US Citizenship Celebration Party: Ideas, Timing and Rentals

Becoming a US citizen is the end of a long process, and many families want to mark it. In Chicago, that often means a table full of relatives who came from different places: a family from Pilsen or Little Village, from Devon Avenue or Argyle Street, from Albany Park, Avondale or Jefferson Park. Each home has its own way to celebrate. This guide helps with the practical side: when to plan, how to decorate, what to serve and what to rent.

There is no single right way to do this. Some families keep it to a lunch after the ceremony. Some hold a full party at a banquet hall or in the backyard. Use what fits your people.

Start with the date

The date of the oath ceremony is set by the immigration office, not by you. The notice can come with limited time before the date, and the date can change. So plan in two steps.

Before the notice. Choose where you would hold it, such as a home, a backyard, a hall or a restaurant room. Ask a rental company what the lead time is for the items you want. Keep your plan simple until the date is certain. See how far ahead to book each rental.

After the notice. Confirm the date with the people who matter most, and then send a message to the rest. Ask your rental company what the deposit and date-change terms are. The date-change policy guide explains what to look for.

Oath day. A ceremony can fall on a weekday and take up part of the day. A party the same evening works if people can travel. A lunch or a party the next weekend is easier on guests who come from out of town.

Decorating with flag colors

Red, white and blue is the starting point, and it is easy to do without a theme that looks like the Fourth of July.

• Linens: white cloths with a red or navy runner, or navy cloths with white napkins. See linens and the tablecloth size chart.
• Flags: a few small US flags on tables, or a larger flag behind a photo area.
• Two flags together: many families add the flag or colors of their home country. If there are guests from several countries, a row of small flags on a long table can honor them all. Ask the guest of honor what they want first.
• Flowers and balloons: in the colors, kept simple.
• A photo spot: a plain backdrop and a place to hold the certificate or small flag. See decor rentals and photo booths.

Treat real flags with care. The US flag code asks that the flag not be worn as clothing or used as drapery. Small flags on stands and decor in the flag colors are better for tables than a flag laid flat.

Food from home and food from here

For many people, the first thing they want at this party is a dish from home. Food is how the family says where they come from. Plan for both.

• A home-country menu: whatever the family cooks for a big day. A caterer, a restaurant in the neighborhood or relatives can all help.
• An American touch: burgers, a sheet cake with a flag, apple pie, or a cookout menu in the summer. Some families pick this as a joke, and some as a first. It is up to you.
• Serving gear: chafing dishes, warmers, serving spoons and tongs help a home cook feed 50 people. See catering equipment and food station ideas and equipment.
• Dietary rules: halal, kosher, vegetarian and other needs differ by family. Label the dishes.

Seating family from many places

Large families bring older relatives, small kids and people who traveled a long way. Plan for them.

Seat elders near the entrance and the restrooms, and give relatives who have not met a table to mix. Seating chart planner helps if you have to balance several family groups. See also how many chairs do I need.

What most hosts find out too late

• The date can move. A ceremony may be set or changed with short notice. Ask for a date-change clause and keep the deposit low until the date is firm.
• Weather matters more than you think. A party on a Tuesday in November is different from one in July. Chicago has lake-effect wind and cold Novembers. A tent and heaters, or an indoor space, are worth a plan. See outdoor event weather plan.
• Count out-of-town guests twice. Relatives often confirm late. Order a few extra chairs and don't set the number until a week before.

Small touches that mean a lot

• A place card with the person's name and the date.
• A short toast in the language of the family, and one in English.
• A table for photos from the years leading here: the first day in Chicago, the first job, the family together.
• A guest book where friends can write a note.

For ideas on cost, see how to save money on event rentals. For other occasion ideas, look at birthday party rentals and the party planning posts.

Plan the celebration

Book a free 15-minute planning call and we will check the date with the rental companies and go through your list, or get a quote when you have a date and a count.