Commencement ceremonies, open houses, going-away presents — it’s graduation time again. The months of May and June are packed with graduation festivities, and if you’re a graduate or parent of one, you’re likely feeling the pressure. Graduation is an exciting time, but when you’re working on saving for the future, it can also be a time of financial stress.

But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise your celebration. Celebrate your hard work on a budget with these helpful tips:

1. Digital Invitations

While it may be fun to design fancy invitations, the reality is that your guests will simply end up throwing them away. Create a party invitation on Facebook or a website like Evite so your friends and family can have all the party details right on their smartphones.

2. Get Crafty

Feeling creative? From décor to party activities, you can save money with DIY projects. Make your own table decorations, photo frames, and signs. Look to Pinterest for endless ideas or check out this blog for DIY projects specific to graduation parties.

3. Host The Celebration At Home

If possible, plan to host your graduation celebration at your own home. Renting out a park pavilion, restaurant, or banquet hall is not only expensive, but you’re often required to use the location’s caterer as well.

4. Team Up With Another Graduate

Another way to cut costs while spreading out the workload is to combine parties with a friend or classmate. The more people involved, the less work there will be for everyone. For example, maybe one family has an expert in decorations while the other has someone who loves to cook. Divide the tasks equally for stress-free planning.

Graduation brings about many emotions, but stress doesn’t have to be one of them. Use these tips to stick to your budget and enjoy celebrating the big day. And if you’re looking for frugal graduation gifts, check out our post here.