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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

13 yr old's house party - ideas please!

13 replies

BigMomma3 · 01/12/2009 17:49

I rather stupidly agreed to DD having a party at home for her 13th in 2 weeks. I told her to invite no more than 20 and she has invited 35 at least!! Hopefully half won't turn up .

Anyway, I will put out lots of 'grown up' drinks and nibbles. Am trying to find some plastic cocktail glasses as will make fruit punch and have a chocolate fountain etc.

I am getting her a karoke machine for her birthday that can be plugged into the TV so they can do that and some dancing. Will that be enough to occupy them for 4 hours?? Will also have disco balls, bubble machine and loads of balloons (luckily have a large downstairs and will be clearing out most of the furniture so should be enough room for them to prance about).

Anyone give me any other ideas?? Was not going to do party bags/favours but the last few parties DD's been to, she got one so what can I put in them for 12/13 year olds that is cheap and suitable for boys and girls??

Appreciate any thoughts!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BigMomma3 · 01/12/2009 17:55

bugger can't spell karaoke!

I will be sat on the stairs all night (with DSs and the cat) to make sure no one comes up (have a loo downstairs) as downstairs is all laminate so it does'nt matter what mess they make (DD has promised to clean up anyway)!!

OP posts:
mrsjammi · 01/12/2009 17:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

liliputlady · 01/12/2009 19:51

If you hve to have party bags - you could give something Christmassy - chocolate or a cracker.

Good luck!

airforcemummy · 02/12/2009 23:33

A friend of mine booked a beautician for a make-up lesson for their daughter and friends and it went down a storm for her 'grown-up' birthday party. It depends if your daughter is a 'mature' 13 year old who is into, or becoming interested in, make up.

Amanda2009 · 05/12/2009 17:39

You are mad. With that age you need structure and a quick succession of events with no options for anyone to "do their own thing" or they will probably just run wild with no respect for anything. All I can think of is charades to get them all involved - or get some dramatic pictures for them to do a little play in groups - teenagers love to have a chance to act but it would be a shame to have too many as some may form little cliques who won't cooperate or join in.

BrigitBigKnickers · 05/12/2009 17:47

Don't do too much food. Teens really don't eat much at parties.

Def NO to party bags.

And sorry but 4 hours! Far too long. They will get bored if it's just a disco/ karaoke party. I really would restrict it to 2 and a half hours tops.

Amanda2009 · 06/12/2009 10:54

I just read about doing a scaveger/information hunt - basically an ice breaker activity.

Hand people 10 questions - eg how many people here tonight like tomatoes... first to finish wins. Or hunt for items readily available eg blades of grass...

Amanda2009 · 06/12/2009 10:55

I just read about doing a scaveger/information hunt - basically an ice breaker activity.

Hand people 10 questions - eg how many people here tonight like tomatoes... first to finish wins. Or hunt for items readily available eg blades of grass...

MitchyInge · 06/12/2009 11:09

rather you . . .

Original poster
BigMomma3 · 06/12/2009 11:34

Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like I will have to do something like charades or the hunt (great idea Amanda).

I will only be doing nibbles like profiterole pyramids, chocolate strawberries (a la Iceland) etc so should not be too hard I hope.

I will also be sending DD to school tomorrow with slips revising the finish time from 10.00pm to 9.00pm as 4 hours IS too long . DD has been taking the piss somewhat and I will stand strong!! I will forget the party bags as I really don't need the expense. As the party is on the evening the schools break up for Xmas, they will have forgotten about it by the time they go back so hopefully no one will tell DD we're tight .

OP posts:
JaneiteMightBite · 06/12/2009 11:50

Erm - if you told her no more than 20, why are you allowing her 35? I would be furious with my dd if she did that and she would risk no party at all.

35 teenagers, for four hours, with no structure is a recipe for madness - and mess - and more.

I think you need to rethink things, unless you are a far stronger and braver woman than I am. Plan it with military precision:

  • arrive, fill in piece of paper with prompts about self. They go into a hat and then are read out and everybody has to guess who it is from the answers they gave.
  • organised karaoke - possibly in two teams
  • food
  • dancing

etc. Good luck!

Original poster
BigMomma3 · 06/12/2009 17:17

Janeite - I am furious with her believe me. She does take the proverbial and is under no illusions that if there is any hassle at all, everyone will be immediately kicked out.

OP posts:
roisin · 06/12/2009 17:37

Well I would certainly be with Janeite in the furious camp. I would have cancelled the party completely at that tbh!

I also agree with her about a need for structure/activities too.

I don't know what your dd's crowd are like, but from my knowledge of students this age I would be a far more obvious presence than sitting on the stairs, and might rope in a couple of mates too. I would have an adult in the kitchen keeping an eye out for anyone bringing in alcohol. If I knew a reliable older teenager, who would blend in, I'd post them in the main room keeping an eye out for drugs.

Sorry to be so pessimistic ...

If other people's teenagers come to your house and go home having been drinking or worse, the parents will blame you.

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