Make your daughter's Sweet 16 a night to remember

February 26, 2010

There are many mile markers in a young woman's life. From her first day of elementary school to the day that she graduate from college, a girl's parents will often document their daughter's journey to adult hood.

However, for young women, sweet 16 parties are often the most anticipated social event of the year.

The celebration indicates that they are stepping over the threshold in young adulthood and are no longer children. And though girls are sure to delight in sharing their big day with their friends, it's also a big step for their parents to express how proud of their daughter they are.

Throw her a surprise party

It's not easy to pull one over on a 16-year-old girl, especially around her birthday, but it can be done - really. However, if you plan to throw a surprise party for your daughter, there are a few things to keep in mind.

It's important to enlist the help of their friends. Pick a confidant who will not spoil the surprise, and get them to help you make sure that the birthday girl arrives at the designated party spot on time. (There's nothing worse than waiting around for a tardy guest of honor!)

Your daughter's best friend can also help you figure out what type of sweet 16 party decorations would be best, and can help you gather her friends and classmates.

On the birthday party invitations, be sure to specify that it's a surprise party, so that the guests know to be discreet about the fete and will be sure to arrive on time.

Before the woman of the hour arrives, have all of her pals sign sweet 16 banners with birthday wishes, and hang them on the wall opposite the entrance so she'll see it as soon as she arrives.

Get ready with sweet 16 decorations

If you have a big surprise gift planned for the birthday girl, like a trip or a car, you could opt to stock up on sweet 16 decorations based on that theme.

For example, if you have tickets to Paris tucked into her birthday card, throw a Parisian themed party. If there's a Volkswagen Beetle waiting in the driveway, put up plenty of insect-themed decorations and offer guests key chains as sweet 16 party extras.