Celebrating your sweet sixteen is a special moment in any girl’s life. The sixteenth birthday party is always known as ‘the sweet 16’ and usually involves a few key elements. If you’re planning a sweet sixteen for a relative or friend, here’s everything that you need to know in order to plan the best party ever!

Planning a great sweet sixteen party isn’t easy, but it will be worth it! Whether you’re a mom planning the party for her daughter, a friend planning it for another friend, or a relative planning the party for someone you love, you may be overwhelmed and not really know where to start! Well, we’re here to help you figure it out.

Start With Picking a Destination
The party is going to be hosted somewhere– the only question is where! You can base this on the person you know is turning sixteen (and if you ask them, they’ll probably give you some good ideas that will help you choose). They may love the beach, parks, gardens, gaming centers, or just prefer a nice party at home. Consider what your party-goer might like for a place and the answer will likely come to you!

Activities and Entertainment
No party is complete without entertainment and activities! Entertainment can be just about anything. Most parties have some music going, so consider that when you’re planning something! It can be a DJ, someone you know running a speaker, or just a playlist on an ipod hooked up to speakers. Either way, make sure there is something to set the mood. You can also take photos, have a piñata, play games, give favors– people love doing fun things at parties!

Food and Drinks
Another thing to consider is food and drinks for the party! Guests can’t stay forever without something to sustain them. Plenty of delicious food and drinks will help make any party a success. You can order a pizza, put out chips and salsa, or whatever makes sense for your family! Consider even inviting guests to bring a main dish and provide the drinks and the rest of the snacks. You can have alcoholic beverages there for adults if you like, but consider asking people to either B.Y.O.B. or inform them that there will not be alcohol on the premises. Also be sure to have enough food and drinks for everyone!

A Cake
No Sweet 16 is truly complete without a cake, don’t you think? Or at the very least, some type of dessert– but in many cases, a cake is traditional. You can get a real cake or some variation, such as an ice cream cake. Just keep in mind that an ice cream cake will melt pretty quickly so you’ll have to cut it up fast. Also be sure to have a cute message on top– usually Happy Birthday with the person turning 16’s name on top. If they love a certain color, character, emojis, or theme, consider incorporating that as well if you can. And as always, be sure that the birthday girl really loves the cake that was chosen!

Gifts
Last but not least, no sweet sixteen is complete without at least one gift. Make it something that she’ll love and invite others to bring gifts, and you have the perfect sweet 16.