Hi all. My daughter turns 16 this summer and NEVER asks for anything. (she knows money is a real hurdle for us at this time and she always says that we shouldn't spend the money) She is on the honor roll, all honors classes and is not a party girl. She has friends that she talks about from school but since she is fairly new at her school she hasn't made very close friendships. (no friends have come to the house). We want to have a sweet 16 party for her. She deserves it, but the problem is who to invite? My husband's family is huge and usually all his cousins have parties for everything (communions, graduations birthdays every year) and all of the famiy is invited. We have never done this although we attend everyone else's party. Do we throw a big family style bash for her and invite any of the kids she talks about from school? I can ask her brother (one year younger) who she pals around with at school. (because she doesn't talk about too many people from school) Or do we simply treat her to a quite dinner out? We have asked her and she said she really doesn't mind not having a party. Also, if we do a party any ideas on a theme? Thaks so much everyone.
My oldest is a low key type of person too. So I would have the big family bash and the dinner out for her. Invite everyone who care about her!
J.
What does she want?
We've done parties at the country club with dinner, DJ, etc.
We've done limo parties. One was just riding in the limo. the second one, limo took the girls (6 total) to a very nice hotel, we had a suite, they swam, we walked to a nice dinner, came back to hotel, they swam, order room service for late night snacking. I stayed in the adjoining room (a suite) and had breakfast for them the next morning. Both times, the limo picked each girl up at her home.
Sometimes a spa day with a couple of friends is nice as well.
Figure out what she is comfortable with and go from there.
Our daughter's boyfriend took her to a nice dinner and gave her a pretty ring for her birthday.
Daughter was excited enough this past year to get her car and driver license.
Happy 16th!!
I'd ask her what she wants to do. If she wants a big party, you might consider throwing a 'night club' type party. A friend of mine is doing that for her daughter this coming weekend. She rented the tall tables and stools - like they have in clubs. She got a DJ. She got a slushie machine. The kids will have a great time! The kids will dance the night away!!
LBC
I really think you should ask her what she would like to do.
.
Our daughter sounds just like yours.. She does not have a ton of friends, but a few good friends. . And our daughter hates any attention paid towards her! Her graduation party was so painful to her.. She says she had a good time, but was just so uncomfortable with all of the attention.
Make some suggestions to her and then allow her to think of some things she would like.. She may surprise you.
Our daughter likes when we go to her favorite restaurant and invite her friends to join us.
One time we took a couple of her friends on a camping trip for a weekend.. they had their own tent and we slept in the trailer. they laughed all night!
We also have a lake house she likes to visit and take her friends to. There is lots of room and they hike and lay out by the beach..
Congratulations on a daughter that sounds pretty terrific!
Whatever you do, don't do the quiet dinner out - a Sweet 16 should be special, not to be celebrated by something you might do for any occasion or night out. If she said she doesn't "mind" having a party, my guess is that means she wants a party. But why don't you just ask her? She's 16 after all, and is going to have to start making some of her own decisions. Make it clear to her that you are open to everything - if she wants a big family bash, she gets one. If she wants a big night out in NYC with limo, etc., she gets it (FYI, if you want to do that, I believe it's super cheap (less than $10??) to get a personalized message on the Hershey Chocolate world marquee (I think that's the one - my friend did it for her daughter's 16th). Maybe she wants to go out a super fabulous family vacation, like Paris or something.
Obviously family finances will have to come into play, but I just urge you not to treat it as a regular birthday. Like you said, your daughter deserves something special, and she will remember it for the rest of her life.
Why would you ask her brother who to invite? Ask her. Were you planning on a surprise party? If not, she should be determining the guest list and type of party that she wants.
I am planning a Sweet 16 for my daughter too, in June. We are having it in the party room of the local golf club, where they do their catering and hiring a dj. Now, we are not new in the area so she knows plenty of kids - most of her school friends are not people to come to our house. Teens socialize in other ways. We're inviting about 35 people to this party. Not inviting family, other than an adult niece and nephew.
Good luck with the planning.
for MY 16th birthday I was given a choice, I could have a large party OR driving lessons and dinner with 1 friend out. I opted for the driving lessons!! (it also can give a discount on your insurance depending) I didnt get a car the next year tho, had to work towards that, but I did end up with a FULL year of driving experience BEFORE my test. A bonus in the long run I think. You MIGHT consider doing that. Just a thought :) Good luck and best wishes to her!!
