Memorable Mementos: Creative Ideas for your Graduation Guest Book

Graduation is an exciting milestone in any student's life — and it's the perfect reason to throw a party, too. You'll probably take dozens of photos during grad day and the party that follows so that the graduate can always look back on the occasion.

But don't forget to ask everyone who comes to the party to sign a guest book, too — a graduation photo guest book makes an excellent gift for any graduate. Here are creative ideas for guest books that the grad will cherish forever.

Traditional guest books

Graduation guest books are traditionally blank hardcover books that grad party attendees write a message in and sign. Using a standard guest book is an effective way to record who attended the party so that the recent grad can send thank-you notes. It's also a keepsake that the graduate will keep for years to come.

You can buy a traditional graduation guest book or design a simple guest book on your own. It's easy to create a traditional-looking guest book with a custom cover using the blank canvas photo book template. You can also adapt one of these wedding guest book templates to match the graduation party theme.

Photo guest books

Recent grads love photo guest books because they combine memories of their school years or graduation photo shoot with well wishes from friends and family. To get started, gather photos of the graduate. Then, pick a photo book theme that suits the grad's style. You can add the photos to individual pages yourself or let Mixbook's Automagic Create tool do it for you.

It's easy to turn the graduation photo book that you made to celebrate a special student into a guestbook for the grad party. The only thing you need to do is ensure that there's blank space for guests to write in. You can:

• Leave some of the photo and sticker frames in your photo book blank OR
• Add several blank pages at the end of the photo book

Whichever method you choose, you'll have a stunning guest book in no time.

Scrapbook-style guest books

If you're celebrating a creative graduate, you might want to make a scrapbook with mementos like graduation invitations or tassels. Traditional scrapbooks are fun because you can include physical items that you can't add to a printed photo book, but they're also susceptible to damage. Photos might get bent, or keepsake items might come unglued and fall out.

Get the best of both traditional scrapbooking and modern photo books by creating a guest photo book with scrapbook elements. Ask guests to sign the book and add their own stickers or keepsakes like grad ceremony ticket stubs.

Guest books with well-wishes and advice

Send the new grad out into the world with some words of wisdom by creating a guest book focused on well-wishes and advice from friends and family. Start with a design like the graduation year in review photo book. Add blank pages at the end or scattered throughout the book so that guests can write words of advice and encouragement for the grad.

For a different approach, create custom note cards and ask guests to write their messages inside them. Put the finished cards in 5 x 7 photo sleeves in an album or three-ring binder. This is a great choice for graduates who will enjoy the tactile experience of opening and reading cards.

Interactive guests books

Add an element of fun to any graduation party with guest-centric activities. You can have all guests add a fingerprint to a fingerprint tree and sign it. Have the finished print framed and gift it to the graduate. You can also create a word search or crossword with all party attendees' names. Ask each guest to circle or fill in their name, then sign next to it.

You can also invite grad party guests to add their own memories and photos of the grad by making a digital scrapbook. Be sure to give the graduate the link to the online scrapbook so that they can enjoy it. You can also order a printed copy of the finished guest book as a gift for the student you're celebrating.

Guest books using custom art

Celebrate an artistic graduate by turning one of their creative works into a guest book. Choose the art or photo you want to use, then order a canvas print or custom poster. Ask guests to sign the canvas or poster before they leave the party. If you don't want the artwork covered in writing, simply ask your guests to sign on back.

You can also use a photo of the graduate in place of an original artwork. No matter the approach you take, the grad will love having a guest book that they can display on their wall.

Bonus idea: Have a photo booth for guests to help capture the perfect images

Photo booths are a staple at modern graduation parties. Gather themed props and ask guests to take pictures in the booth on their phones and send them to you. After the party is over, put all of the photos into a mobile-friendly photo book and send a link to party guests, and have a copy printed as a keepsake for the graduate.

You can even have guests add personalized messages. Just provide a small whiteboard and markers so that everyone can write a custom message to hold up in their photos.

Preserving and displaying a graduation guest book

Many graduates choose to display their guest books on their coffee tables or as wall art in their homes. Whether you make a guest photo book or have a canvas print made for the occasion, be sure to choose high-quality materials. This helps ensure that the grad can either display or store their guest book as a keepsake memento.

Creating graduation memories with Mixbook

Your graduation photo book should celebrate your achievements — and express your personality, too. Get started on your guest book and graduation photo goods today. It's easy to design graduation mementos, cards, and more with Mixbook.