Instructions
Four to Eight Weeks Before the Party: Plan and Budget
1. Consider how much money you want to spend. Develop a maximum amount you will spend for the total party budget.
2. Determine how many people you will invite. Consider whether your teen is comfortable with large crowds or smaller gatherings.
3. Determine the date, time and location of the party. If you are not hosting it in your home, secure another location.
Three to Four Weeks Before the Party: Make Invitations
4. At least two weeks before the party, buy enough solid colored invitations to accommodate your guest list.
5. Print the birthday girl's first initial using a large font onto card stock. Cut the letter out with the craft knife to create a stencil for personalizing the invitations.
6. Trace the stencil onto the center of each invitation using the pencil.
7. Fill in the stencil with the permanent marker. Allow ink to dry a few minutes before stacking them together.
8. Pink invitations are reminscent of cotton candy and taffy -- perfect for a "sweet" 16 party.
Address and mail invitations one to two weeks before the party.
Two Weeks Before the Party: Prepare Music and Treat Bags
9. Select your daughter's favorite music and the method by which you will play it. If working with digital downloads, prepare to download enough music to last throughout the party.
10. Cut cellophane into 6-inch squares to create enough treat bag wrappers for all the guests. Cut an equal number of 8-inch long pieces of ribbon.
11. Taffy or small chocolate candies are great for sweet sixteen treat bags.
Place several pieces of individually wrapped candy in the center of each cellophane square.
12. Pull edges of the cellophane up and use the ribbon to tie. Store treat bags until needed for the party.
The Night Before the Party: Bake Cupcakes
13. Cupcakes are easy to make, require little decorating, and eliminate the need for forks or spoons.
Bake cupcakes according to directions on cake mix box.
14. Allow cupcakes to cool. Wait until party day to frost.
15. Transfer cupcakes to cardboard cake box and secure the lid. Refrigerate overnight.
Day of the Party: Complete Details
16. Set up music equipment.
17.Hang streamers in party area. Place table cloth, plates, cups, and napkins on the table.
18. Blow up balloons with helium, using helium tank instructions. Allow balloons to float over the table area and throughout the party room.
19. Transport cupcakes and drinks to the table. Leave cupcakes in box or remove them, whichever you prefer.
20. Frost cupcakes an hour before guests are scheduled to arrive. Wait until time to blow out the candles to actually add them to the guest of honor's cupcake.
21. Start music 30 minutes before the guests arrive. Enjoy the party!
22. Throw all litter in the trash bags after the party ends. You may save money get part of your rental fee refunded by doing your own cleanup.
Tags: Weeks Before, before guests, Before Party, center each, minutes before, throughout party