In anticipation of my 16th birthday, I held out a wee bit of hope that my friends would throw me a surprise party, or that maybe, just maybe, my parents would hand me the keys to my very own brand new car (okay, that was just plain delusional, but a girl can dream, can’t she?). My 16th birthday was certainly a memorable one, but hold your horses if you think it was because I celebrated in style or took a new convertible out for a spin. Alas, neither happened. Instead, I was housebound – a tragic birthday girl victim to a Midwestern ice storm that Mother Nature was more than happy to dole out in honor of my special day. My mom apologized for not having the ingredients for a birthday cake on hand, and instead we sat down for a game of Scrabble™ while the winter winds whipped outside.
Believe me when I say that it’s probably not every girl’s dream to ring in her 16th birthday with a triple word score (although looking back, I SO nailed it with “quince”!). The occasion certainly calls for a bit more fancy and fun.
Sweet 16 parties can be just a mere step above your average birthday party, or they can be an all-out extravaganza, complete with a hall, catered food, band, photographer, limo, floral arrangements and other accoutrements befitting a gala wedding (sans the groom, of course). In some areas, Sweet 16 parties are a social must for young ladies. In other regions of the country, they are simply becoming a wonderfully fun reason to celebrate your young lady. These parties have grown in popularity, in size, and in cost. Parents are going to great lengths to commemorate their daughters with these coming-of-age soirees.
Some girls are opting to live it up with their gal pals, hitting the spa together, having elaborate sleepovers, or employing fun and fanciful themes to ring in their sixteenth birthday, while others are choosing to invite the girls and the boys to parties that run the gamut of small scale all the way up to formal affairs held in swanky settings.
Depending on your bank account, the sky is the limit. Some lucky lasses have parents who are willing (and financially capable, I might add) to hire one or more of the music industry’s hottest singers or acts to perform. Feeling like appeasing the palates of your super sixteenager and her friends? By all means, feel free to hire one of the nation’s top chefs to come to your event and create a culinary masterpiece to delight her and her guests. Planning on ordering her a cake befitting its very own episode of a Food Network cake show? Have at it!
If that’s a bit out of your budget (as I’m guessing it would be for the majority, so no need to fret!), it’s certainly doable to make your young lady feel special without breaking the bank and blowing her college savings. Teenage girls (and guys) love food, music and socializing. Throw those together with a unique (and affordable) theme, and you’re sure to have a winner of a party.
Set a budget, establish some ground rules (such as no alcohol or a guest list limit), and assist your teenager with brainstorming options for themes, party decorations, venues, food, etc. There’s sure to be a perfect Sweet 16 party plan right up her alley.
So what themes would have struck my fancy had I had the privilege of a Sweet 16 party back in the day? Some of my personal favs are:
Hawaiian Luau Sweet 16 – Hula contest, anyone? Virgin fruity, tropical drinks (topped off with umbrellas, of course!), tiki torches, and grass skirts will have everyone in the mood to try their luck at the limbo.
Totally ‘80s Sweet 16 – a totally tubular party theme, dude! Requirements: big hair, acid washed jeans, slap bracelets, and of course, plenty of radical ‘80s music to get people dancing.
Masquerade Ball Sweet 16 – a formal affair for both the young ladies and young gentlemen. Gowns, suits and ties, and whimsical masquerade masks are a must.
Sweet 16 Mardi Gras Style – a celebration including jazz music, beads, hats, masks, and decorations aplenty in purple, green and gold.
Alice in Wonderland –why not celebrate with a whimsical tea party with mismatched teacups and saucers, a topsy-turvy mad hatter cake, a game of life-sized chess or croquet? Invitations should urge your guests to not be late for this very important date!
The internet is a font of Sweet 16 party theme knowledge, so be sure to do some surfing for unique and fabulous ideas. Then again, I’m sure there’s something to be said about hosting “My Super Sweet 16 Scrabble Party”!
Believe me when I say that it’s probably not every girl’s dream to ring in her 16th birthday with a triple word score (although looking back, I SO nailed it with “quince”!). The occasion certainly calls for a bit more fancy and fun.
Sweet 16 parties can be just a mere step above your average birthday party, or they can be an all-out extravaganza, complete with a hall, catered food, band, photographer, limo, floral arrangements and other accoutrements befitting a gala wedding (sans the groom, of course). In some areas, Sweet 16 parties are a social must for young ladies. In other regions of the country, they are simply becoming a wonderfully fun reason to celebrate your young lady. These parties have grown in popularity, in size, and in cost. Parents are going to great lengths to commemorate their daughters with these coming-of-age soirees.
Some girls are opting to live it up with their gal pals, hitting the spa together, having elaborate sleepovers, or employing fun and fanciful themes to ring in their sixteenth birthday, while others are choosing to invite the girls and the boys to parties that run the gamut of small scale all the way up to formal affairs held in swanky settings.
Depending on your bank account, the sky is the limit. Some lucky lasses have parents who are willing (and financially capable, I might add) to hire one or more of the music industry’s hottest singers or acts to perform. Feeling like appeasing the palates of your super sixteenager and her friends? By all means, feel free to hire one of the nation’s top chefs to come to your event and create a culinary masterpiece to delight her and her guests. Planning on ordering her a cake befitting its very own episode of a Food Network cake show? Have at it!
If that’s a bit out of your budget (as I’m guessing it would be for the majority, so no need to fret!), it’s certainly doable to make your young lady feel special without breaking the bank and blowing her college savings. Teenage girls (and guys) love food, music and socializing. Throw those together with a unique (and affordable) theme, and you’re sure to have a winner of a party.
Set a budget, establish some ground rules (such as no alcohol or a guest list limit), and assist your teenager with brainstorming options for themes, party decorations, venues, food, etc. There’s sure to be a perfect Sweet 16 party plan right up her alley.
So what themes would have struck my fancy had I had the privilege of a Sweet 16 party back in the day? Some of my personal favs are:
Hawaiian Luau Sweet 16 – Hula contest, anyone? Virgin fruity, tropical drinks (topped off with umbrellas, of course!), tiki torches, and grass skirts will have everyone in the mood to try their luck at the limbo.
Totally ‘80s Sweet 16 – a totally tubular party theme, dude! Requirements: big hair, acid washed jeans, slap bracelets, and of course, plenty of radical ‘80s music to get people dancing.
Masquerade Ball Sweet 16 – a formal affair for both the young ladies and young gentlemen. Gowns, suits and ties, and whimsical masquerade masks are a must.
Sweet 16 Mardi Gras Style – a celebration including jazz music, beads, hats, masks, and decorations aplenty in purple, green and gold.
Alice in Wonderland –why not celebrate with a whimsical tea party with mismatched teacups and saucers, a topsy-turvy mad hatter cake, a game of life-sized chess or croquet? Invitations should urge your guests to not be late for this very important date!
The internet is a font of Sweet 16 party theme knowledge, so be sure to do some surfing for unique and fabulous ideas. Then again, I’m sure there’s something to be said about hosting “My Super Sweet 16 Scrabble Party”!
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