Sweet Sixteen Party Ideas
A Quick Guide to Sweet Sixteen Party Ideas
One of the most important birthdays for a child is their 16th so if you have a kid that is about to turn 16, you are probably in need of sweet sixteen party ideas. These parties are often held for girls, but you can also throw a great party for a son that is turning 16. The only thing that is important to remember when planning one of these parties is that most children will think of themselves as very grownup by the time they reach their sixteenth birthday.
Traditionally the 16th birthday is somewhat of a transitional day; it marks the passage from childhood to young adulthood and the party you throw for your teen should reflect this. The first thing you should do is talk to your son or daughter about the type of party they would like.
Along with discussing sweet sixteen party ideas with your teen, this is also the time to talk with them about subjects such as keeping the noise down during the party, as well appropriate behavior. After the real important subjects have been discussed, you can then talk with your teen about subjects such as the theme of the party and the guest list. The guest list should be created based on your teen’s preference, as well as the space you have available for the party.
Next you will need sweet sixteen party ideas and a location. Some ideas for a location could include the beach, or possibly a local bowling alley or pizza place. Some people even opt for decorating the backyard or a garage with a theme and provide a dance area.
Once you have the location and the date of the party set, you can then send out invitations. This should be done at least two weeks in advance. Next on your list of preparations should be the menu. These parties usually require a lot of food so if you don’t want to cook or go through the expense of hiring a caterer, your best option would be to order out for pizza. Always order more than what you think you will need; this is especially important for a boy’s party.
For entertainment you can hire a live band; this is a good option if there are no noise restrictions where the party will be, and if your son or daughter knows someone in a band that would be willing to play at the party. Another option would be to have your teen create a mix of their favorite music and put it on CDs. This will ensure that the kids are listening to the type of music that is appealing to them.
Lighting is also important for these birthday parties; kids like flashy lighting so a strobe light or disco ball light might be a great idea. Whatever you do, if there is going to be music and dancing, don’t make them ensure harsh, fluorescent lighting.
Keep in mind that this is a special birthday for your son or daughter so you will want to give them a special birthday cake. If you are not talented at making cakes, it is best to order one that is special made for the occasion.
Although you will want to be present during the party to supervise, make sure that you keep a low profile so you are not ruining your teen’s fun. There is nothing quite as embarrassing as having your mom or dad hanging over your head during a teen party.
Your teen will only have one 16th birthday party, so take some time and come up with some great sweet sixteen party ideas.