<p>DD is turning 16 in December and all her friends have been having “sweet 16” parties. I’m not big on birthday parties, but apparently we’ve decided to throw her a bash. We are looking at a Friday night 9 to midnight dance party with assorted finger foods at a banquet hall. She would like for there to be something to do besides just sitting about at the tables (which is apparently what happens at some of the parties). There will probably be 40 to 60 boys and girls, mostly DD’s age. Besides the dancing, does anyone have suggestions that have worked for them?</p>
<p>Sounds like an expensive party with 40 to 60 people.</p>
<p>Maybe you can have a theme party? What are your daughter’s interests?</p>
<p>Are you hiring a DJ?</p>
<p>Maybe they would have some ideas, having done many of these types of parties.</p>
<p>I’ve seen parties that have wii or DDR set up in areas for the kids to do. Also (depending on your budget) those portable photo booths are popular.</p>
<p>Can you divide them into teams (~10-12) for some sort of participatory competition (ie. game show, scavenger hunt, DDR, etc)? As the guests check in, they could be randomly assigned to a team to mix up boys/girls & cliques. Award prizes (gift cards to Starbucks, Chipotle, iTunes, Amazon, etc.) to the winning team. </p>
<p>Organizing a competition takes more work on your part, but it gets the kids more involved than just sitting at a table. I’m sure there are plenty of team-building or ice-breaking activities out there on the internet. Or ask your school’s guidance department for ideas.</p>
<p>I have done 2 sweet sixteens. Last one I did was a club scene. I hired a very good DJ, who came recommended by those kids. If you have good music and they are dancing, then it is a good party. If they end up sitting around with nothing to do then it’s talked about the next day. There is no need for extra activities (like when they were younger) as long they are dancing. Those kids will think “actvities” to be junvenile.</p>
<p>For extra touch, I rented high cocktail tables (have chairs if you want), put black table clothes over, white table candles or center piece. I splurge on the lighting. I rented two tall rectangle floor lanterns, and had the DJ provide spot lights. Kids came dressed as if they were going to a club - a lot of short black cocktail dresses.</p>
<p>One other thing I did was I had security (dressed as bouncers). They checked everyone who came in, no backpacks, and made sure they were on the list. There was no alcohol allowed at the party. If anyone came looking drunk, they were turned away. I had a security person by the bathrooms too. Some parents may think it’s an over kill, but I can tell you now that there is drinking at almost all high school parties. In our state, driving age was 17, so parents dropped off and picked up. If your state’s driving age is 16, then it is something else to deal with.</p>
<p>By the way - D2 said she didn’t want a sweet 16, then she and her best friend decided they wanted one 2 months prior. I had to rent a place and plan everything in a very short period of time, whereas with D1 we had a year (it was much more of a formal affair).</p>
<p>I’m sure a party with a dj and girls in cocktail dresses, etc. is fun, but fairly predictable.</p>
<p>How about a themed costume party? </p>
<p>Instead of embracing ‘hello’ to adult hood, how about ‘goodbye’ to child hood. Costumes could be characters from childhood books/movies and games could be more nostalgic.</p>
<p>Does your daughter have a special interest? Maybe that could lead to ideas for the party.</p>
<p>(caveat, I’ve never planned a sweet sixteen party, just 2 bar mitzvahs)</p>
<p>Again, no Sweet 16s, but 2 Bar Mitzvahs. We rented pinball machines and retro video games. I’m not sure it would be as successful with girls, but the boys loved it (so did the adults in attendance).</p>
<p>Have all invitees where black or white…and then the birthday girl can shine in a fabulous bright red dress!<br>
Also…have someone be the photographer (they all love to pose) and then post the pics on photobucket or the like, so kids can see all and pick and choose ones they want.</p>
<p>Security at front door and bathrooms a must. And no in and outs…once you leave, you’re not coming back in…and let all know that if they leave early, you will call the parents to let them know you are no longer responsible for them…</p>
<p>Bar Mitzvahs are bigger deal because there are adults to consider. Sweet 16 is easier in comparison. For D2 we just had kids, no adults.</p>
<p>D1’s theme was Fashion Week. We had a runway, with large screen showing different designer’s collections, it was like going from one tent to another.</p>
<p>Rent a photo booth…the kids will have a blast taking their pictures all night with who ever wants to squeeze into the booth at the time. The photo strips become the party favor. D has also been to a party where everyone was in white the there were black lights…pretty cool party.</p>
<p>rent a photo booth</p>
<p>I hear chocolate fountains are always a hit.</p>
<p>DD likes the show Whose Line is it anyways. Is it possible to do some kind of Improv thing?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What is your budget for the party? Do you have a local comedy club in your area? Ask them if there are any local comedians that are available.</p>
<p>A Mexican theme is always fun. Great food (i.e. taco bar), easy decorating (straw sombreros, cactus . . .) and dancing (limbo–maybe that’s more Hawaiian/Caribbean). Even hiring a dance instructor to teach the kids some Latin dance moves</p>