Planning a Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party
A "Sweet Sixteen" birthday party is a big event in a young girl's life, marking the moment she is on the threshold to womanhood. Parents often allow girls to start dating when they turn 16; girls also are eligible for a driver's license in most states, marking yet another turn toward adulthood. Birthday parties should be carefully planned and executed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Guest list
- Invitations
- Party decorations
- Food and drinks
- Music
- Birthday cake
- Guest book
- Camera
- Video camera
- Computer with DVD burner
Instructions
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Pick a theme. Popular suggestions include a spa day at a luxury hotel or day spa, a dance party in a local hotel ballroom with a professional deejay, a "This is Your Life" party in which you treat guests to a slide show of the birthday girl through the years, a mock "cocktail party" with elegant attire, or a 1980s-themed party styled after the movie "Sixteen Candles."
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Draw up a guest list, If it's a destination party such as a day at a spa, you might want to limit the number of guests in order to keep costs down.
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3
Book the venue if the party will take place somewhere outside your home. Depending on your plans, also remember to book a caterer, band, etc.
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4
Prepare and send out invitations. Match the theme of the party; you can even personalize invitations with a picture of the birthday girl through online sites such as Kodak Gallery. (See Resources for link.)
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Obtain the music. Teenagers can be very picky about their music, so consult with the guest of honor or her friends before you buy CDs, download the tunes or furnish the deejay with a suggested song list.
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Plan the menu. You want to tie the food and drinks into the theme. For example, if you are throwing a classy mock cocktail party, create non-alcoholic versions of classic drinks. If you are throwing a luau, serve Hawaiian food.
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Write down RSVPs as they come in so you have a final head count a few days before the party. This way, you can buy the right amount of food and drinks.
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Buy the party decorations, food and drinks, birthday cake and a guest book. This is a momentous occasion, so a guest book in which the birthday girl's friends all sign in is a must.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your camera, video camera and computer are all working. A nice finishing touch is a custom DVD for each guest, with a slide show and video clips from the party. Keep the birthday girl in the loop when it comes to planning. This is, after all, her day, and you want to make sure she's involved in picking the theme.
Have ample parental supervision, especially if boys are invited to the party as well as girls. Try not to be intrusive, but don't let things get out of hand.
