Creating a memorable graduation experience is the perfect way to acknowledge all the hard work and resilience of your soon-to-be university graduate. This June, as my daughter prepared to graduate from McMaster University, I also felt that we were making up for lost time. Covid time. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, her graduating class had already been stripped of a proper high school graduation, a senior prom, and a first-year, on-campus university experience. So, I embraced the opportunity to go all out!

Before planning any festive occasion, I look for ideas and inspiration – colours, décor, food & beverages, music, gifts, wardrobe – to create an overall look and feel. While the convocation ceremony itself would be designed and executed by the university, the rest was open to some personal creativity!