Sweet Sixteen Party

[TracyR]

I've never done a BIG party for my kids. But, I'm planning a surprise sweet sixteen party for my daughter. I've rented a banquet room for up to 80 people and booked a DJ. Food is taken care of.

But, I'm running out of time (party is March 12th) and can't come up with a theme and have no idea how I'm going to decorate.

Any ideas???

[ILmomtobe]

If it's both boys and girls, which I should imagine it is, I wouldn't go to heavy on theme. Go to the party store and check out streamers and whatnot in her favorite color. Add silver ones as accents, and you're good. If you REALLY want a high amusement factor for yourself, contact the parents of all the invited and get baby pics emailed to you, then have everyone guess who's who. I'd also say the more nakey tush, the better.

[Paige]

Lights. Lots and lots of lights. I have only done one large party for each of the older kids and they wanted lights. Little twinkling lights. I also did some beachy things like blow up palm trees, flamingos and stuff like that. Otherwise no theme.

[Tami C]

I wouldn't agonize over theme either. Whatever her favorite color is, use streamers and balloons, hundreds of helium balloons with colored ribbons hanging from the ceiling.

[Mandowife]

My girls just went to a sweet sixteen for a friend of theirs in church. I was a princess party...No Kidding!! The girls all dressed up in ball gowns and tierras and had a blast!!! The mom had every kind of princess theme thing she could find. Sounds strange, but they had such a good time and loved dressing up in the gowns. No boys were invited, just the girls and they ranged in ages from 6 (the little sister) to 19!!

[TracyR]

My girls just went to a sweet sixteen for a friend of theirs in church. I was a princess party...No Kidding!! The girls all dressed up in ball gowns and tierras and had a blast!!! The mom had every kind of princess theme thing she could find. Sounds strange, but they had such a good time and loved dressing up in the gowns. No boys were invited, just the girls and they ranged in ages from 6 (the little sister) to 19!!

Aw, that's cute. I had to tell my daughter about it because she has such a wide range of friends, none of them were really sure who else to invite besides a name or two. She's inviting almost as many boys as girls. I did get her a tiara to wear though. She's so excited and told me she's going to look like a princess. I think I'm just going to do the tons of helium balloons. I thought about attaching tags to the ribbons on the helium balloons that the kids could put their first name or a nickname on and let go during the party. And set up a website (which will also be on the tag) where anyone who finds the balloons could post the location of where it was found. But, I'm not sure that's a good idea.

[babylvr]

Aw, that's cute. I had to tell my daughter about it because she has such a wide range of friends, none of them were really sure who else to invite besides a name or two. She's inviting almost as many boys as girls. I did get her a tiara to wear though. She's so excited and told me she's going to look like a princess. I think I'm just going to do the tons of helium balloons. I thought about attaching tags to the ribbons on the helium balloons that the kids could put their first name or a nickname on and let go during the party. And set up a website (which will also be on the tag) where anyone who finds the balloons could post the location of where it was found. But, I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Cute idea about the balloons but it's not eco-friendly! ;)

[TracyR]

We decided on doing a "memories" type thing. Not really a theme, but we thought it was cute. We are putting small squares of different solid colored scrapbooking paper all over the place, along with gel pens and disposable cameras. We're asking her guests to write something about her, or to her, etc... and to use the disposable cameras to take pics throughout her party (we'll also be taking digital pics). She's really into scrapbooking and will be able to have a lasting memory of her party and all of her friends from high school.

I do have a pet peeve though. I was planning on having her party catered, and have until tomorrow to make that decision. But, she invited about 60-70 friends. I've received 2 RSVP's back. She has no idea either and just says, "Well, they all said they're comming when I gave them the invitations." I'm considering just going with party pizzas and snacks because it'll be a lot cheaper and easier having no idea how many guests are actually comming beyond family.