My daughter will be 16 soon and I don't know what to do for her birthday.
By bigdaddyR from Berwick, PA
For my sweet 16, which was some years back, I had a dinner party. We went out to my favorite restaurant and had a few close friends and family there. We all dressed up and then just had a little party back at my house. It all depends on what she's into; favorite colors, favorite things to do, etc.
By Auniee
A birthstone ring is a very good idea. Good luck. (05/27/2010)
Think of a theme and plan from there, for example a fiesta. The food is easy, decorations bright and colorful. Or a luau. You could get fun light-up leis for party favors and maybe do the limbo or something fun. We did one for my daughter's birthday.
You can see how we did it in our album which you can access through my profile. We show how we did the luau. I made up a game called "Bob the Volcano" and made a volcano shape over a bucket of water and the kids bobbed the volcano for apples. I wasn't sure if they would think it was lame, but they loved it and they were about that age. So if you can think of a fun theme, it will help get you ideas for planning your party. (05/27/2010)
By Amy3e
I had the best 16th ever! My parents planned a total surprise party for me. I had no idea they did it at all. If you trust her friends not to spill, ask them for help; they'll know how to have fun. :) (05/27/2010)
By sofia
If your teen is into sports you might consider a camping party with some of her girl friends. Take them to a campground where they have canoes, tennis, swimming etc. and plan a fun camp dinner complete with a special cake. Be sure to take lots of pics whatever you do and have her help with a scrapbook afterward. :) (05/28/2010)
By susan
Hello,
When I turned 16 (many many yrs ago, lol) I received a gift from my aunt. She wrapped it in pink ribbon and at the end of each ribbon she attached a sugar cube, yes, there were 16 pieces of pink ribbon. There you have a Sweet 16 wrapping. It was adorable and brought many comments. Happy Birthday to her. (05/28/2010)
By Sherri
I'm thinking of a spoof on a southern belle "coming out" party. Get silly big hats from thrift stores and buy cheap feather boas from a party store for the girls to wear. Tell the guests to "dress to impress." Your daughter should wear all white. All the other girls get any other colors in the hats and boas.
The Menu:
Serve white tea with mint leaves and simple syrup in a punch bowl (kind of like a mint-julep), and maybe a peach tea (float frozen canned peaches in it) or a raspberry lemonade in another bowl.
Finger sandwiches (think tuna salad, chicken salad, cream cheese and diced cucumber tossed in a vinaigrette dressing) (all on white and wheat bread, crust cut off, cut in triangles).
Buy pretzel sticks and dip halfway in melted white and milk chocolate. Display chocolate side up in a small vase or large mason jar tied with a ribbon (like a bouquet). Have a couple bowls of nuts and candies out as well.
Buy or make a half sheet cake and a quarter sheet cake and sit the quarter on top of the half. (Tiered cake look for much less than buying a tiered cake and it should hold up with just one layer.)
Buy cases of mason jars (no lids needed) and have your daughter decorate the rims with ribbon. These will be the glasses for the teas and favors for everyone to take home. If you want to put out some fresh flowers, the mason jars work to hold these as well.
DJ yourself (or get a friend) with an ipod and boom box. Have her best friend(s) toast to her birthday. Play classical music during lunch. Do gift opening. Then start up the party music (her favorite stuff). Announce and have her cut the cake during a break from party music. Announce a last dance to wrap things up (perhaps a group hug while dancing kinda deal). Fun and silly.
Choose a color for all the paper plates and napkins, paper table cloths on the buffet/punch tables. A single color repeated makes a powerful statement, without a lot of cost.
All of this could be set up in a back yard with a deck as the dance floor. Or rent a small, cheap pavilion at your local state or county park. (05/28/2010)
By Laura
Maybe have a "black and white party" where everyone wears black and white; cake black and white, etc. The pictures come out great by the way! It's kind of a "sophisticated" theme for a party and the sixteen year olds may feel they're being treated as adults.
Then you can add all of your color in the food you serve, maybe. Or maybe you could make it a really dressed up party and have the girls wear long gowns. Boys, no tuxedos, but maybe just a nice button down shirt.
These are sketchy suggestions from me; I didn't have a sweet sixteen party, but the black and white theme was used for my step-son's engagement party and everyone had a blast. Good luck! (05/28/2010)
By metroplex
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