The class of 2020 should still celebrate their accomplishments. They worked hard to reach this milestone and we need to find creative ways to honor and support them through this. We hope that schools will do virtual graduation ceremonies, but we think loved ones can take it a step further and create a virtual party for their graduates. This guide gives you the basics you need to get started on a virtual graduation along with some fun designs to use. Aside from cancelled events during social distancing this idea also works when you want to share celebrations with loved ones across the miles. At the end of the article we share an opportunity for more free designs and ideas.
1. Create a group page on Facebook to share the celebration
- Create your new group
- Choose to keep it public or private
- Pick a personalized catchy name for it
2. Customize and “decorate” the page for the celebration with themed items and celebration photos
- Add a Facebook Cover image for the celebration
- Add instructions for “guests” and pin it as an announcement
- Add photo posts that relate to celebration
- Check out our design articles for more ideas or design packages for more designs.
3. Share and invite guests to the celebration page
- Get your group page link and invite people to join the group
- Create or use a themed event invite to send or post
- Use the “Invite by Email” link in your group to invite guest that are not on Facebook
4. Create a celebration video or photo slide show to honor the graduate
- Collect photos and videos that document their accomplishments as a graduate.
- Ask guests that are invited to make video messages or share their photos to be included in your video.
- Use free photo or video apps and programs to create a video or slideshow
- Minimum width is 600 pixels and it should be saved as an MP4 or MOV file.
- This slideshow or video will be used in the video chat and then posted in the Facebook Group.
5. Set up a video chat for the live part of the graduation party
- Setup the live part of the party in video chat software such as Facebook Messenger or Zoom.
- Post the information in the group with instructions for guests.
- Send party reminders to everyone who is invited.
6. Have guests interact with graduation games and posts before, during, and after the live video chat.
- Post photos in the Facebook Group and allow guests to share their own.
- Post games for them to play that are related to the event or celebration. (Get our Grads Up! Game Instructions)
- Transition to the video chat with a link in Facebook Messenger or to Zoom.
- Ask one guest to take screen shots of the interaction on the video chat to share with guests on the Facebook page.
- Have the graduate add a Facebook live after the party is complete to thank guests for their participation
- If using Zoom, make sure you record the event and post it in the Facebook group.
7. Leave the group and videos up so those who could not attend the graduation party can celebrate the graduate later.
