Having a Sweet 16 birthday party is one of the most celebrated and highly anticipated parties that any teenager will ever experience. They get to have a big party, surrounded by some of their most fabulous and best friends in the world. It's important for them to have good food, great music with the fiercest DJ in town 

and celebrate with some really cool gifts that they'll get from their friends. Aside from the planning details like food, decorations, gifts, what to wear and who to invite, the new sweet 16 teen must also decide where to have their ultimate party. That decision is going to be important to them because it places them either in the "cool" or the "uncool" category above everyone else.

Sweet 16 birthday party themes ideas are in abundance, no doubt, so there shouldn't be a problem in deciding what kind of party to have to usher in the big 16. It is important, however, to make sure to choose a theme that has not been overdone.  Of course, it's always a fun idea to place your own spin on an already done birthday idea.

Renting a party bus and going to different events around town is something that many Sweet 16 birthday parties do for fun. It can be something simple like going to a favorite restaurant or going somewhere to take fun pictures, like at the mall or a nearby park. Or, the party bus can take the entire group to go bowling, to a basketball game or to a music concert. The best part about the party bus is that the teens will be able to play the music as loud as they want to!

Home parties are always a great idea, especially for limited budgets. A Sweet 16 birthday party at home with a '90s theme would be a great idea and leaves a lot of room for creativity as well. The kids can dress like their favorite singer or music band from that era, and perhaps award a cash prize or something to the best-dressed attendee. For decorating the '90s themed party, you can find items at the discount stores or in thrift stores to use to set the theme. For music, you can find a lot of the music from that era online or the kids may even have some of the tunes on their iPod.

Upscale, fine dining and dressing up is another Sweet 16 birthday idea that both girls and guys may enjoy. Have the teens dress up in their formal wear and have a limousine escort them all to their favorite restaurant. This will almost feel like a prom night, but give it a little twist by letting the girl wear a tiara or the guy wear a crown. If they don't like the formal wear idea, opt instead for jeans and their favorite tee shirts, but keep the limousine idea so things will still feel special.

A skating rink party is lots of fun, and renting out the entire skating rink for the Sweet 16 birthday girl or boy will be a blast! Find out what the rental cost would be for the entire skating rink for anywhere from two to four hours. Make a favorite dance music list or CD for the DJ at the skating rink to play and let the kids enjoy and have a great time! You can either opt to eat and have refreshments at the skating rink, or leave there and go to their favorite restaurant after the skating fun is over.

A Sweet 16 birthday spa party is another great idea to do, and is best done with smaller groups like two to five girls. This small group keeps the feeling of the party cozy and intimate, plus it's easier to manage everyone when it's just a few people in a spa atmosphere. Your daughter and a few of her closest friends will enjoy having a full spa day for them to enjoy. Rent a hotel suite or condo and let them enjoy the pool area, sauna and hot tub, and have each one receive massages and mani/pedi's. The girls can spend the rest of the evening mall shopping, watching movies or they can order room service at the hotel and stay in their pajamas. For added security measure, enlist the help of two or three other adults to help you keep an eye on everyone and their activities.

Finally, why not host your Sweet 16 here at the Warehouse at EBE?  With the lighting, video, security guards, and entertainment options available, it will be like renting your own private nightclub for the evening!  Take advantage of our onsite event planners and really turn your daughter's or son's dream party into a reality!

Dear Ben,

I am planning my company's holiday party and if there is one thing I have learned about my co-workers, it's that they are NOT dancers!  I don't know if it is because they are afraid to let loose in front of each other and our bosses, but the traditional dance party with a band or DJ is not for us. What else can you suggest?

Thank you,

Sydnee

Hi Sydnee!

There is nothing worse than choosing the wrong style of entertainment and trying to force a dance party into happening when it simply will not work.  Fortunately there are a lot of great ideas that we have done in the past with tremendous success.  Hopefully one of these will work for you.  If you like more than one of the ideas, save the rest for future years!

1) Talent show - Showcase the hidden talents of your co-workers  

2) Karaoke night - Let your co-workers discover their inner Springsteen. Best singer gets a bonus day off!

6) Boardwalk Arcade - We will bring in a variety of classic arcade games and traditional boardwalk games, such as skee ball, pop-a-shot basketball, air hockey and more!  Add a photo booth to give your guests a keepsake they can take home to remember their fun night. Other options include a caricaturist or fortune teller.  We even have giant version of some of your favorite games, like Chess, Jenga and Connect 4.

7) Casino Night - Bring all of the energy and excitement of Atlantic City to your event with casino tables.  Options include blackjack, 

Caribbean stud, Let It Ride, Texas Hold 'Em, Big Six Wheel, Craps and Roulette.  We even have slot machines!

Please let me know what you think!  We look forward to the opportunity to work with you can create a perfect night for you and your co-workers.

Best regards,

Ben

Ben Ostroff has been a DJ/MC since he was 10 and has been with EBE since 2003. Send him an email him with your questions at ben@ebetalent.com.