You only get one chance to have a sweet 16 party! Make it a special day to remember!
Planning a sweet 16 party can be extremely stressful. The days when a sponge cake and a few party games are over for your 16-year old.
Even so, you need to know how to throw a sweet 16 party which your teenage sweetheart deserves.
Let’s check out our guide to help you to learn how to plan a sweet 16 birthday party this year. Let’s go!
1. What’s Your Budget?
You probably won’t be able to afford to compete with Kylie Jenner’s $1,000 gift bags for guests. Even so, you need to determine how much you want to spend on your kid’s sixteenth birthday party.
If you’re handing down the responsibility to your birthday teen, you need to divvy up your budget. If you know your kid would delightfully bankrupt you to throw the best birthday party ever, then keep them away from your credit card.
2. Who’s Coming?
Your budget is inevitably influenced by how many people you’re expecting to invite. The more people on the guest list, the deeper you’ll need to dig into your pockets.
If you want a memorable affair, you may need to extend your guestlist to hundreds of kids. Remember, for every child you invite, you may also want to include an accompanying parent.
However, your daughter or son may prefer a small gathering of close friends and family rather than a huge birthday bash.
3. Where’s It Held?
You need to narrow down the location for your birthday party. This depends on the kind of party which you want to arrange.
For example, do you want a small get together in a spa and followed by a visit to a restaurant?
If you want a huge birthday celebration, make sure you plan for a location which can cater to all of your guests.
Venue booking is important before you announce the location of the party. Once you’ve received confirmation of the venue, you can send out an invitation.
4. When’s the Party?
The big question is whether you want to hold the party on the day of your kid’s birthday or on another date?
If the birthday falls around a holiday, such as Christmas, you may want to re-arrange the event for a more convenient date.
After you’ve decided which date and location, you need to send out an e-mail or social media message to urge guests to “save the date.”
5. Pick the Theme?
Your kid’s sixteen years old now. They may feel that they’re just too old now to celebrate the event with a theme. But, you never know!
Yet the opportunity to pick a theme which is particular to your teenager is something that should be grasped.
Does your teenager dream about moving to Paris? You could go for a Paris 1920s theme.
Does your daughter love zombie movies? This is an excuse to get your Halloween costume out twice this year.
Is your teenage son a Star Wars fan? This is the perfect opportunity to dress up as Darth Vader!
Even if you’re not going to choose a theme, you can simply personalize the party with a particular color code or style.
6. What’s to Eat?
If you’re going to include food for your guests, then you need to consider the catering arrangements as well.
You may only require snacks and treats. This largely depends on the time of the birthday party.
If you want to save money, you can also organize a pot-luck. This allows you to encourage guests to bring something for everyone to share together.
Remember, no sweet 16 party is complete with a fabulous birthday cake which is as delicious as it is gorgeous.
7. Music Matters
Teenagers love music! You need to decide whether you’re going to hire a DJ or determine your own music playlist.
Think carefully about which tunes will get people dancing and pulling the moves. Definitely, don’t nominate yourself as the DJ, since this is sure to cause embarrassment among the young guests.
8. Create the Invites
Now it’s time for the official invitation. You should leave plenty of time for your guests to confirm attendance and save the date.
You may want to go traditional with your invitations. Your teenage child can take them to school or college to give to friends.
Alternatively, social media or e-mail also works to get the word out about the exciting sweet 16 party coming up.
9. What’s the Order of Things
When your guests arrive at the party, everything is in your hands. You don’t want to be making it up as you go along.
When are you going to cut the birthday cake? When’s the music going to start?
You need to decide everything about the order of things before you go ahead with the celebrations.
10. The Alcohol Chat
Last but not list, you need to have a chat with your daughter or son about your expectations for the party.
Of course, the sweet 16 party is always a “coming of age” celebration. Nevertheless, alcohol remains illegal for people under the age of 21 years old.
How to Plan a Sweet 16 Party?
Now you know how to plan a sweet 16 party for your daughter or son.
It may take a lot of work to throw a party for your teenage kid. But, they will always be able to look back at this party to remember.
If you don’t know what to say to your sweet 16 birthday daughter on her special day, check out these birthday wishes ideas.
