![\"Trunk](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduates-taking-a-groufie.jpeg\")
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Do you know a special grad who\u2019s moving on to their next chapter of education? Or perhaps someone you love is moving to a new city or adding another member to their family. Whatever you\u2019re celebrating, a <\/span>trunk party<\/span> is a fun and fresh way to honor a momentous transition. Here, you\u2019ll learn more about <\/span>trunk parties <\/span>and how to plan this type of celebration for someone special.<\/span> A <\/span>trunk party<\/span> is a celebration among friends and family who fill a trunk (or other large piece of luggage or container) with gifts. <\/span>Trunk parties<\/span> are most common as a <\/span>send-off<\/span> celebration for <\/span>high school graduates<\/span> who are about to experience <\/span>college life<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As such, gifts are usually <\/span>college essentials<\/span> like <\/span>school supplies<\/span>, dorm decor, and <\/span>toiletries<\/span>. <\/span>College trunk parties<\/span> sometimes serve as an alternative to a traditional <\/span>high school <\/strong>graduation party<\/strong><\/span><\/a> as they\u2019re so practical.<\/span><\/p>\n While <\/span>trunk parties<\/span> are ideal for <\/span>grads<\/span>, they\u2019re also fun for other big life moments. For instance, you could host a <\/span>trunk party<\/span> for a friend who\u2019s moving to a new place after a breakup or a <\/span>trunk party<\/span> baby shower<\/a><\/strong> for parents-to-be. You could also host a<\/span>\u00a0surprise <\/strong>birthday party<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and fill a trunk or case with themed items \u2014 like clothes, skincare, or gifts that relate to the birthday honoree\u2019s favorite hobbies or interests.<\/span><\/p>\n P<\/strong>arty planning<\/strong><\/span><\/a> for a <\/span>trunk party<\/span> is similar to planning for any other type of celebration, but there are a few things you\u2019ll want to add in \u2014 like explaining the concept to your guests and finding a suitable trunk! With these tips, we\u2019ll focus on a trunk<\/span> graduation party<\/a><\/strong> for a soon-to-be college student. But you can easily adjust the steps to suit another occasion like a <\/span>baby shower<\/span> or <\/span>wedding shower<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n For your <\/span>trunk party<\/span> to have the most impact, choose a date and time where a large majority of your guest list will be able to make it. Also, since these celebrations are often casual, feel free to inform guests that they can drop in within a broader time frame (like anytime between 3-6 p.m.) rather than at a specific start time.<\/span><\/p>\n Weekends are ideal, especially in the summer period between June and September. If you\u2019re hosting a <\/span>going away party<\/span> for a reason other than college, schedule your event at least a few weeks before the big move.<\/span><\/p>\n You don\u2019t need a fancy venue for <\/span>trunk parties<\/span> \u2014 host one as a <\/span>backyard party<\/a><\/strong>, in an apartment, or at a relative or friend\u2019s home. Wherever you host the festivities, make it easy for people to put a gift in the <\/span>grad<\/span>\u2019s trunk and have plenty of snacks and refreshments for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n The whole point of a <\/span>trunk party<\/span> is for guests to leave a gift inside the grad\u2019s trunk so they can take it with them to college. Naturally, you’ll need to find a container for these thoughtful gifts to travel in.<\/span><\/p>\n But while it\u2019s called a <\/span>trunk party<\/span>, you don\u2019t have to actually use a trunk. Chances are, your <\/span>college-bound student<\/span> will be short on space, so a large suitcase might be a more practical option. Think about your guest of honor and what will actually fit in their car or <\/span>dorm room<\/span>. If space really is tight but you love the idea of a trunk, switch to a gift basket, storage container, or even a hamper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before sending out your <\/span>online invitations<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, you could add a note to encourage people to bring along <\/span>gift cards<\/span> instead of a larger item.<\/span><\/p>\n Your <\/span>trunk party<\/span> doesn\u2019t need a theme, but it can be a fun way to create a specific atmosphere or honor the <\/span>grad<\/span>\u2019s favorite color (or school colors), style, or hobby.