Planning a Sweet 16 Birthday Party During the Holidays

Planning a sweet sixteen party during the holidays doesn’t have to kill your budget or rob you from enjoying the holidays. let’s face it, your child happened to

photo credit: ♥ HunterJumper ♥
be born during a month when they probably already have their birthdays slightly duped because many times people cannot afford to buy them both a birthday gift and then a Christmas gift. They have probably had plenty of parties in which guests couldn’t make it due to other holiday parties. Don’t “jip” them on their sweet 16! this is a special day for them.

Plan ahead

Yea I am stating the obvious but yet the most crucial aspect of celebrating a sweet 16 party. Start planning the sweet sixteen party 6-8 months in advanced.

Start with booking venues, DJs and other rentals needed 6 months in advanced. Why so early? It’s simple, the holidays are busy for everyone and especially organizations in the party industry. I guarantee if you wait to book these things even 2 months beforehand, you will be spending hours on the phone trying to hunt down rentals only to encounter “we’re booked for that date already”.

Create that budget so you know the approximate cost of the party. once this is established then you know how much money you need to be saving over the next few months. Open a savings account at a bank where you do not normally bank at so that it will not be tempting nor convenient for you to withdraw money from it. Then stick to your budget and deposit a monthly amount into that account. As the months draw closer then you can withdraw and pay your vendors or buy decor etc.

Inform your guests beforehand

Send out announcements no later than 4 months before your party date, that announces the date for the sweet 16 party and ask that your guests mark it on their calenders.

Theme Planning

People are generally strapped for cash in the winter so don’t expect to have a themes party in which your guests would have to spend even more then $50.00 on an outfit. Try and make your theme budget friendly for your guests otherwise you could end up with your party going belly-up.

Some themes that are budget friendly

- Red and green ball

- Toy Ball (guests will come dressed up as a toy. A baby doll, toy solider, teddy bear etc)

- Winter Wonderland (they are encouraged to wear their Christmas or prom dresses that were previously purchased)

If you want to do a non-traditional christmas theme then check out some of these low budget ideas:
I Love the 80′s Sweet 16 Birthday Idea
Guitar Hero Rockband Sweet 16 Theme