Milestone Birthday Cards

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.

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