House party for dd's 14th birthday - what do I need to know??

[Dancergirl]

Dd is 14 in a couple of weeks and is having a Saturday night party at home for about 10 or 11 friends.

We've never done this sort of thing before, what do I need to know? I'm a bit nervous!

We have a TV room with adjoining dining room so I said they could have that space. Dh and I can sit in the living room or go upstairs. Not sure what to do with 9 year old dd though - she'll either want to join in and be annoying to her sister, or won't be able to sleep from the noise.

Do I need to plan any activities for them? I'm quite happy to just leave them to it but dd wants some ideas.

Food? I suggested pizza to dd which is a possibility, any other ideas?

[Sweepingchange]

Hi op

Are they staying overnight?

[Dancergirl]

Not sure, probably not.

[Sweepingchange]

I think that' probably wise given the numbers! (My dd is 13 yrs and I'm afraid two others is the maximum sleepover limit here.) So make sure the parents know what time to collect.

I did host about 15 teens for dd's birthday though: cleared sitting room, had silver dangling decorations, glitter ball, Wii just dance and inexpensive, karaoke thing plus mocktail bar in corner with crushed ice, various floating fruit juice combos, and some plastic cocktail glasses, cherries and strawberries on sticks etc - the girls enjoyed making them up themslves. Also had mini nail bar in corner with various transfers/ temporary tattooos etc which again they used in small groups throughout the evening.

Later on ordered pizzas and of course had cake with candles.

Then they all settled down on cushions and watched a film.

They more or less looked after themselves, but think it's good to have one planned activity up your sleeve in case boredom/discord sets in.

And despite their age, they still enjoyed going home with a party bag.

My dd is quite young for her age though; not sure if the above would suit more sophisticated teens.

Good luck!

[gamerchick]

Frisk them when they come in for hidden alcohol.

[Akire]

Could the 9 y old have a friend for a sleepover so they can be bribed to stay upstairs?

[Sweepingchange]

Dh and I sat and watched TV upstairs while all of this was going on btw (no siblings). Parents collected between 10 and midnight (started at 2 pm ish) We got to bed about 1 am so wasn't too bad.

Oh forgot - I 'd also made (inexpensive) photo booth thing from Ikea cardboard packing - where you put your face through. It had a "moustache" theme and box of silly hats/ feather boa etc. Teens had good fun with that - they all took shots of themselves with their phones and took a Polaroid shot each too.

[Sweepingchange]

Oh it's all coming back now ... What I remember primarily lots of um, shrieking ..

[228agreenend]

Have a lot of nibbles available.

[Dancergirl]

sweeping some great ideas. Is the karaoke thing on the wii? We do have a wii but we're rubbish with tech and can never get it to work.

Like the sound of the mocktails.

akire that's not a bad idea for little dd.

[Sweepingchange]

Yes it was on the TV screen via the Wii - not sure how it works either - sorry I'm useless with this sort of thing. DD set it up herself.

[sijjy]

We had a party for my dd when she turned 13. We had ours in a hall with disco so did dance competitions and stuff. We had a chocolate fountain. That went down really well. Can get them cheap ish from Argos and if you buy the Thorntons chocolate fountain tubs there's no messing with oils and stuff.

[Dancergirl]

Just chatted to dd again about ideas. She doesn't want too structured, think they just want to hang out. Doesn't want to do nails etc.

She did go a party recently where they played pass the parcel

The chocolate fountain sounds fun, bit worried about the (carpeted) dining room though!

[Dancergirl]

sweeping where did you buy everything for the mocktails? I've looked on Amazon for plastic cocktail glasses but they are really expensive - about £6.99 for 6!

[stayathomegardener]

I made a pass the parcel for DD's 13th birthday.
Was so funny to watch the too cool for school faces get into it when they realised prizes were all fantastic age appropriate and in each layer.
Well worth every penny. Xxx

[Dancergirl]

Funnily enough stay dd recently went to a party where they played pass the parcel! What did you put in the layers?

[2014newme]

My dd had the same as sweeping mentioned for her 9th birthday, photo booth, mocktails, nail bar, tattoos also glow stick disco in the dark, Movie, about 6 girls slept over. Went to bed about 1am. Parents picked up at 9.30am I like them gone in the morn!

[2014newme]

Sorry yes karaoke and wii as well although wii is becoming less popular

[2014newme]

Home bargains and pounding have cheap plastic cocktail glasses for bought paper parasols on Amazon

[stayathomegardener]

Mmmm was a while ago DD is 18 next month.
Jack Wills knickers/pencil cases/pens.
EOS Lip balms.
Urban Outfitters earrings.
Top shop necklaces.
American sweets that were new to them.
Lazer pens (possibly a bad plan but did keep them occupied)
Packs of hair bobbles, to wear on wrists obvs.
Lots of swapping went on for ages afterwards.

Did get most of it in post Christmas sales so kept costs down.

[Dancergirl]

Sounds expensive stay So I take it no main prize in the middle?

[Sweepingchange]

Dancergirl plastic mocktail glasses came from Party Pieces 4.99 for six (although I got the larger multicolored 12 pack) I've re-used them for summer parties since though!

Love the the pass the parcel idea!

DD has just received an invitation to a quiz night 14 th b'day party btw (looks like it is going to be sort of Pointless style)

[stayathomegardener]

No, no main prize.
And whilst it did add up I don't recall spending on anything else bar food, cake and music.

[Sweepingchange]

DD went to a party last year where they had written dares instead of presents in between each layer of pass the parcel; silly stuff like drinking water from wrong side of cup, standing on your head, touching some unknown squidgy item blindfold and guessing what it is, reciting alphabet backwards rapidly etc etc. Everyone gets to join in, and it's a cheaper way of doing it. Think there was just a lush bath bomb in the middle and a few small choc bars throughout.