Sweet 16 Affordable Party Ideas

Turning 16 is one of the most important events in a young person's life. It is the one birthday party that your young adult will remember forever. Your teenager may want a caviar party, but you were thinking something more along the lines of a cheese and cracker gathering. It is possible to give your teenager the party of his or her dreams on a realistic budget.

Guest List

Your soon-to-be 16 year old may want to invite his entire class and every extended family member. Instead of inviting all of these people, keep the guest list to a small, intimate group of the teenager's closest friends and family. Keeping the guest list smaller will also give you the ability to hold the party at your home, or the home of a friend of family member that has more amenities, such as a pool or a game room.

Activities

Plan the activities around your child's interests and passions. For instance, if you have an athletic teenager, organize a touch football game or a basketball tournament at the local high school, or in your own back yard. A more artistic teenager may enjoy a karaoke party or build a makeshift stage in your yard and ask all of the guests to share his or her musical or comedic talents. Another inexpensive activity is having a bowling party. All you will need to pay for is the shoe rentals, and a few lanes for the guests to bowl on for the evening.

Food

Keep the menu simple and "kid-centric." Most teenagers enjoy finger foods such as pizza rolls, vegetables, fruit and dip and small sandwiches. A main course could be frozen pizzas, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill or a 6 foot ham and cheese sub. Skip the bakery and make the cake yourself. Head to your local craft store or baking supply store and locate a baking pan in the shape of your child's favorite musical instrument or keep it more traditional and decorate the cake with a number 16 shaped candle. The flavor of the cake should also be your child's preference.

Party Favors

The party favors can coincide with the general theme of the party. For instance, if you are throwing a spa party for your 16 year old girl and all of her female friends, give each of the guests a small manicure set with an emery board, a pair of nail clippers and a small bottle of nail polish. The friends of a 16 year old boy might enjoy a gift certificate for a free movie rental or a personalized key chain.

References

• Family Tips: Planning an Affordable Super Sweet Sixteenth Birthday Party
• Sweet Sixteen Help: Sweet Sixteen Ideas