The open house style graduation party works best, because it gives guests an opportunity to stroll through at a time convenient for them and gives you, the graduate, time to enjoy their presence and thank them for coming. Avoid planning a party for less than three hours.Click to see full answer. People also ask, how much food should you have at a graduation party?If you are serving a full meal, plan to have about one and a half pounds of food per person.Secondly, how long is a graduation open house? A 4-hour time frame – whether afternoon or evening — allows for a nice flow of people coming and going, and hopefully means that you will be able to spend some real time with each guest. Send an invite – either paper or online – with all of the details. Also Know, how far in advance do you send out graduation party invitations? If a grad is having a party, experts say invitations should be sent to local friends and family three to four weeks before the date. Invitations for out-of-town relatives and friends should be sent out at least six weeks in advance, and should include a map of the area along with a list of local hotel suggestions.How do you have a successful graduation party? Six tips for planning a successful graduation party Determine what your graduate wants. Many parents assume a graduation party is a rite of passage, a tradition. Create a preliminary guest list. Jot down the family, friends, and co-workers you’d like to invite. Formal paper invites are king. Timing. Entertainment options. Two parties in one.