How to Celebrate Graduation Without Drinking

A graduation party doesn't have to involve binge drinking. In fact, if you plan to invite people who don't drink for religious, social or recovery reasons, you might want to consider planning an alcohol-free celebration. When the focus is on another activity, people are less likely to miss or expect the booze. Here are five ideas for celebrating graduation that don't have to involve drinking.

Watch graduation themed movies.

This is a great idea for recent high school graduates or a small group of college friends. Watching classics like Dazed and Confused and With Honors will give you the perfect opportunity to reminisce and relax with your friends.

Play a non-sport.

For a larger group a people, a more structured activity will help everyone celebrate graduation together without drinking. Book a reservation to play Wallyball (like volleyball, but with padded walls) or go bowling. The activity should be one that is more about having a good time than about winning a game, and it should be something that Great Aunt Mary can do as easily as the captain of the football team.

Go camping.

For very little money, you can book a reservation to go camping at a state park. Get adjoining campsites for close friends and family, and spend a weekend swimming, hiking, fishing, and relaxing in the sun. State parks are by law alcohol-free, so it's a great way to party with underage relatives without leaving anyone out.

Throw a pool party.

Celebrate graduation by having a party at a local pool. If you or a relative lives in an apartment complex with a pool, you may be able to privately reserve it for a day. If not, a city pool will accommodate as many people as you show up with.

Make sure you know before you go what you can and can't bring to a pool. While drinking is usually banned at public pools, you may not be able to bring certain food items or glass containers, either.

Give a reading or performance.

You and your friends have worked hard for the last four years. Why not show off what you've learned? Stage a graduation reading for friends and family, and take turns reading from writing you've done, or reenacting scenes from your classes (both good and bad). Your relatives will be as pleased as when you put on that play in kindergarten, and it's a great way to occupy guests without drinking.