Graduation Decorations That Go for the Gold

Graduation truly is a time to sparkle and shine—and using gold in your party décor will also put you right on trend. Gold is everywhere these days and in many different ways: foil, leaf, glitter, tassel, etc. Here are a few easy ways to make your graduation the one that outshines the rest!

Duct tape, you’ve come a long way! One of the simplest ways to customize and add some pizzazz to your centerpieces is to wrap a piece of gold duct tape around the vase and write a message on the tape. This gold duct tape is actually dry-erase as well—what could be easier!

flowers-and-invitation

Black-and-gold is a popular color combo this season, and there are many different invitations available with this look. The glitter on the border and cap are fun, but the simplicity of the design makes it sophisticated at the same time.

I used a few different techniques for this special arrangement, but each one is very easy to do.

gold-glitter-vase-supplies

What you’ll need:

  • 10-12 white roses
  • 6 stems salal leaves
  • Floral tape or rubber band
  • Design Masters Gold spray paint (this is a floral paint)
  • Gold duct tape
  • Adhesive glue tape runner
  • Gold glitter

For the vase:

diy-glitter-vase-step-one

Make several stripes around a clear glass cylinder vase using the tape runner.
Lay scrap paper on a flat surface.

diy-glitter-vase-step-two

Holding the vase over the paper, sprinkle the glitter over the areas where you have applied the adhesive tape. (The glitter that falls on the paper can easily be put back in the jar to use for additional vases or another project.)

Hand-tied bouquet:

  • Remove the foliage from the rose stems.
  • Gather the roses together in your hand starting with the middle rose, adding each additional rose at a slightly lower level.
  • Secure stems with floral tape first to hold them tightly together.
  • Cut the bottom of the rose stems so that the roses will sit just at the top of the vase.
  • Cut salal stems shortly shorter and spray front and back of leaves with Design Masters gold spray paint and let dry for a few minutes.
  • Collar the bottom of the bouquet, just under the roses with the gold leaves.
  • Use floral tape to keep the salal stems in place before wrapping all of the stems with gold duct tape, leaving 1-2″ of the stems exposed.
  • Add 1-2″ of water to the vase before placing your bouquet.

Gold vase with inspirational words:

shine-bright-centerpiece

Use a paint marker made specifically for glass to add an inspirational saying to a gold glass vase. I went with Shine bright like a diamond. Some other possibilities: You sparkle and shine or Twinkle, twinkle, rising star.

gold-tassel-banner

Another hot trend that’s perfect for graduation celebrations is tassels. We made our festive gold tassel banner from a bag of gold shred. Just take individual strands, group them together and secure at the top with a small piece of wire. Attach the tassels to a piece of gold ribbon—that’s it! Easy peasy!

Author

Julie started her career in the floral industry over 30 years ago in a small, family-owned flower shop. From floral designer to author and lifestyle expert, her insight has been instrumental in developing the 1-800-Flowers.com brand. Representing the company’s floral lifestyle vision, Julie has shared her talent and passion in numerous television appearances and national magazine features. She is an active fundraiser and longtime friend of IGHL, a group dedicated to facilitating a more independent life for developmentally challenged adults.

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