Sweet 16, Wow what a landmark for any teenager. A teenager’s 16th birthday party is one of most significant birthdays they will ever celebrate. When you begin to plan your 16th birthday party on a budget, remember finding a good deal and sticking to a budget does not mean your party will be substandard by any means. You can successfully throw a first rate memorable sweet 16 birthday party on a budget. I will give you some cheap 16-year-old birthday party ideas. Depending on the time of year, your teen was born, will make a big difference on the setting and type of birthday that you are planning. Listed below are some inexpensive 16th birthday party ideas.
Even on a budget, there are several must have items.
1. Camera and film, if you already have a camera, Wal-mart has film at a reasonable price.
You can also purchase a disposable camera for $6.00-$10.00 well worth the memories, you will capture.
2. Candles and napkins, I recommend the dollar store.
3. Birthday invitations, save money by making your own, I have an article written about
DIY Birthday Invitations, if you need some tips to get you started.
4. Food, snacks, and drinks (this is a big part of a teen’s social life, eating). To save
money, buy in bulk and make what you can from scratch.
5. A tasty treat, to put the candles on, the sky is the limit, use your imagination and be
creative, fun items, like cup cakes, cake, pizza, colored finger Jell-O squares, or
brownies are just a few ideas that come to mind. Do not forget the matches.
Listed below are a few inexpensive ideas to help you organize your party with a budget in mind.
Barbeque at the Park or Local Lake
For a spring or summer birthday party, this is the time of year to be outdoors, the days are getting longer, why not use this opportunity to be with family and friends and celebrate the birthday of that special teen on their way to adulthood. Having an outdoor barbeque at your local park is easy on the pocket book. You are on a budget, so buying in bulk will be you best friend. You can purchase these items at Costco, Wal-Mart, or Sam’s Club
1. Listed are some ideas for the main course and munchies.
* If your park has an outdoor barbeque, you can purchase bulk hot dogs, buns and chips.
* You can purchase low budget meat and cheese for making individual submarine sandwiches.
* Make flour tortilla meat rolls with cream cheese, and then cut into individual bite sizes, serve with homemade
chex snack mix or the pub mix sold at Costco.
* To save on your budget, make it a potluck, each guest can bring a favorite dish to share.
*Meat, fruit and veggie skewers cooked over the barbeque
2. Make a cake or individual cup cakes from scratch, use an inexpensive white cake recipe, and then add food
coloring to add color. You can add any flavor to your recipe with extract favoring, my favorite choices are orange,
lemon and almond. You can make your own icing then color with food coloring.
3. Make your own piñata filled with inexpensive candy; this will take the place of traditional party favors. You can
purchase budget friendly brown paper bags and decorate them for your guest to put their candy in.
4. Having your party at the park will allow you to plan very inexpensive activities.
*Softball
*Water balloons
*Freeze Tag
*Frizz-Bee
*Watermelon eating contest
*Whip Cream pie eating contest
*Our park has a basketball and tennis court, so we take rackets, tennis balls and a basketball.
For a fall or winter birthday party, this is the time of year, you may want to have your party indoors, the days are getting colder and the weather may not allow you to have an outdoor party. This is an opportunity to be with family and friends and celebrate in the comfort of your home. Plan your indoor party with a budget in mind, select a menu that will be cost effective and easy prepare. Warm comfort foods are ideal for making your party a success. I will list items below that are easy to prepare and keep your sweet 16 teen happy.
1. Main menu and snack items (finger food is very popular)
* Make your own pizza, and then serve with homemade bread sticks
*Spaghetti and meatballs, served with salad and homemade bread
*Mini franks simmered in Barbeque sauce, use toothpicks for an eating utensil
*Hot dogs baked in croissant roll dough (aka-pigs in a blanket) are always a big hit
*Artichoke or Spinach dip, served with homemade pull-apart bread
*Fried mozzarella cheese sticks, serve with marinara sauce
*Veggie tray with ranch dressing
*Chicken wings and dipping sauce
*Taco’s served with chips and salsa
*Homemade cookies
2. Ideas for a Unique Birthday Cake
*If you make pizza for your main staple, just put candles right on top and spell out “Happy Birthday” with extra
olives. Be creative and add some color, use skittles candy.
*Place candles on the homemade pull-apart bread.
3. Indoor activities that keep the party moving
*Apple to Apple is a game that will keep your teens engaged
*Invite your guest to bring his or her own CD’s to play
*Twister
*Trivia guessing games
*Truth or Dare
*Play hot potato with balloons
*Musical chairs
4. Purchase inexpensive items to place in a grab bag for your guest to choose as they leave the party, listed are
some ideas.
*glow light sticks
*miniature deck of cards
*wood paddle with a ball attached
*inexpensive necklaces and bracelets
*candy bars
*hair accessories, these can be homemade with little effort. Glue fake flowers onto a barrette or hair clip
*inexpensive sunglasses
*silly putty
*Hawaiian Lei
5. Indoor Party Theme ideas
*Hawaiian
*Indoor beach party
*Mexico
*France
*50’s era
*Drama or theater
Birthday parties for 16 year olds may seem challenging, but if you keep the party light hearted and fun, your teen will be sure to have a great time. Providing food and music will allow your teen to hang out with their friends and listen to music. Games are a great icebreaker; keep the party moving with an activity that all can participate in. Take pictures to share with others these memories will last forever..
Source: Personnel Experience, http://www.party4sweet16.com/sweet16-party-themes.htm
