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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Buca di Beppo. All opinions are 100% mine.
My daughter is graduating from high school next week, and to say that I am a proud mom doesn’t even begin to cover it. She’s grown into a lovely young woman, smart, capable, with a big heart and a wide open future.
I’ve been thinking about what we can do to celebrate. A graduation party is in order, no? The last hurrah before all the kids split up for the summer and fling themselves out into the world — college, gap years, jobs — exciting stuff, all of it.
Yes, let’s have a party, some place fun, eclectic, memorable. Some place worthy of a celebration of 13 years of school and a lift-off into college.
A perfect spot for a graduation party would be Buca di Beppo, the family-friendly Italian restaurant where the food is as good as the fun atmosphere and ambiance. Buca has a lot going for it for grad parties large and small, including…
- a lively atmosphere, enough noise (think families) that your spirited group won’t cause any concern to other patrons
excellent food, served family-style. There are plenty of options for all sorts of eaters. You can see their menu here (personalized to the state you live in). For a group I always like to get the Buca Trio Platter, which is fried calamari, fried mozzarella and stuffed mushrooms with marinara sauce, which keeps us busy while we talk. The Chopped Antipasto Salad is another fave, as is the Apple Gorgonzola Salad — 
maybe not so traditional, but very inventive and delicious. Specialty pizzas, pastas, chicken dishes — whatever Italian dish you can think of, they have.- the informal family-style servings allow each person to help themselves. This is a more friendly, collegial atmosphere than a traditional restaurant — perfect for the sort of party graduation demands. These dishes are meant to be shared.
- there are semi-private dining rooms available. Just describe the size of your party and your needs, and the hosts will arrange accordingly to suit your celebration
- Buca is a party atmosphere every day, and this is what they specialize in — Italian traditions of food, friendship and hospitality. Family celebrations should be around the table, shouldn’t they? Special occasions done right so that you feel comfortable and can focus on the person of honor.
My requirements for a great party are a fun location, wonderful food, a lively atmosphere, super guests and of course, a reason to celebrate! Buca di Beppo satisfies on every count. I’ll bring the reason.
Book your party easily online, and they’ll follow up with an email or phone call, whichever you choose.
Happy day to all the #Classof2015 graduates this season, whether it is high school, college, graduate school, military or anything else you want to celebrate!
Giveaway
[THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. The winner is Kelly D of Elmhurst Township, PA, chosen at random from the comments. Thanks for playing, everyone!]
Buca di Beppo is giving away a $50 gift card to help with your party. Simply tell me in the comments section below — What’s your favorite party planning advice? Contest ends next Friday, 6/5/15. Good luck everyone, and happiest graduation day to all.
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Make it potluck!
For party planning I say serve simple and make ahead! Every hostess wants to enjoy her party and not be stuck in the kitchen, so make things up ahead or use crock pots, chaffing dishes etc. to keep the food coming, while you mingle! 🙂
Do as much prep work at least a day before the party. I hate feeling pressured.
My best advice is to not wait until the last second and end up stressed out. Plan ahead!
My tip is to use drink dispensers, so guests can help themselves.
My advice is to buy everything as far ahead of time as possible so you can shop around for the best prices.
Looks like the perfect place to have a graduation celebration dinner! I’ve got a son graduating 5th grade this week!
My tip is to have everyone bring food to relieve pressure off the host.
Oh fun! I bet a lovely family restaurant like Buca De Beppo is perfect for a gathering like this.
A party is to be fun, do not get stuck on trying to be perfect. If you are very stressful for the party to be perfect… stop and relax.
My best advice is to start a party planning notebook. Include decoration ideas, guest lists, menu ideas, timelines, shopping list – jot down, in one place, all your ideas. I do this for our annual Christmas Eve parties, and our annual summer family cook-out. Reviewing the previous years menus and party ideas helps me plan for the current year!
My best advice is MAKE A LIST. Or, a few lists. If I don’t write it down, inevitably I will forget a few things.
Cook everything prior to the party. I transfer everything to serving dishes and keep everything warm in the oven and then serve it straight out on the island
My favorite party planning advice is to ask for help. Which is also the hardest party planning advice for me to follow! But it really is a good piece of advice.
My best advice is to make lists! Don’t think that you will just remember everything that needs to be done. Better safe than sorry. Write it down and prioritize the list and work in order.
Have the event somewhere that means food and lots of activity. Kids hopefully go home full and tired. Win-win!
My best party planning advice is to plan ahead of time & make as much of the food you can in advance. I also like to have a theme & work around that!
My best advice is to take advantage of friends and family to not only help you plan and think of idea but to also get items needed for the event so you don’t stretch yourself too thin.
My favorite advice is to buy everything you need a few days ahead
MY BEST PARTY PLANNING ADVICE IS TO HAVE PARTY AT A RESTAURANT. IT MAY COST A LITTLE MORE BUT ITS WORTH IT. NO SHOPPING AND PREPPING FOOD BEFOREHAND. NO CLEANUP AFTERWARD.