I would post this on the "entertaining forum" This forum isn't used much & mostly showing problem with fence or pump or something. Or people trying to sell something for your yard. Party ideas are over at "entertainment forum" They are folks that do have parties. If that doesn't work you might try Holidays forum as it is very active & many of them have parties so might be able to help you out.

Thank you for the thoughtful answers... and Sweeby, for the equally important question! I think I have been going back and forth (at least subconsciously) about who this party is for. DS was a very difficult child in his early years (basically until high school), so we are happy, and relieved!, that he has turned out well! So in part, this party is a celebration of that -- but we would never say to him what we're thinking, which is "We never thought we'd see this day!" But many of the adults in attendance know his story and will appreciate the significance of the day. So I think I am trying to combine the "toast the parents and the kid who have (all) worked so hard to get here" and the "have your friends come too, and celebrate just being done with high school" themes. I didn't even think about having a separate area for the teens, but that is a great idea. I'm trying to keep the party mostly outside, but the teenagers can congregate in the basement. I can put coolers of soda and bowls of chips and stuff down there. I also agree with hhireno that he should be capable of a brief speech to thank people for coming. I'm sure he'd do that. I'm thinking too, instead of the collage, I can put his 'school years' photos in small frames and scatter them around the tables. I think in the end, he'll roll his eyes but let me do what I want w/ the photos.

When I made the sweet potato wedges they were just sprinkled with parmesean cheese and broiled. Here's a great recipe I have started to get hooked on, would be fab for a dip for these kinds of potatoes or even a dressing for a sweet potato salad. I make it in batches and freeze in ice cube trays for little flavor chunks to pull out. It keeps a relatively bright cilantro taste, which is unusual for that herb in the freezer. Probably due to all the citrus and the dried corriander. Thai Curry Paste (From Moosewood Restaurant Lowfat Favorites) 1/4 cup chopped scallions 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, basil or Thai basil, or a mix 2 TBLSP minced garlic cloves 2 TBLSP minced fresh ginger root 1 TBLSP freshly grated lemon or lime peel or minced tender inner stalk of fresh lemongrass 1 TBLSP brown sugar 1-2 fresh red or green chilis, minced 3 TBLSP fresh lemon or lime juice 1 TBLSP ground corriander 1 tsp. tumeric 1/2 tsp. salt Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until quite smooth. Here's the sweet potato salad recipe. I don't make it on the grill, (don't have one) I roast the sweet potatoes, usually parboiling them in the summer when it's hot to run the oven. I also sometimes add corn and red or green peppers, depending on what else I'm serving. Adds great color! Grilled Sweet Potato and Green Onion Salad Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay Prep Time: 20 min Inactive Prep Time: hr min Cook Time: 50 min Level: Easy Serves: 4 servings Ingredients 4 large sweet potatoes, do not peel 4 scallion, used both parts, green and white 1/2 cup canola oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup cider vinegar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons honey 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover by an inch with cold water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until just cooked through but not soft, about 40 minutes depending on the size. When cool enough to handle, slice crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Must be fork tender! Preheat grill to high. Brush potatoes on both sides with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly golden brown on both sides and just cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Remove to a bowl. Brush green onions with the remaining canola oil and grill until slightly charred and softened, about 4 minutes. Remove and thinly slice. Add to the potatoes. Whisk together the vinegars, mustard and honey in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified and taste for seasoning. Pour the dressing over the potatoes, add the parsley and gently toss to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature. Here is a link that might be useful: Food Network - Grilled sweet potato and green onion salad, ala Bobby Flay

I gave both of my kids a grad party when they graduated from HS. Both were essentially the same. Sunday afternoon around 2 pm. Lots (LOTS) of munchies - chips, dips, veggies, cookies, brownies, cheese, that sort of thing. No activities were planned. I invited my close friends, and they invited their friends. I served wine for the adults, cokes for the kids. Everyone sat around munching & schmoozing and a good time was had by all. Simple. For gifts, I recommend things that have to do with the college they will be going to (for those who are going). T-shirt, sweat shirt, rug for dorm room, blanket, etc, with college logo. If they are going away to another city, books with information on that city. Mostly my kids got checks for gifts, but a few people gave them what I just named above and they liked those gifts a lot.