| Any birthday is special, but a Sweet 16 celebration | | | | home, stick with the theme by choosing the young |
| marks a landmark birthday that ushers a young lady | | | | lady's favorite movie and decorating your home to |
| through the door to womanhood. That's why it should | | | | reflect scenes from the movie. Encourage your |
| be a well-organized and enjoyable event for all, | | | | Sweet 16 party guests to dress the part! |
| especially for the guest of honor, so here are some | | | | If you live near a city with a lively theatrical community, |
| Sweet 16 party ideas to get your creative juices | | | | consider buying tickets to a play or musical for her and |
| flowing. | | | | a close friend or two (theater tickets can be costly so |
| Once you've decided to throw a party for the teen | | | | the guest list should be limited). While in the city, book |
| who's celebrating her special day, you'll want to take | | | | dinner at a fancy restaurant and remember to order a |
| some time to decide the best kind of party for the | | | | birthday cake in advance. |
| birthday girl. Sweet 16 party ideas are plentiful, but | | | | Some party organizers prefer to plan their party |
| choosing the right one for your daughter | | | | around the food they wish to serve. If you love |
| (granddaughter, niece, etc.) takes some thinking. Of | | | | Mexican, have a Sweet 16 Fiesta. Use colorful |
| course, at 16, the honoree is old enough to have a | | | | decorations and offer your guests make-your-own |
| substantial amount of input in determining the kind of | | | | tacos and burritos, non-alcoholic margaritas, and plenty |
| party to be held in her honor. Unless she's paying for it, | | | | of chips and salsa. If the birthday girl loves Chinese, |
| however, the individuals throwing the party should have | | | | Japanese, or other Asian cuisines, decorate |
| the last say on specifics and the costs involved in the | | | | appropriately, serve a variety of Eastern foods and |
| celebration. | | | | remember to include tea and fortune cookies. If |
| In recent years, several themes have emerged as | | | | Hawaiian food floats your boat, organize a luau. Serve |
| among the most popular. For example, many teens | | | | your version of Hawaiian foods, decorate with leis, |
| base their parties on their favorite music and karaoke | | | | pineapples, and tiki torches, and offer hula lessons to |
| parties have become quite popular. If you don't mind | | | | your guests. |
| the noise, karaoke can keep teens entertained for | | | | If you can't decide which theme to choose, consider |
| hours. Also, the great thing about karaoke is that it | | | | something old-fashioned, like a masquerade party. |
| accommodates all styles of music, from Pop to Rock | | | | Have your guests dress up like their favorite person or |
| to Broadway show tunes. Party-goers can videotape | | | | character and make a game of guessing who's who. |
| their performances to enjoy later. | | | | If you still can't decide a direction for your party, take a |
| If the young lady is a movie fan, try a "chick flick party" | | | | cue from the season of the year. Summer |
| for the birthday girl and her female friends. Include | | | | celebrations can include barbecues or pool parties, |
| popcorn and soft drinks and organize movie-themed | | | | spring parties might take on a butterfly theme, and |
| favor bags, including a gift card for another upcoming | | | | winter festivities can include fun activities like skating or |
| movie. If you want to continue the party when you get | | | | sledding. |