Sweet 16 Party Check-Off List
A girl's Sweet 16 party can be a casual get-together or a black tie affair. It can be an intimate gathering of a few close friends, or a blowout party with hundreds of guests. As a parent, you need to know what you are in for, so you and your daughter will be in agreement at every step of the planning process. Does this Spark an idea?
Supplies
Supplies include tables, chairs, plates, glasses, napkins, flatware and decorations such as centerpieces, signs and favors. Pick a party theme that would appeal to your 16-year-old, such as Under the Sea or Oscar Night, to make it easier to find decorations.
Venue
Once you set the date, decide where you are going to host the party. Is it going to be at your home in the basement or backyard? Would a local community center or an outdoor picnic area be better? The party-planning website Purple Trail Party Ideas suggests taking your daughter and her friends to a spa, restaurant or amusement park as an alternative to a traditional party. If the location requires a booking, make and confirm reservations before making up the invitations.
Music
If you plan on having music for dancing, decide how you would like to set it up. If hiring a disc jockey or live band, make your choice as early as possible. Ask other parents who may have already hosted a Sweet 16 party, or search the Internet for local DJs and bands and make some calls to compare availability, rates, available music, etc. Alternatively, create a playlist on a computer or an iPod, making sure you have the appropriate technology and sound system to play it at the party. Most electronics stores will sell speakers that can be connected to an iPod.
Chaperones
Arrange for a few adults to be present if the party is just for teens, to supervise the guests and make sure things don't get out of hand. The more teenagers your daughter invites, the more chaperones you will want. Aim for one chaperone for every ten guests. Mention on the invitations that chaperones will be present, to give parents peace of mind.
If you are hosting a family-oriented Sweet 16 party, with a mix of friends and family members, you may not need to arrange for chaperones.
Invitations
Decide on a limit of how many people you will invite. Discuss it with your daughter, and together, create a guest list. Make up the invitations, which should include the theme, date, location, time and R.S.V.P. details. Send them out at least four weeks prior to the party. If you have the invitations professionally printed, place your order a minimum of three weeks before you need to send them out, in case any errors need to be corrected. If you wish, make your own invitations at home, using cardstock and craft supplies from a local craft shop, or buy blank invitation cards.
Food
Make arrangements for feeding the crowd, whether you provide the food yourself or hire a caterer. Will it be a sit-down meal or a casual, finger-food buffet? Will there be a cake or a variety of desserts? Are you making punch or serving soft drinks? These decisions must be made in the early planning stages of the party. If you're doing the work, make a list of what you'll need and another list of when you need to do each task. Recruit family member and friends to help so you don't feel overwhelmed.
Games
Games are a fun part of the party. They can add laughter and memories that will last a lifetime.
Have two people stand back-to-back. Each will hold a fishing pole with an unwrapped candy bar tied to the end of each line. Each player then tries to eat the candy bar from the other person's fishing line. The first to finish wins.
Another fun game involves a little dressing up. Find many large and extra large male and female clothes. You want them to include underwear, hats, shoes--a good variety. Make sure there is an even amount of clothes, mix them up and put them in a pile or a laundry basket. Divide your guests into couples. The girl must put on the boy's clothing, and the guy needs to put on the girl's clothing. Use a stop watch to time each couple on how fast they can get dressed and cross a finish line. To ease parents' concerns, the game clothes should be put on top of the kids' own clothes.
Miscellaneous
Remember to charge up your digital camera before the party, so you can take plenty of photos of this memorable event. If you plan to give out party favors like t-shirts, hats or noisemakers, have them organized before the day of the party. Finally, help your daughter pick out an outfit at least two weeks before the party. It should be something both of you are comfortable with her wearing, but most of all, she should be happy with it.
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