We've been in Carrollton for just a year this month. Our daughter turns 16 the second week of September. Both my husband and I are currently out of work. We have some savings but need to find a very inexpensive and memorable way to celebrate this milestone with some of her friends and family.
Have friends and family write her letters telling her how much they love her and then put them all in a decorated box.
This may be suggestion in a different direction. My mom was a single mom during my teen years. My mom put a very small and simple ruby ring in lay-a-way (remember that concept) and gave it to me for my 16th birthday. That was 29 years ago. I so treasure that ring everytime I look in it b/c I know how much thought and effort she put into it.
What does your daughter want to do for her Sweet 16? The reason I asked, is because maybe you do some of the things she wants to do and add more special touches that could be cost effective and still have a memorable day. Do you want to have the party at your home?
I enjoy planning parties, so let me know if you need help.
Hi B.!
I am sure that it is daunting thinking of how every other girl celebrates their sweet 16...however, some of the best parties I've ever thrown were the inexpensive ones! The key is THEME!! I have a whole list of hilarious/memorable parties that I threw for my childless 20-something friends ranging from "1984," to an extravagant scavenger hunt that cost me about $30 AND had every girl involved laughing her head off!! PM me if you want any other ideas...I would be happy to share what we've done for inexpensive parties! Also, remember Jer 29:11-13!!! I am sure you've heard that one before! good luck!
Let her pick the music, you bake the cake, decorate with streamers and mouth-blown balloons, have a 2 photos set up (one with a labeled photo close to 16 months and one with a labeled current photo....and a sweet slogan like "sweet sixteen once again." Maybe have family come an hour earlier and then friends come in for the tail-end of the 1st party and cake, and then have friends spend the night.
My friend just had this same situation. She went to Grapevine Mills Mall one day to get ideas and then came home and made up a Scavenger Hunt for her daughter and several of her friends. She just wrote clever clues on strips of paper. Then she and her friend made sure they were at some of the stops to take pictures of the girls in crazy shoes or rock climbing or wherever. It took the girls almost 3 hours to get through the Hunt and they had a great time!! She did give each team about $20-25 dollars to get candy, drinks and some pizza over the course of the whole Hunt. But you could spend whatever you wanted and even have a homemade lunch and cake waiting for them in the food court.
My 16th was very memorable and inexpensive! My friends ALL surprised me by showing up at my dad's church for a Sunday night service and surprise party afterward. They had "open mike" time and said encouraging things to me. They each gave me 16 of something...pennies, dimes, nickels, flowers, etc. That was 22 years ago--I would have loved to have those sweet encouragements in written form so I could hang on to them. You could easily invite friends and family and other significant people in her life and surprise her. Have them bring 16 of something or sweet notes of affirmation. Just bake a cake, make some sweet tea, and you have an inexpensive, memorable party.
I'll never forget my sweet 16! We were dirt poor, but I didn't feel it at all. We hung streamers and Christmas twinkle lights all over everything, and a friend of the family made me a beautiful decorated cake. It was the first birthday where I invited girls AND boys! We listened to music, played a quick card game, played Twister! and then we danced to music--it was a county party and we line danced to country music and, don't laugh too hard, sang too loud to Achy-Breaky Heart--this was THAT summer!
Everyone had a super fun, innocent time, we took lots of pictures to remember it--it was a lot of fun. <sigh!> ...innocence...
:)
B.,
How would you like for me to come and do a Hollywood Makeover for your daughter and 4 friends? Or we could do a mother/daughter makeover. I'm an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International and the Hollywood Makeover is a big hit and a lot of fun. Call me or email and we can go over ideas for the party and more information.
T.
Arbonne Independent Consultant
www.TerriEbbinghouse.MyArbonne.com
cell ###-###-####
My daughter loves parties and I plan them a lot for her. We do every birthday in December and an End of the School year in June.
Start off with....what does your daughter want to do? Go from there. Depending on what she wants, you can adjust according to your budget. I am sure she is aware of your situation right now as well and she might not feel comfortable with a party at the moment. Take that into consideration as well.
Good luck with the party and with finding jobs.
