I'll admit I can redesign a room in your home with my eyes shut but please don't ask me to decorate a party. My daughter Emory is graduating from high school this Sunday and I panicked over her graduation party. So to help YOU not panic, here are a few tips I learned a long the way:

Tip #1: Guests will eat cupcakes before they will eat cake.

The cake we had made by Miss Mamie was a work of art but the mini cupcakes were the hit. The favorite of the night? Coconut Lemon! Miss Mamie ships her delectable treats so check out her website: https://www.missmamiescupcakes.com/.

Tip #2: Balloons are a colorful and creative way to "fill" space

We had a large clubhouse to decorate and the balloons were a great way to fill the empty corners of the room, frame the guitarist, act as a centerpiece and decorate the gift tables. The balloons added a lot of color and festive flavor. Party America made these great balloon "topiaries". Another hint: Have them all delivered! The best $25 I've ever spent.

Tip #3: Create a Gift Table that Celebrates the Past AND the Future.

We had four kids at this party. Each kid had a "gift table". Emory and her friend Summer are going to UGA. I found these great steel UGA tubs from Glory Glory. I gave them to my friend Joan to bedazzle (hey I know when to outsource!)  I covered the table with a red floor length linen layered with a UGA plaid tablecloth on top. I filled the top with UGA shakers, a signature frame, UGA balloons and of course an ipad streaming photos of all the kids growing up over the years.

The bucket was the perfect size for cards and small gifts.

The signature frame was a great keepsake for Emory. You can purchase the signature frame at any local hobby shop (Joann's, Michaels even HomeGoods) (don't forget to bring the Sharpie's!)

Tip #4: Rent Linens!

No plastic, ill fitting table cloths at this party - no way!  Thanks to Rent All Plaza, we had our pick of perfectly pressed linens in all shapes, sizes and colors. The gift tables were in the kids college colors and the rest were white. Nothing to wash, nothing to iron - awesome!

Tip #5: Keep guests animated with a digital slideshow.

Thank you Apple for your wonderful products! A slideshow of all the kids over the years was hilarious to watch.

Tip #6: Nothing beats Live Music

Thanks to the power of Facebook, I was able to find Lerogie Sims who worked with Emory to create a playlist she liked and played for 3 straight hours (for a price I could afford!). He added great energy to the party.

Tip #7: Create a Photo Wall

Thanks to the fantastic visual ideas on Pinterest, this photo wall was a hit! It's a great way to involve the guests - we chose photos that showed all of the kids that were invited to the party. (Hint: Black and White looks much better).

Tip #8:  Chose Live Flowers for Centerpieces

I chose these gorgeous red Lillies (UGA color of course) from Home Depot ($20 each). I then went back to the hobby store (Joann Fabrics) and bought wide grosgrain ribbon in UGA, UGSC and Liberty colors and had my friend Joan (aka my lifesaver) paint "Class of 2012" on them so that I could wrap them around each pot. I will be replanting these in my garden this week!

Tip #9: Serve the Drinks Creatively!

My friend Tammy came up with this idea. She bought three large galvanized steel tubs from Lowe's. She then headed over to the florist shop and purchased wide jute ribbon to spray paint in the kids college colors. Cute huh?

Tip #10: Mom Essentials - Wine, Powder, Hairspray

HAVE FUN!!!