A sweet 16 party is not only fun, but also marks a bittersweet moment for parents and their daughter. It is a time of remembrance as she passes through the doors of childhood on her way to becoming a young woman. For this reason, her party should be as special as possible, from the invitations to the cake. Does this Spark an idea?
Pick a Date
Choose a date for your daughter's party carefully. It will determine where you can hold the party, when you need to make reservations for rentals and entertainment, and a deadline for preparing and sending invitations. If your child's sweet 16 occurs in the summer months, you have the option of holding an outdoor celebration. If it lands during the fall or winter, you must make plans for an inside event if you live in a cool climate. Make sure it won't interfere with special school events such as prom or homecoming, events your daughter and her friends surely will want to attend.
Determine the Party Type and Venue
Consider your daughter and her tastes. Some 16-year-old girls prefer an all-out celebration, complete with the hottest DJ, the best photographer and a lengthy guest list. Others prefer a quiet family celebration at home with a handful of friends. Still others request a special dinner at a favorite restaurant with only parents and two or three close friends.
Decide on a Theme
Themes are most appropriate for large parties held at a hall or hotel. A theme can be based on her interests, school activities, some aspect of her personality or simply her preferences. For example, if your daughter is a cheerleader, consider a cheerleading theme. If you live in a state that permits driving at 16, make this your theme, with keychains as party favors. You also might plan the theme around her favorite vacation destination, such as Hawaii, and have a luau. Remember, her sweet 16 party is about her and is a celebration of who she is; her party needs to reflect this.
Design an Invitation
If the party is going to be large with a caterer and a theme, the invitations should state this. For instance, if your daughter has chosen a cheerleading party as her theme, the invitations could include a cheer as a way to invite the guests to the party. If she is permitted to drive, you could have invitations made to resemble a driver's license with your daughter's picture on the front. If the party is more low-key and to be held at your home, you can make your own invitations online and print them off yourself or purchase pre-made invitations from a store; include a picture of your daughter, captioned with "Sweet 16." If the sweet 16 party is a simple dinner with your daughter and two or three of her friends, she may not need or want to send invitations.
Determine the Menu
If you plan to use a caterer, compare menus and prices, and decide whether you will host a sit-down dinner or buffet-style meal. Alternatively, ask family members to bring a variety of dishes to the event if you're hosting the party in your home or at an outside location other than a restaurant. This helps save money, and the only extra expense you may incur may be table and chair rentals if you're holding the party at a park or in a backyard. You may require a tent, as well, in case of inclement weather.
Before finalizing the menu choices, check with your daughter and get her final approval. Most teenagers do not enjoy gourmet foods like quiche, lobster tails and shrimp cocktail. Be realistic about foods teenagers like; think along the lines of pizza, fries and burgers. Chips or similar snack items are a must. Place them in decorative bowls at each table for guests to munch while waiting for the main course to arrive.
Entertainment and Photographs
If you are having a large party for which you have rented a hall, reserve a DJ to provide entertainment. Ask your daughter to make a playlist of songs she and her friends enjoy to help the DJ plan ahead for the party. Hire a photographer for the event, or save some money by placing disposable cameras on each table, allowing guests to take photos. This will yield a variety of photos. If you're holding the party at your home, save money by setting up your own stereo and asking guests to bring a selection of CDs, or hook her mp3 player to your stereo. Involve your daughter in selecting music, while keeping in mind family members. For instance, Grandma Rose may not appreciate hip-hop. Balance the preferences of teens and older guests.
Decorations
Clusters of helium balloons that say "Sweet 16" or something similar are appropriate. Also, keep in mind the theme; if you have chosen a cheerleading party, place photos of your daughter in her cheerleading outfit around the party area, and use pom-poms as centerpieces. A balloon arch can frame an entrance nicely, and a life-size cutout of your daughter (which you can purchase online) is a fun addition. A photo collage of your daughter might include a picture from each year of her life, from birth to present.
The Cake
The cake is a very important aspect of the evening. For a photo cake, you simply provide the bakery with a picture of your daughter (or a collage of pictures). The baker then scans the picture so he can apply it to the cake. The picture is completely edible and adds a personalized touch.
Finishing Touches
Have a guest book waiting for guests as they walk into the party, no matter where you have chosen to have it. This is a wonderful memento for your 16-year-old that she can treasure for the rest of her life.
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