It’s bed party season for high school seniors. What started as a COVID-era trend, when traditional graduation parties were canceled, is now a full-blown college reveal with families and friends going all-in with merch and color-coordinated décor.
Last spring, Secaucus mom Lisamarie Tusa surprised her daughter Kaitlyn with a bed party to celebrate her commitment to High Point University in North Carolina. We’re sharing the stunning photos of the décor inspired by High Point’s purple and white colors and its mascot, Prowler the Panther.
The High Tech High School Culinary Arts graduate’s room was transformed into all things High Point University, complete with merch, balloon towers, custom lettering and a homemade cake and cookies.
Lisamarie says the setup was all about celebrating her daughter’s next chapter in a way that felt personal, joyful and full of love.
“I think my favorite standout detail was two, because I can’t choose one,” she says. “The cake that was made with love by my sister-in-law Loretta, and the gorgeous balloon towers from Balloon Athletics. My friend and colleague Liz spent her personal time to help me make the reveal perfect.”
Lisamarie used her Cricut to create the lettering on the cubes and balloons, while the balloons hanging from the ceiling were taped up after being blown up. Her friend Liz, who runs Balloon Athletics in Union City, helped create the balloon towers, and Kaitlyn’s friend Gianna brought extra purple goodies.
“Kaitlyn (who just wrapped her freshman year at HPU) was so surprised and she loved it all,” Lisamarie says. “She absolutely loved all her new merch from her new school. And it was perfect because she had a lot to choose from for Decision Day in May at school.”
Lisamarie’s tip for parents planning a bed party is to mix school merch with budget-friendly décor and finds within your color scheme from Amazon. She also bought some of the decorations from Hobby Lobby and put everything up herself. Family and friends can each buy a piece of merch or something in the color scheme to add to the spread.
“I just tried to keep to a color theme and filled it with love and was so excited for her to begin her next chapter.”
All photos courtesy of Lisamarie Tusa.
Have bed party photos and tips you want to share on njfamily.com? Email us at [email protected].
Read More:
Why Teens Need Communication Skills More Than Ever in the Age of AI
The Top 5 NJ Colleges Where Grads Earn the Most 10 Years Later, According to New Ranking
These 5 NJ High Schools Send the Most Grads to Harvard, Princeton & MIT
