Sweet 16 Summer Party Ideas
For their sweet sixteens, another simple slumber party or dinner and a movie at the mall with friends will not cut it. Teens often want to go all out with an unforgettable, over-the-top bash. During the summer months, consider some sweet sixteen party ideas that will be fun, extravagant and memorable for the birthday boy or girl. Does this Spark an idea?
Color Crew
Throw a color party for the teen and friends. For instance, a chic All-in-White Sweet Sixteen Celebration is a sophisticated theme for an almost-adult. Put out white flowers, balloons, streamers and other party decorations. Invite guests to dress in white and bring gifts wrapped in white. On the menu, have milk and cream soda, white bean dip with white corn chips, trays of white cheese cubes and white pizza. For a dessert way more sophisticated than a birthday cake, have a fountain of liquid white chocolate with pound cake cubes and strawberries for dipping. Or, use the teen's favorite color as inspiration: a Sweet Sixteen Red Revelry Celebration, Everything Green Gathering or Blue Bash.
Fun Fraud
Fake it! During the long days of summer, beat the hot weather blues with a Winter Party. Crank up the air-conditioning for a few hours. Decorate the room with fake snowdrifts (cotton balls work great for this effect; sprinkle on some glitter or sequins for a snow effect), toboggans, skis, greenery and branches covered in faux snow and winter-themed party d cor in blue, silver and white. Use a mix of white and blue lightbulbs to cast a wintry glow. In lieu of a real bar, have a hot chocolate bar or coffee bar with choice of milks, flavorings and toppings, complete with bartenders. Serve winter foods: a hearty beef stew and salad and fresh-baked bread, or baked ham or turkey with all the sides and fixings. The birthday cake could look like a big snowflake or a s'more.
Island Life
Another fun summer party idea, especially for an outdoor venue or pool party, is a Sweet Sixteen Hawaiian Luau. Blast some island music and popular summer songs and decorate with plastic palm trees, surfboards, tiki d cor, beach chairs, large and colorful umbrellas and beach balls. Invite your teen's guests to dress down in flip-flops, shorts and tank tops. Upon their arrival, hand out leis for them to wear and set up activities such as water balloon toss volleyball, hula hoops, Ping-Pong, limbo and coconut decorating. For drinks, serve mango juice or pineapple punch, and for dinner, serve authentic luau fare: vegetable stir fry, pork fried rice, barbecued shrimp and steak. For the birthday cake, make a big pineapple upside-down cake and serve with refreshing pineapple sherbet.
Tags: birthday cake, guests dress, Summer Party, Summer Party Ideas, Sweet Sixteen, Sweet Summer