Garaguation: The garage has become party central for high school grads
FARGO – Cheryl Lausch was less than thrilled to hold her oldest daughter Peyton’s graduation party in the garage. Like many parents, she balked at the prospect of transforming the largest, dirtiest, least attractive space in her home.By: Tammy Swift, INFORUM
- Linda Anderson and Mary Jo Schmid
- Photos, awards and memorabilia
- Cheryl Lausch’s datebook
- Tristan Larson's tent
- Lausches' dessert table
- Peyton Lausch's photo display
More...
FARGO – Cheryl Lausch was less than thrilled to hold her oldest daughter Peyton’s graduation party in the garage.
Like many parents, she balked at the prospect of transforming the largest, dirtiest, least attractive space in her home.
“I wanted to do it in the house,” Lausch says. “But my husband said, ‘No, everyone has their party in the garage. We’ll sweep it out, and we’ll be fine.’ ”
Indeed, the garage graduation is almost expected in this corner of the world. So much so that Moorhead mom Linda Anderson coined the term “garaguation” to describe it.
And despite the garage’s aesthetic shortcomings, there are plenty of practical reasons to park partygoers in the space previously occupied by your lawn mower.
It’s usually the largest room in the house. The wide doorway allows for an easy flow of traffic. And – theoretically, at least – it saves the house from the wear-and-tear of 200 grazing, punch-sipping guests.
Even so, some families pull out all the stops to make the garage look as ungarage-like as possible. Parents tell stories of overachievers who install new mosaic tile, add cabinetry and order polished concrete flooring specifically for the big day.
But the majority resort to less extreme measures, painting dingy walls, creating video montages of their graduates and renting popcorn makers or slushy machines for the occasion.
“It’s more than a birthday party but less than a wedding,” Anderson says. “It’s somewhere in between.”
‘Try not to freak out’
In the end, Cheryl and Mike Lausch surrendered to the siren’s call of the garaguation last May.
An avowed foodie, Cheryl made chipotle pulled beef, ordered Gobble-Up turkeys and prepared four kinds of salsa for a fajita bar. She borrowed a chocolate fountain from a friend and ordered chocolate-chip cookie cakes for Peyton, who doesn’t like regular cake. She also used Fargo Rentall, which provided chairs, tables, ice-filled tables for beverages and draperies to cover up cluttered shelves.
Peyton, the family scrapbooker, compiled an elaborate display of photos while first-time quilter Cheryl stitched the all-important T-shirt quilt, which incorporated shirts from her daughter’s theater and school activities.
By the time the day was over, 150 friends, neighbors and family members filed through the Lausch garage for Peyton’s open house.
“We had a good time, but for a month, it was crazy,” Cheryl says. “It is hundreds (of dollars). Some people don’t want to put that kind of money into a party, and maybe it is a little over the top.”
At least the Lausches have learned some lessons for their son Drew’s graduation next year.
Cheryl says she’s learned to ask friends for help and to use professionals like housekeeping services or grocery deli departments if needed. And she’s relieved Drew’s favorite food is pizza, which can be ordered and delivered.
“Try not to freak out,” Lausch advises other garaguation parents. “People will have a good time, regardless.”
Plans can be daunting
It wasn’t always this way.
Sure, the regional tradition of graduation open houses has been around for decades, but the celebration – like weddings, children’s parties and proms – has grown costlier and more elaborate in recent years.
“It’s an episode,” Anderson says. “So far, it’s not a limo event.”
For the first-time parent of a graduate, it can be daunting. They must work out dozens of logistical party-planning details, appease a high school senior who is navigating a major life transition and face the prospect of their firstborn leaving the nest.
On top of that, social media tools such as Facebook make it possible for graduates to invite hundreds of people. Will 50 people come – or 500?
When Mary Jo Schmid and Brent Larson’s oldest child, Tristan, graduated from Moorhead High in 2009, they spent a year planning his party. On
the night of the 300-guest event, their garage had been transformed into a café setting, complete with rugs on the floor and a tent over the driveway.
But she confesses she also was “a total basket case.”
Fortunately, she wasn’t alone. Good friends Linda Anderson and Kathy Hunstad were right beside her to smooth out party details and the mother-of-the-grad’s nerves.
“I had no idea what to expect, being as Tristan was the oldest. I remember thinking, ‘Where’s the book on this?’ ” Schmid says.
Now there may actually be one. The three friends – whose sons Trevor Larson, Jarrod Anderson and Bjorn Hunstad met through theater activities – all graduate this year. Likewise, their moms thought their experiences would help them write the definitive garaguation guide.
The book is still in the works, but the trio already taught a Moorhead Community Education class this spring on how to stage such a fete. The class attracted 10 people and turned them into unofficial “garaguation” experts.
The women talked about theme ideas based on their own experiences (ice cream sundaes, pool parties, brunch). They shared tips on how to make the garage’s less-attractive elements work for you (hang quilts from step-ladders; loop twinkle lights over rafters; set up inexpensive lattice panels in front of cluttered shelving and then hang photos or school awards on them).
They even hashed out a yearlong garaguation calendar.
And they reassured people that a garaguation doesn’t need to be posh or perfect for people to enjoy it. Schmid says some families roll the motorcycles out of the garage, set up chairs and grill hot dogs – and everyone has a great time.
“It took me a while to realize we didn’t need to do all this,” Schmid says. “That was really what it was all about: It’s to celebrate the special day of this person.”
Throw the perfect party
Tips for planning a garaguation:
- Don’t be afraid to bring in professionals. Many rental companies offer a “graduation package,” which includes a certain number of chairs, tables and other party staples. Most will also deliver, set up and take down, which can be a huge savings in time and labor. If you’re pressed for time, don’t be afraid to hire someone to cater, bake the cake or clean.
- Give yourself plenty of advance planning time so you’re not scrambling to find rental items and decorate the garage at the last minute. Get as many things done in advance as possible. Matt Gilbertson, a store manager with Fargo Rentall, says his store delivers 2,000 to 4,000 chairs per weekend during graduation season. In other words, you’ll need to reserve rental items months in advance to guarantee supplies don’t run out.
- If friends and family offer help, take it. Most people are glad – even honored – to help serve dessert, man the guestbook or check if beverages need restocking. “Don’t think you can host and do it all,” says Fargo parent Cheryl Lausch. “You should be enjoying it.” Also make sure people know what their jobs are beforehand so they don’t step on each other’s toes.
- Pick up items on sale when you can. A great time to get graduation décor is right after the previous year’s commencement season. Start looking for sales on water, pop and beverages several months in advance so you can keep the budget under control.
- Remember personal touches. Garaguation experts Mary Jo Schmid, Linda Anderson and Kathy Hunstad recommend using your graduate’s favorite children’s book as a guest book, as it will have few words, lots of space for signatures and plenty of significance.
- Take care of yourself. It’s a lot to handle: the emotional toll of your graduate leaving the nest, coupled with the pressure of planning a big party. So get enough rest, eat well and tap into your support network when needed.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Tammy Swift at (701) 241-5525
RSS Feeds