How to Plan a Menu for a Sweet Sixteen Party
The best parties feature food that is perfectly suited to the party's spirit and theme. Not only should your sweet sixteen party menu taste good and look good, it should be an extension of the mood you are trying to set for your big event. Plan your menu with your party's theme in mind and your guests will remember this celebration for years to come. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a Menu Scheme
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Use your party's overall budget to help determine what kind of menu you should serve. A smaller budget is better suited to a more casual menu than to a formal sit-down service.
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Plan a casual menu by selecting buffet-style food items such as sandwich platters, salads and chips. Your guests can help themselves to whatever they fancy while you keep your budget in check by preparing many of the items yourself.
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Create a more formal menu on a budget by planning a "cocktail" reception for your sweet sixteen. Though you may not have an open bar for this event, you can choose four to five appetizers that are traditionally served at cocktail parties without feeding everyone a full meal.
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Hire a catering company to supply your guests with a more formal buffet-style dinner. This menu would include a combination of hot dishes and carving stations served with side dishes and preceded by cocktail-hour hors d'oeuvres.
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Budget more for a formal three-course meal served to each guest. This is the most formal of menus for a sweet sixteen party, requiring the additional help of a trained caterer and waiters to serve your guests.
Add Flavor to Your Menu
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Design dishes that reflect the season in which your party will be held. If your sweet sixteen falls in the month of October, you might plan a "spooky" menu featuring creepy finger sandwiches and other ghoulish treats.
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Incorporate dishes that make a statement about the things you care about. Creating an entirely vegetarian or eco-friendly meal is not only a delicious idea but one that is good for the planet as well.
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Use your party's color scheme to infuse your menu with personality. From serving dishes and garnishes to the food itself, you can coordinate any menu to reflect your use of color throughout the event.
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Tips & Warnings
Poll your guests for any potential food allergies, such as nuts or seafood. If you don't have access to this information, carefully label dishes that contain these food items so your evening will not be disrupted by an unplanned trip to the ER.
