Do you have a graduate this year? I do not, but at our school, the junior class parents put on the graduation party for the seniors and their families, so I was able to enjoy all of the pomp and circumstances, with a little less of the drama and emotion this year.
I have another year until I watch my little one cross that stage, but I was mesmerized and touched listening to the stories about her senior classmates and seeing the pride and optimism on their faces.
I also loved working with the talented group of parents who collaborated to bring this celebration together. It was a great chance to plan & bond and also to prepare ourselves for the inevitable.
I feel like I got the fun job for the evening, the candy buffet!
The color scheme for the evening was green, black and white, so I got to go wild at the Candy Warehouse searching for a variety of tints and flavors of compelling green confections on which the grads could gorge. We even offered cellophane bags and customized stickers so the kids could pack a stash for their overnight celebration.
You’ll find a complete list of the candies I chose at the bottom of this post {and they all come in a variety of colors}.
But before you go there, lets gaze on this dramatic display of nature one of the moms made, isn’t it fresh and fabulous?
For some tips on how to create a bouquet like this, click on The daffs are in the details to see a similar bouquet made with lemons and daffodils.
As a take~away gift, another set of mom’s made these sweet candy tins personalized with a photo of each of the graduates, the tins encircled the simply stunning hydrangea centerpieces.
Congratulations to all of the graduates out there!
p.s.
Peanut allergies are a serious issue these days and in this class we have 5 kids who are affected. None of our candies contained peanuts but we had some products that were made in plants which also processed peanut products, so those with severe allergies needed to know. Each jar that contained these products was clearly labeled with a “doily” that was glued to the base of the so it couldn’t be separated from the vessel, no matter how fierce the frenzy for the candy became.
Also, we made it clear which products could be completely overindulged in by all, without fear of any allergic reactions!
Here are the candies that are completely free of any tree or nut tree product: Apple Jolly Ranchers / Green Apple Frooties / Laffy Taffy, Green Apple / Sour Apple Dum-Dum Pops / Tip-Top Powdered Candy Straws – in popular sour apple / Watermelon Gumballs .
These products are manufactured in facilities where they also process peanut and nut tree products, so they should be avoided by those with severe peanut allergies: Chewy Sour Balls, Margarita / Green Spearmint Canada Mints / Key Lime Saltwater Taffy .
I found most of the allergen information from the manufacturers websites {look for FAQS/ allergen information], Candy Warehouse helped me to identify the name of the manufacturers. If the allergen information wasn’t posted on the site I called them.
I didn’t get a response from the company or find the information on the website for the Spearmint Balls.
Good work and sweet dreams, dear graduates.
Emily, this is such a sweet way to celebrate. What a fun, pretty and thoughtful candy creation you have here. Love the flowers and the takeaways, too. The grads must have loved it. Hope you have a wonderful, amazing last year with your daughter at home!!! XOXO
Emily-
We did the same thing at my children's school, and I am telling you, it is well worth the effort, and it is so nice to be able to enjoy a night when your child graduates. And you are right, it is a bonding process, which is so important during th least year!
Happy Wednesday,
Teresa
xoxo
Beautifully and tastefully done Emily! I love the monochromatic scheme for the grads!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Thank you! It was a rewarding effort!