Need help for sweet sixteen party

[dancegrl]

I'm turning 16 in June and I want to have an awesome party. I already feel a little behind on my planning because I know I need to get the invitations out soon but I need some help with creative ideas. I'm thinking of inviting around 50-75 friends and because budget is an issue my parents convinced me to have it at home.

We have a pretty nice backyard with a great pool but the problem is I don't want it to be just a silly pool party. I want it to be upscale and cool like what you'd see at a hollywood party. Since we're saving money by not renting someplace, what else can I do to make it special?

What would be a good theme to have at a pool party? What are some ideas to make it feel cool and not cheesy?

[PenelopeW]

How about a luau for your party? If you have the party later in the day (4-5pm) you can start off enjoying the pool during the daylight then you can transition night/party atmopshere with tiki torches around the yard and music and dancing.

Penelope

[Complicatedmama]

I agree with Penelope a luau theme in the evening could be A LOT of fun!

I have been working on themes for my party planning business (handmade invites and favors).... I have some really cute Airline Ticket and Passport invitations if you decide to go with the luau theme and are interested.

if you dont want to do a luau.... you could always go for a hollywood theme, and make it like a classy cocktail party... with non-alcoholic beverages of course... lol but you can hire someone to serve the drinks and appetizers .. put candles in the pool.... get spot lights...a redcarpet maybe for the entrance?

...personally, I like the luau theme better though.

[daisy11]

how about a mermaid theme for your pool party. i think tis would work great with your pool side idea.

get all themed accessories for your party and get it going!!!!!!!


Daisy

[adaliabarclay]

The sweet 16 party is starting to regain a lot of popularity and
importance in our society, especially with the popular Sweet 16
television show on MTV that showcases fantastically large and opulent
parties for the sweet 16th birthday. It's no small wonder your child is
after you for an equally great and cool party. There are ways to make
this happen, even on the cheap.

One of the best ways to create a fun party atmosphere is through themed
parties and one of the easiest themed parties to put together is a
decade theme. The kids will enjoy getting their groove on with a 70s
party, and encourage all the guests to arrive in costume to help set the
time frame. You can hand out some fun headbands for the party favors and
these are inexpensive when purchased in bulk. If the seventies is the
wrong decade a 60s party is even groovier and lets you use psychedelic
colors in your decoration.

This theme even gives you an opening to add glowsticks to the party,
since kids like dancing in a 'club' kind of atmosphere you can turn down
the lights or replace the light bulbs with black lights and hand out
glowsticks for the kids to dance with and wave around. Besides giving
out glowsticks you can use them in decoration at the party. The glow
ropes and necklaces easily connect together and you can string them
along tables, armchairs and stair rails. This adds decorative atmosphere
and extra light to a party.

Sweet 16 parties also give kids a chance to dress up. If your child's
sweet 16 is going to involve dresses and tuxedos than you can save a
little cash by decorating the party area yourself. Look for anything
that sparkles and shines. Metallic dangles to hang from the ceiling will
catch any light in the room and send it reflecting back down on the
dancers below. You can even blow up a bunch of clear balloons and leave
them on the floor to add that extra magical touch to the party.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and
organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas
for birthday party supplies and fun free educational party games. She
explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching
organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of
party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and
free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit
your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is
at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters,
sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun
theme ideas.

For many girls, having a sweet sixteen party is second only to their
plans for a future wedding. Whether you are planning a sweet sixteen
party, or a Quinceanera, here is a guide that will allow you to make it
a day to remember.

1. Deciding on a date and time: Depending on when the actual birthday
is, scheduling a date and time for the party can be a challenge.
Consider holidays that may keep friends and family away. Find out if
anyone else is planning an event during that time and take it into
consideration. You can choose between the weekend before, and the
weekend after the actual birthday, any day of the weekend from Friday to
Sunday, and between an afternoon or evening event.
2. Deciding on a venue: This party is a large event in a girl's life,
but you need to be budget-minded, too. You should try to be creative
when it comes to picking a location for the sweet sixteen Party. Besides
the usual party hall, which you can get for a bargain if you can be
flexible with the time and date, you can choose many other places.
Consider using your home and yard (rent a tent), a church banquet hall,
a local park, community center, or restaurant. You can also call your
local parks and recreation office to find out about little-known
facilities that may be in your community.
3. Who and how many people to invite: Some birthday girls want a big
party, some want a small. Take into account your budget and the girl's
personality. If she is normally shy, do not invite everyone she knows
and the entire family. If she is outgoing, you need to invite more than
a few close relatives and her best girlfriends.
4. Invitations: Once you know when, where, and how many to invite,
you need to purchase or make invitations. Making the invitations will
save a lot of money, and unless it is a surprise party, it is something
the birthday girl should do. You don't have to be an artist to make
quality invitations, just do something that suits the girl's
personality. It can be as simple as a cheerleading pom-pom with a note
on it, or as intricate as an invitation with calligraphy and cut-outs.
Make sure you request RSVP's as soon as possible.
5. Theme: Picking a theme for the party will make the party more
memorable, and perhaps more fun. Be creative, be outrageous, request the
guest wear a theme-appropriate outfit, or change of clothes for the
optional second half of the party.
6. Scheduling the details of the party: When will you dance, when
will you eat, and how long do you wait for guests to arrive before you
get started? Do not leave the details of the party up to chance.
7. Food: This is where the budget counts most. Almost anything is
acceptable from a seated catered event to a home-cooked buffet, or just
finger foods. You just need to be sure the kind and style of food
served, and the way it is served flows well with the party. If you plan
a menu with a homemade buffet, you will want to do a more casual party,
perhaps in the afternoon.
8. Honoring the girl: A Quinceanera often involves a church service,
but a sweet sixteen party is rarely a spiritual event. Consider inviting
clergy to bless the girl, or have a candle lighting ceremony with the
guest honoring the birthday girl by saying something special about her.
9. Dancing: It is a party after all. Make sure you set aside some
time for dancing. If you choose, you can keep it formal, or you can do a
mixture of formal and popular dance music.
10. Ending it: Don't schedule the party from 5 pm until... Set a
closing time for the party and include it in the invitations. The longer
the party goes on, the more it will cost, and the bigger chance you will
have of something not going according to plan.

[ann1985]

I agree with Penelope