<\/span><\/p>\n Host a<\/span>\u00a0pool party<\/a><\/strong> alongside your <\/span>college trunk party<\/span>, throw a party themed around a specific TV series and ask for gifts that match, or host a practical <\/span>trunk party<\/span> themed around a need like food items, art supplies, or <\/span>dorm essentials<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Owl and Toad<\/p><\/div>\n Once you have the main details sorted, it\u2019s time to consider one of the most fun parts of party planning \u2014 creating and sending your <\/span>trunk party invitations<\/span>!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Use one of Greenvelope\u2019s paperless <\/span>graduation invitations<\/a><\/strong> and customize it to create a beautifully personalized <\/span>trunk party<\/span> invite. (We love this<\/span> modern grad party<\/strong> invite<\/strong><\/span><\/a> that lets you add a photo.)<\/span><\/p>\n Not everyone is familiar with the <\/span>trunk party<\/span> concept, so include a line about what to expect along with some <\/span>gift ideas<\/span> or a link to a gift registry. With Greenvelope invitations, you can free up space on your invite and include this in your<\/span> details panel<\/a><\/strong> instead.<\/span><\/p>\n The main focus at your <\/span>trunk party<\/span> will be all the wonderful gift giving, but you might still want to decorate your space a little. Put together a fun <\/span>centerpiece<\/span> if you\u2019re sitting down for a meal and hang up <\/span>party decorations<\/span> like banners, photos, and balloon decorations.<\/span><\/p>\n Use the <\/span>grad<\/span>\u2019s future <\/span>school colors<\/span>, take inspiration from a party theme, or stick to a color you know they love. Use the same colors throughout your decor to create a cohesive look.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re playing <\/span>outdoor <\/strong>party games<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, singing karaoke, or just want some tunes for background ambiance, a great playlist is always a hit for a <\/span>trunk party<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Put together a <\/span>grad party<\/span> playlist filled with the guest of honor\u2019s favorite songs from throughout their <\/span>high school<\/span> years. Create a shared playlist and invite party guests and <\/span>loved ones<\/span> to add their own favorite songs as a fun way to share in the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n Most of us take photos at special events, but having a dedicated <\/span>photobooth<\/span> area gives your guests somewhere special to snap those all-important selfies together.<\/span><\/p>\n Set up a space with a colorful backdrop, gather some photo props, and encourage your guests to snap away. Ask them to add a hashtag or send them to you after the event. You can then collect them and put together a <\/span>keepsake<\/span> photo album or online gallery that the guest of honor can look at whenever they want.<\/span><\/p>\n Design: Signature Greenvelope<\/p><\/div>\n Your guests will be coming along with a gift for the <\/span>high school<\/span> grad<\/span>, but that doesn\u2019t mean they should leave empty-handed. Hand out some<\/span> graduation party favors<\/a><\/strong> to guests as they leave to say thank you for being there.<\/span><\/p>\n Match your party favors to your theme or color scheme, or stick with something traditional \u2014 like a <\/span>grad<\/span> cap-shaped cookie or the guest of honor\u2019s favorite candies. Add a handwritten thank you note, or send a digital thank you card (like this<\/span> sweet thank you card<\/a><\/strong>) after the party with a personalized note.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s a <\/b>Trunk Party<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How to Plan a Fun <\/b>Trunk Party<\/b> in 9 Steps<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Trunk](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/graduate-student-packing-her-things.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n1. Choose a Date and Time<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Choose Your Venue<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Find the Perfect Trunk<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Consider a Theme<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Invite Your Party Guests<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Bold](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bold-Color-Grad-Invitation.jpg\")
6. Decorate Your Party Space<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Create a Party Playlist<\/b><\/h3>\n
8. Set Up a <\/b>Photobooth<\/b> Area<\/b><\/h3>\n
9. Hand Out Party Favors<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Made](\"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Made-My-Day-Card.jpg\")
Send Them Off in Style with These <\/b>Trunk Party Ideas<\/b><\/h2>\n