How do you entertain a large group of guests during a graduation party? Take a deep breath and read these tips for a fuss-free gathering complete with good food and fun.

• Have lots of seating; borrow or rent folding chairs if you need to.
• Set your kitchen up as a buffet area to keep your dining room free of clutter — for more buffet space, you can cover the sink with a wood or plastic tabletop that has been wrapped with fabric.
• Put silverware in upright containers at the front of the buffet to save space.
• Set the dining tables and centerpieces up the day before, if possible.
• Set out your party dishes and utensils the night before.
• Use low centerpieces so your guests can see over them easily.
• If you plan on inviting children to the graduation party, set up a table especially for them; cover it with a white paper tablecloth and provide crayons or washable markers for them to “decorate” the table.
• Use thick paper plates to reduce cleanup, and have separate small plates for the graduation cake.

• Use a large cooler for canned and bottled drinks so your grad’s guests can pick their favorites. Fill it with ice and drinks ahead of time.
• Have plenty of bottled water — the beverage of choice for many people.
• Make pitchers of tea and other beverages like punch and lemonade ahead of time, and refrigerate to use less ice.

• Prepare as much food as possible beforehand.
• Foods that are fried or easy to eat while standing up will go first, so be sure to make extras.
• Ask friends to bring their specialties, especially finger foods. It’s fun for them and lightens your workload.
• Put food favorites such as seven-layer dip and Swedish meatballs on your menu. Since people stay with the familiar at parties, they disappear fast.
• Miniature versions of popular favorites are also great for a graduation party. Sliders — little hamburgers — are a good example. 
• Get guests of all ages involved with a do-it-yourself cupcake bar. Frost half the cupcakes with vanilla frosting and half with chocolate. Fill small bowls with jimmies, chocolate chips and pretty sugar crystals in your graduate’s school colors for people to decorate their own cupcakes.

You might also consider asking friends and family to help out. They can supervise the beverages and keep an eye on the buffet so you can make sure your graduate has a great time.