Here’s a question from my reader Lauren:
Hello, I was wondering if you could ask the readers about ideas for Sweet 16 parties? I have one coming up in about 6 months and have no idea what to do. We’re not really into to big parties and really don’t want to spend a fortune.
Sock Hop! Hamburgers and Chocolate malts…poodle skirts and penny loafers!
I planned My sisters sweet 16 in a december month. We has a Hollywood theme every one dressed up, ny sister wore a similar dress as Marilyn Monroe, cost $10 in the thrift Store. Bought a wig for $5 during halloween time. Each guest got agrammy award thing as a gift , oriental trading. Made our Own decorations gold stars and bright red, if your interested in more details just email me. Every has a blast
For my Sweet 16, my mom rented out a small building at the local golf club. My Best Friend and her mom made my cake (gorgeous 3 layer purple, black, and white cake), the golf club provided some small snack foods (it was a late party, I decided against a large, expensive meal), and we rented a local just-starting-out DJ who offered some pretty great prices and music. Granted, this was a very small, low-key party, only consisting of a total of roughly 10 people, excluding myself, but that’s exactly what I wanted. The best part about my party was defintely the fact I made it a joint surprise party for one of my fellow trumpet players. Participating in marching band with an October Birthday always, ment I would have to post pone my Birthday party until November. It happened to be by coincidence, I planned my party for one of my friend’s 18th Birthdays…so I secretly got my Best Friend to make another cake, just for him, gave him acouple presents (Nerf guns, to be exact. That was pretty great too. Running around shooting people with Nerf Guns with music going and strobe lights and what not) and surprised him with his own mini-celebration. It was so unexpected, that was by far what made my night.
I suggest asking around to see what you can ‘trade’ for, My mom offered to take pictures for my Best Friend’s Sweet 16 in exchange for the cake, we got a good deal on the building d/t off season and a small group of non-rowdy teenagers. Decorations were all either made or bought very cheaply, balloons blown up ourselves, ect.
Inexpensive ideas, we have done scavenger hunts around the town, including asking various strangers any advice they would give a person (bride to be, birthday girl, etc.) Photos of a group member pumping someone’s gas or taking an order at a fast food resturant…. There is a website (Google scavenger hunts) that has ideas or pre-composed list for various occasions.
It all depends on what the kid is in to. But you could do all sorts of stuff, like candyland theme and have the party glammed up with different colors and candy buffets. You could go all Hollywood with it too. You have so many options, talk to the child and see what they like.
For my sons 13th birthday we set up our own photo booth. We hung a back drop & had props (big sunglasses, boas, mustaches on sticks, funny hats, etc…) for the kids to use. We had it open from ?-? and then ?-? (that way one person is not just sitting there all night) The kids had a blast getting pictures taken with their friends. We then gave everyone a cd of the pictures they were in. I saw this site (for weddings) and adapted the idea from there http://www.since1910.com/DIY-wedding-booth.aspx
Pinerest has some really cool ideas for a S’more bars….they took a long outdoor planter, filled it with rocks & put the small Sterno gel canned flames(you can get them at Walmart by the wedding stuff) into the pot & you can roast marshmallows over it. Here is the link, http://www.weddingbells.ca/blogs/real-weddings/2012/06/06/a-gorgeous-garden-party-wedding-in-halton-hills-ontario/attachment/garden-wedding-30/
A cupcake bar is also really fun! Just have plain frosted cupcakes with different topping like sprinkles, Oreo crumbles, chopped peanuts, etc…
A limo picked me and my friends up from school on my 16th party. :) We got so much attention and it was a blast. The whole school got to see it in the pick up line and WE were the ones to get in it. :D
We did a mardi gras theme. Got everything from Oriental trading factory. It’s cheap and you can go through Ebates and make more money.
I don’t have a specific theme idea, but I did want to add that the dollar store is the place to go for plates/table cloths/napkins, etc. I’m having a birthday party for my daughter tomorrow and the other day I went to a party store and picked up 1 pack of plates and 2 packs of bowls and the total was $11. I was gonig to the dollar store to get the table cloths and noticed they had the EXACT SAME plates and bowls there. So I bought 2 packs of bowls, 2 packs of plates and 4 table cloths for $8!
So definitely look there for your supplies!
My bday is in December and my mom threw me a cheap/fun party when I turned 16. She made a big batch of pizza dough and divided it up with everyone. We made our own pizza on the grill and it was really yummy! After we had cake. Later we made our own s’mores on the firepit and that was a hit! The boys left and the girls spent the night. At midnight my mom made a hot chocolate bar on the table. She put out hot chocolate and different garnishes. Most of it was stuff my mom already had like peppermint, cookies, etc. It was really fun!
I just did a New York themed party for my daughter this summer, but in December, you have Christmas lights, to brighten the Big Apple. Go to an appliance store & get old fridge boxes and paint them black to look like buildings. Cut out some holes for windows(you can then cover the holes with yellow tissue paper) and put lights in them. It will look awesome. You could do karaoke or just have music. Of course you will need to serve hotdogs and pizza, soft pretzels or maybe bagels. With a little imagination, it will be easy & affordable!!:) Oh, and serve non alcoholic manhattans! Equal parts orange juice & cranberry juice & add the juice from maraschino cherries. Serve the remaining cherries in there glasses to dress it up. Let us know what you decide. Good luck!!!!
When my daughter and I were planning her party (which she decided to cancel in the end), I called a couple of the local hotels with indoor pools in my area. Her birthday is in November, so outdoors was totally out of the question. As we were in the off-season, they quoted me a cost of less than $100. Better cheap customers than none at all, I guess. I’d planned on fruit and veggie platters, tropical themed meats, Hawaiian rolls, and birthday cupcakes (easy do-ahead foods). Pool accessories would have included rubber ducks, inflatable beach balls, and either leis or Mardi Gras beads, all of which could be picked up pretty cheaply, especially at end-of-summer clearance sales.
How about a tropical pool party. Check with a local hotel and see if you can rent its pool for several hours for the exclusive use of the birthday girl and her friends (make sure to ask about numbers allowed). The guest of honor and a few select friends can stay in a suite for the night (perhaps mani/pedi/spa too?). For the pool party itself, get lots of inexpensive tropical decorations from Oriental Trading. Don’t forget the rubber ducks. You can have food delivered or make it yourself. I’d suggest simple, make-ahead finger foods that go with an islands theme.
I forgot to mention. The party will be in December.