Sweet 16 Party Suggestions?

My daughter Gracie will turn 16 this September, and she has hinted (None too subtly) that she would like to have a Sweet 16 party. This wasn’t a tradition in my family, and I’ve never actually been to one. Has anyone else held one, and what did you do. I’m open to any and all suggestions.

I had a 16th birthday party, although I didn’t go so far as to call it a Sweet 16 party (that conjures up images of the over-the-top parties on My Super Sweet 16).  I invited both guys and girls, but the guys left at 10 or 11 and then the girls stayed for a sleepover.  By this point a birthday sleepover was kind of a tradition for me, so I didn’t want to give that up in the name of having a co-ed party.  I was also allowed to invite more people than I might have usually, in honor of the occasion.  I didn’t plan a lot of formal activities; we just had snacks, games and movies available.  I think a lot of it was making our own fun (which has its own bad side - one of my friends got in trouble with my mom for damaging a lawn ornament).

Hi Kelly! I never had a “sweet 16” but I always picture dancing when I picture Sweet 16 parties. Depending on your budget, you have a few options with this theme.

1.  If your budget is massive, ala the crazy tv show, you could rent the backroom of a restaurant or bar and grill for a small dance party. Have finger foods and punch, with a big cake and a great DJ.
2.  If your budget isn’t that big, call around to some local dance studios. I’m sure they offer private lessons for a fee—find out how much it would cost for your daughter and 3 of her closest friends to learn how to salsa and waltz (maybe an hour to two hour session?). Then take them out for dinner afterwards.
3.  A small budget can still result in a fun dance party. You can clear out a small area in your family room or basement for a dance floor and make a mix tape, making all the food yourself. Alternatively, if the party is more of a slumber party, you could rent dvds that teach fun dance moves, like a Dancing with the Stars dvd or the Dirty Dancing workout dvd.

I hope that helps!

Thanks Amy. Actually, the slumber party idea caught my interest. We have a Holiday Inn in the area that kind of specializes in overnight events. They have a pool, arcade and indoor Putt-Putt range. It’s like an indoor courtyard, and no one in the rooms that surround it plan on sleeping anyway. I had been thinking of a beach party since we live so close to Maumee Bay, but we went to a graduation party there for my niece last year, and severe storms rolled in and spoiled it. I’d hate to go to all that trouble only to wind up huddled under the shelter. So maybe a hotel slumber part is the way to go. Thanks!

I have never been to a sweet 16 party so I have no clue what’s involved or what’s particulary fun. I would suggest that you ask Gracie what she liked and disliked about sweet 16 parties that she may have already gone to. She may already have some ideas of what she would particularly like to do at her party! And, she will probably love being involved in the party planning.