Any ideas for a 16th birthday party for dd please?

[BelligerentGhoul]

Dd1 will be sixteen soon and has no idea what she'd like to do for a party. Has anybody got any good ideas please, prefereably in the 'not hideously expensive' range?

I suggested taking some friends for a posh afternoon tea but she's pulled faces at that one. I also suggested taking a couple of friends to London or the theatre but she would prefer something cheaper with more friends. Also pulled faces at the idea of them all going for curry.

Please help! She is lovely and deserves something nice but I also don't want to spend a fortune.

depends on what type of 16 year old she is,
I just did a cake for a 16 year old who wated to relive her children's parties of old.
Village hall, bouncy castle, chocolate fountain, childrens party food, jelly icecream with sprinkles etc.
they all put on their fanciest party clothes.

She had a fabulous time they could enjoy still being kids in an "ironic" way - even though it wasn't ironic at all.

Oh that's a great idea - but one of her friends has already done it, though at home rather than in a hall. Thank you though.

That sounds lovely, Cat - and it would be good for her as she believes that she is a klutz in the kitchen so doesn't cook much!

Will suggest that to her but would welcome more ideas in the meantime.

I booked a local Italian restaurant and let her invite 12 of her friends. I gave her a total budget she had to stick to. She loved playing hostess, ordering a couple of bottles of wine for them to share etc. And the waiters brought out a birthday cake with candles.

Me and DH stayed well out of the way.

Sounds lovely. We did similar for her 15th, at a Chinese buffet place, which she enjoyed.

Now wine...she would love that but tbh I think I'd prefer to wait for her 18th! :) We do allow her the odd v weak spritzer at home but not sure what attitude her friends' parents have to it, so probably best to play safe I guess.

Ah, but if you set a budget, they have to be canny with wine ordereing as it means no pudding

We did have a word with the restaurant staff and gave them a limit of booze... they were fine as they didn't want tipsy teens on the premises.

If she wants all her friends, hire a hall. If you are or know someone who is technically minded, hire a few disco lights and a sound system and set her to making a dance list on her iPod. Provide "security" on the door, and entry is by posh invitation only. Get some pictures blown up to A1 size, of her favourite celebrities and stick them on the walls. Maybe a grandparent could treat her and a few mates to a limo as a birthday pressie? Maybe enlist a couple of slightly older teens to be waiter/esses for the night and mix up (non-alcoholic) in fancy glasses with sparklers and umbrellas?

Good thinking, NIghtSky! :)

All of her friends (ie her very best friends and the ones she'd want) would be around 10, so not really worth a hall I don't think.

I am about as technologically-minded as a dead goldfish!

Some great ideas, though - please keep em coming!

How about something like this??

Thanks Purple but I think no to that. Tis a bit too bling, I think! :)

For me too, but a 16 y/o might enjoy it.

There's a pink Porsche one that lives near me. It's truly horrific - pink metalflake alloys, etc... DP and I call it the Cayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene :)

:)

She is deffo not a 'pink' 16 year old!

Thanks though.

Any more please?

Sorry, I meant that the pink ones make us both want to vomit

Hummers and stretch minis are pretty cool, ditto fire engine although for 16 you might want to veto the stripper

Oh gosh - the mind boggles! :)

What about booking a local mobile beautician to come and do manicure/ pedicure for say 6 friends. Shouldnt cost too much. Get them nice nibbles / drinks. Then a DVD and stay over for a sleepover ?

Harvey Nicks in Edinburgh has a 'Chocolate Lounge' which has a conveyor belt like Yo Sushi with cupcakes, chocolate concoctions, mini bottles of pink champagne (and maybe the non alcoholic equivalent?) etc. Maybe something like that in your area? It looks fun, but think it could get really expensive!

Beauty thing is an idea.

Chocolate lounge sounds divine but I don't think we have one - could do something similar at home though!

Thanks both.