I have two children at university (college if you are a US reader) at the moment - well three technically as one is studying for his Masters alongside working. I am a very proud mum as you can imagine.
When my older child graduated I bought a new dress, posed grinning like a loon in the gardens around the University and invited siblings and friends to a celebration lunch in a nearby restaurant. I'm sure when the others graduate I will be just as overexcited.
If you want to celebrate Graduation as the huge achievement it is, you could go one step further and order beautiful university or college graduation invitations to invite friends and family to the actual event or to a get-together afterwards where you can raise a glass and take LOTS of photographs.
A graduation celebration does not have to cost a fortune and should be tailored to the person graduation. If their fave thing to do is a backyard BBQ and beers that's fine. If they want to keep friends and family separate maybe organise a drinks reception then let the youngsters head out to let loose away from people who might not appreciate a night of student style celebrations while you continue to toast their success.
We were on a budget and in the UK one of our local supermarkets offers vouchers which you can exchange for rewards ranging from Eurostar tickets to crockery. They have a list of eateries which accept the vouchers to pay for meals. I collected them for ages then blew the lot on a meal in a lovely pub, just asking people to buy their own drinks.
A picnic is a lovely way to mark the end of study and it can be as basic or as fancy as you like. The great thing about this is you don't need to host at your home or pay for a venue - find a picturesque park, beach or riverbank and pop the bubbly.
Whatever you decide, make sure your guests know exactly what to expect in terms of timings, dress code and venue. Use a graduation card template to ensure you have all the information in a clear, easy to read and understand format.
You could add a picture of the graduating student. Maybe a lovely formal one or for fun, a baby picture. Help people remember that toddler covered in chocolate who is now the proud holder of a well earned academic qualification. Don't those baby years seem a million years ago now?
As a sweet final touch you could create a memory book or box with the gradution programme, one of the college graduation invitations and some other mementoes from the day. Graduating is such an achievement that it is quite right to fully celebrate such a special day.