Sweet 16 Parties
From LoveToKnow Party
Sweet 16 parties are a fun tradition that celebrates a little girl’s transformation into a young lady.
History of the Sweet 16 Celebration
The significance of the Sweet 16 birthday celebration can be traced back to two different factors:
- Traditionally, teenagers can drive at age 16.
- In many states, 16 is considered the age of consent.
Sweet 16 parties have become a part of popular culture as well. In the 1984 movie Sixteen Candles, the lead character Samantha Baker is upset because her family has forgotten she wanted a party for her sixteenth birthday. Singer Hilary Duff recently recorded Sweet Sixteen, a song that celebrates the freedom of being a 16 year old girl. Billy Idol, Chuck Berry, and Neil Sedaka also have songs that reference a young girl’s sixteenth birthday as a special occasion.
Theme Ideas for Sweet 16 Parties
While there’s no rule that says Sweet 16 parties must have a theme, choosing one definitely sets the tone for your event. Whether simple or elaborate, themes give you a starting point to use for selecting your invitations, decorations, food, and party favors.
Masquerade Ball
For coed “Sweet 16” parties, a masquerade ball can be a wonderful theme. Ask your guests to come dressed in formal attire; girls can wear their old prom dresses and guys can either rent tuxes or come dressed in a nice suit. Have your guests decorate eye masks with feathers, foam stickers, glitter, and sequins. Decorate with white lights, candles, and an assortment of fresh flowers. Play a selection of your favorite dance music to set the mood. For food, serve either a formal dinner or an elegant buffet that includes fresh fruit with a chocolate fountain.
Hawaiian Pool Party
For Sweet 16 parties with style, nothing beats a fun Hawaiian theme! Ask your guests to wear Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts, and bathing suits. Decorate the pool area with tiki lights and fake palm trees. For party favors, distribute flower leis as your guests arrive. When it’s time to eat, treat your guests to a buffet that includes tropical fruit smoothies, macadamia nuts, and pineapple upside-down cake.
A Day at the Spa
For a party that just includes your female friends, spend the day at a spa to celebrate your sixteenth birthday. If you don’t live near a spa, or simply want to save some money, you can modify this idea to create a mini-spa experience at your own home. Purchase foot scrubs, body lotions, nail files, pumice stones, nail polish, face masks, and other pampering beauty supplies to take turns giving your friends manicures, pedicures, and facials. Serve mini sandwiches, an assortment of fresh fruit or vegetables, and sparkling water to drink.
Glamour Shots
Another fun “girls only” idea for your sixteenth birthday celebration involves taking your closest friends to a Glamour Shots photography session. You’ll enjoy a memorable afternoon with your friends and take home some cherished keepsakes. If you don’t have a Glamour Shots location near you, ask your friends to bring their own selection of costumes to your home. Give each other makeovers and have a relative with a digital camera take your photos.
My Super Sweet 16
As you’re planning your Sweet 16 party, try to keep the event in perspective. While it’s certainly an occasion worth celebrating, Sweet 16 parties shouldn’t be as elaborate as a wedding.
For examples of what not to do when planning your birthday celebration, check out the MTV reality show My Super Sweet 16. The wealthy teens featured on this television program have been widely criticized for their extravagance and self-centered behavior.
Comments
A great theme can make any party memorable. Check out Teen Party Themes for ideas, or any other article in the party themes category.
Planning your party around an activity can be fun and unique. I don't know what's popular in Bulgaria, Vicky, but whether you go to a movie, an all-ages dance club, or an arcade, spending an afternoon or evening with friends can be a great way to celebrate your birthday.
For one final idea, this may be a little too far out there, but in the U.S., April 22 is Earth Day. An Earth Day-themed party would surely be unique.
-- Contributed by: Lorie WitkopHey Tracy, I am Vicky and I am a pretty ordinary girl from Europe, Bulgaria. This year on 22 April I am turning 16 and all I wish is to have a great party. But you know what... I want it to be something different, something uncommon... but I have no ideas how to achieve this goal. Can you help me with some ideas? I would be really thankful if you do. Thank you in an advance With best wishes, Vicky (a girl who just wants to make this day a special one for herself and her friends) :):):)
-- Contributed by: VickyMariliz, when you say Sweet 15, do you mean that you're planning a Quinceañera? This site has several articles on this topic that may be helpful:
In regards to the Arabian Nights theme, the first thing that comes to mind is gauzy fabric. Draping it around the room will instantly set the atmosphere. You can use flying carpets, magic lamps, camels and palm trees as decorations (cardboard cut-outs or plastic replicas). Another idea is to create sitting areas of brightly-colored, beaded pillows.
If you'd like to incorporate larger set pieces in your decorations, prom decoration companies are a good source. You can purchase things like Arabian-style castle entrances or use the catalogs as inspiration for making your own from cardboard or plywood. Anderson's (www.andersonsprom.com) and Stumps (www.stumpsprom.com) are two popular companies.
-- Contributed by: Lorie WitkopThis page has been accessed 10,857 times. This page was last modified 04:41, 25 February 2008.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
