College Farewell Party Themes

If you or someone you know is heading off to college, a college farewell party can be a fun way to celebrate the start of an exciting new chapter. The following themes can all help to make sure a farewell party is the perfect balance of celebration, acknowledgment, and fun.

Book Theme 

A book-themed party can provide all kinds of creative ideas, whether it's a write-the-next-chapter-of-your-life idea or one that focuses on the academic nature of college. Decorating with books can be easy on the budget, as you (and your friends and neighbors) likely already have a ton of books you can use for centerpieces and the like. Assemble books related to your intended major, personal interests, or nostalgic books from your childhood.

State Theme

If you're going to college in a new state, consider making that state's history and reputation the theme. Places like Hawaii, New York, California, and Idaho all have strong identities that you can showcase to make an exciting theme. Additionally, look into the state (or specific college's) history for more ideas.

Sports-Team Theme

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If your school is known, for example, for a great football team, that can easily become your farewell party theme. Similarly, if you're going to college in a town with famous professional teams—like Boston—those can also be adapted to a successful party theme. Jerseys, equipment, and sports memorabilia can all be used to make a sports-themed party stand out.

Course-of-Study Theme

If you want to be a doctor, consider a party that revolves around the medical field—children's playsets of doctors' coats and stethoscopes can easily become quick centerpieces and decorations. If you want to be a teacher, consider decorating with apples, books, chalkboards, and school supplies. Using what you want to study, or a job you'd like to have after you graduate can be a clever starting place for a party theme.

Off-to-See-the-World Theme

A travel-themed party can be especially meaningful if you're interested in studying abroad or majoring in a field like international relations. The theme can easily be achieved with maps, globes, and other world-theme decor. Ask guests to mark places on a world map that they have visited. Add foods from all over the world to the party menu. For an extra fun touch, try to include an ice cream bombe that looks like the earth.

What-Will-You-Become? Theme

Many students go off to college as undeclared majors and are unsure what they want to study. If this is the case, use the party as a chance to explore a few of the possibilities. Ask guests to write down predictions for the future student. Place a crystal ball in the centerpiece to set the theme of what the future might hold. Sometimes an undecided but wide open future can be a perfect farewell party theme.

Role Model Theme

This theme offers the opportunity to acknowledge those who helped pave your path. If you're heading off to college to study science, you might frame your party around heroes in science who helped you make that choice. Similarly, if you want to go to college so you can help your community or become politically active, find and display information about role models who helped you set those goals. It can be a great way for you to remind yourself of your internal motivations while also helping party guests learn about people they might not have heard about before.

College/University Theme

This one is so easy that it's often overlooked. Plan your theme around the college you'll be attending. Use school colors for things like plates and decorations and have key people wear shirts advertising the name of your future college or university. For a special touch, have a cake decorated with your school's logo. It's an easy and fun theme that can help everyone celebrate your excitement about your new school.

Ready-to-Bloom Theme

If you love flowers, gardening, nature, or protecting the environment, having an "off-to-bloom" theme can be original and creative. You can use small plants or seed packets as decorations and party gifts. Start with the analogy of heading off to college as the beginning of someone really opening up and becoming him- or herself. This theme offers a lot of opportunities for creativity. Given how much growth and change happens during one's time in college, it can be the perfect farewell party theme.