Graduation party themes that are instantly recognisable as a strong theme with great costumes, decorations, music and very atmospheric. The idea is, it is fun to dress up and take part in the whole affair. The 1950s certainly gives all that and more. The enduring appeal of the 1950s is simply amazing. Movies like Grease (and its stage show) still have huge audiences even though it is an old movie in its own right.

The 1950s have lots of sights and sounds that bring it all together in our minds. The Grease film is an enduring feast of images like leather jackets, greased back hair, back combed beehives, poodle skirts, diners, and a way of life that was unique, fresh and fun as people emerged from post WW2 austerity. But these are not the only enduring images. The big names of Frank Sinatra and his rat pack had their own distinctive look and appeal. Looking back at the 1950s shows a brilliant diversity of older mages and the emerging rock n roll era. Stars like Elvis, Bill Hayley, and lots of other emerging superstars. With so many images to choose from you cam have the luxury of deciding which part of the 1950s theme to use or indeed if you want to mix them up. I don’t think the venue changes things too much unless to have a lounge singer type of party in mind.

The simplest way ahead, and possibly the easiest to find all the 1050s party supplies you need is to have Grease party. For you and your guests it is easy to find all the ideas you need for costumes, decorations, the dance and the music you need  by studying the movie. A fairly simple way to go is to study the various parts of the film and decide on the decorations you want.
 The dance floor is a good place to start. Have a close look at the dance floor in the movie. It has chairs around the floor with food and drinks tables off to the side. The school gym hall is perfect. The hall will have lots of balloons, streamers, a balloon bag, gossamer on the walls, banners with welcome to the high school graduation party and a stage for the live band. You may also have bunting and flags. You may also use 1950s scene setters or create a mural of a 1950s dance scene, perhaps that depends on how much you need to do to feel the decorations are just right. Clearly the live band helps a lot. You may need dancer leaders to help get the dancing started and give help to those who just need to get started. Perhaps you could have a professional 1950s dance display.

Study the 1950s clothing worn at the dance. The beautiful poodle skirt type dresses, the pastel colors, the flowers worn, the pastel suits, shirts, ties, shoes and sunglasses. Of course remember the great hairstyles. Study too the other clothing with the contrast of the school attire of the serious student and the leather jackets, sunglasses, pants, jeans, shoes, poodle skirts, scarves, and cardigans of the rebels.

The rest of the images you see in the movie will give you more inspiration and you just need to decide which bits you want to use.  That can be the cars which you can hire. You may also want to set up a drive in movie and show Grease the movie. A diner is perhaps the best. Look at the tables, chairs, colors, menus, waiting staff uniforms, the food and drinks and the jukebox. Clearly using the same menu of burgers, fries, milkshakes and ice cream. The jukebox play list can give you all the music you need. If you can hire a real 1950s jukebox even better. However a replica playing Cds is still great.

Having looked at all the images and deciding in principal how you want to proceed then you can customise the decorations, menus, table decorations and every part of the party you want to. This can be simply with the high school name and lots of mentions of the graduation party.  The entrance should be spectacular with an eye catching décor and of course an area for photographs. Being a graduation party there should be lots of celebrations all about graduation. That can be photos, message boards, congratulations and year books. These should make a strong tribute to the graduates.

Other ideas worth thinking about are Ice Cream parlor, soda fountain,  fairground stalls, donut stall, candy floss and coke. Perhaps you can have a dunking booth and some entertainers like magicians.
I hope you manage to put together the party you dream of.