, this an be don on the stop top, but must be stirred almost constantly to prevent burning.

Serve with any main course.