Sweet 16
Girls turning sweet 16 reach the age of reason and maturity. To celebrate their coming of age, many host parties, inviting their closest friends, classmates, family members and loved ones. Depending on the budget, the parties can vary from simple, no-frills get-togethers to extravagant soirees and anything in between. For the budget-conscious, there are sweet 16 party ideas that won't break the bank. Does this Spark an idea?
Mardi Gras Theme
This is a party for a girl who loves to dress up in ball gowns. Keep the cost down by renting a hall instead of a restaurant or hotel. Check if your local community centers and churches can provide their function halls for a small fee. Add Mardi Gras-themed decorations bought at party discount stores. Purchase standard paper eye masks and embellish them with colorful beads or feathers to turn them into Mardi Gras masks for everyone to wear.
Create your own invitations using a computer or by handwriting in old English style. Use brown parchment paper bought from the art store, roll them into scrolls instead of folding and tie with ribbons to create a medieval look.
Have families and friends help with cooking instead of hiring a caterer. Serve fried chicken, mashed potatoes, salads, roasted beef, spaghetti and bread. Set up two to three long tables as buffet tables and cover them with purple or burgundy tablecloths. Cover all tables with matching tablecloths. Jewel tone colors such as purple, fuchsia, dark blue, burgundy and emerald green are popular choices for a Mardi Gras-themed party.
Rent a ball gown or have an aunt or a friend sew you one. You might also find used prom and bridesmaids gowns available at thrift stores. Some department stores carry prom dresses you can buy for a much lower price than exclusive wedding and ball gown shops.
Backyard Luau
For a girl who would rather celebrate at home, a backyard luau is one of the ways she can enjoy her sweet 16 and stay within budget. Decorate the backyard with bamboo poles and sticks. Cover plain backyard tents with straws to make them look like tiki huts. Hang strings of lights and light garden bamboo torches for an authentic luau feel.
Serve roasted pork, egg rolls, noodles, burgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and other foods that you can buy from Asian restaurants. Serve virgin pina coladas or fruit punch in plastic cups decorated with paper umbrellas on a toothpick. Decorate a pineapple fruit with fruits and vegetables on sticks and place it at the center of your buffet table. Wear a mumu, or a traditional Hawaiian dress, a lei and flower halos worn by Hawaiian girls. The birthday girl should wear a white mumu while her court can wear colorful ones. The male guests can wear Hawaiian shirts. Play Hawaiian music and have friends prepare Hawaiian dance numbers to entertain the guests.
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