Make her feel special on her sweet 16.
Sweet 16 birthday parties celebrate a major milestone in a teenager's life. While shows on reality television, like "My Super Sweet 16," give the impression that a party must be extravagant, there's a range of creative alternatives to red carpet and glitter. Let the guest of honor's personality and spirit guide the type of party and decorations you choose. Remember to give the party a mature twist, so the guests and the birthday girl feel a little more grown up.
Wall Hangings
Whether the party is in a small room or a large community center, personalize the space with handmade or vintage wall hangings. Have photographs of her favorite places blown up and framed to theme the party around past and future journeys. If you're throwing a smaller family party, line the walls with images from each of her past birthdays. For a friend party, consider her interests and hunt for kitschy items in a thrift shop or vintage store. Use movie posters, pages from vintage fashion magazines or sports memorabilia as conversation pieces that add a unique touch to a room.
Message Garland
Time flies once a party starts, and your birthday girl may not get to talk to all of her friends and family. Instead of traditional blank books where guests leave a handwritten message, make a simple, decorative garland to serve the same purpose. Tie a line of ribbon or twine across the length of a wall. Use thick, colorful paper and cut out seasonal or birthday-themed shapes, like snowflakes, autumn leaves or balloons. Place the papers in a nice basket and miniature clothes pins in another basket, and tie gel pens to a string. As guests arrive, direct them to the garland so they can write a message and clip it to the garland. Afterward, she'll have an array of handwritten notes for a memory box or scrapbook.
Masquerade Props
Instead of filling the rooms with colorful balloons, drape feather boas over chairs and furniture. A few select props heighten the atmosphere without making guests feel underdressed. Tuck the long stem of masquerade masks into the centerpieces, and set top hats randomly on chairs. As the energy picks up, girls can playfully wrap themselves in boas or twirl around like they're at masquerade a ball.
Flowers
Incorporate the birthday girl's favorite flowers into simple and elegant centerpieces or corsages. Use seasonal embellishments to make each arrangement unique. Make the arrangements yourself and opt for small glass bowls or vases. Small, low-lying arrangements sprinkle a party with color and subtle fragrance without overwhelming the space or blocking guests' views. Using her favorite flowers is a subtle way to share her love of nature with friends and family.
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