Sweet Sixteens: 4 Top Party Themes

While plain old "Sweet Sixteen" might have been enough of a premise for a party when you were growing up, today's teens are all about having a theme for their bash that reflects their personality and taste. Don't fear -- having a theme can make picking out party details that much easier. Ideas that fit with your theme and palette are in and obvious mismatches are out. Talk with your teen to figure out a theme that fits her passions. We asked a professional party planner for five inspirational ideas for Sweet Sixteen themes, and then came up with an example for each.

Favorite Place
A vacation spot -- or a dream destination -- can provide great fodder for a Sweet Sixteen theme. We chose Hawaii.

Key decor: Evoke the islands with Hawaiian-print linens, tiki torches (if you're outdoors, of course), and tropical flowers in the centerpieces -- think birds of paradise, hibiscus, and lilies.

Catering: Do a fruit smoothie bar for the kids with plenty of tropical choices like mangoes, papayas, and pineapple in addition to the classics (strawberries, bananas, and OJ).

Favors: Floral leis. While the real thing (orchids and all) might be too pricey, inexpensive versions made with fabric flowers abound.

Extras: Use postcards from Hawaii as place cards -- and "address" one to each guest at their table (if you're really ambitious, your daughter can even include a note to each of her friends).

Favorite Colors
The perfect theme for the girl who's not that into having a theme is to go with her favorite color to tie everything together. These ideas will work with any color, but we picked pink.

Key decor: Pink balloons are fun and pink linens are a natural. To make things a little more dynamic, vary the shades -- like raspberry, ballet slipper, and bubble gum -- instead of all one hue.

Centerpieces: And of course don't forget pink flowers. We like the idea of doing a trio of different small centerpieces that each feature one bloom (like roses, hydrangeas, and sweet pea). Another pretty option: pink roses or daisies wired into topiaries to create trees blooming with color!

Catering: Do an all-pink candy bar so guests can pick out treats to enjoy at the party (and afterward -- don't forget take-out containers so guests can take some home). Pink marshmallow Peeps, jelly beans, Skittles, rock candy -- the choices are endless. Another option: Rent a cotton candy machine.

Extras: Pink lighting -- including a spotlight with her name in it for the dance floor. An added bonus: Warmer lighting makes for better-looking photos.

Hobbies and Passions
Could she spend all day dancing? Are you always on your way to and from her soccer practices? Spotlighting your daughter's number one pastime is a great way to make the party all about her. We chose singing as our example.

Key decor: Let her inner American Idol come out with fun, nightclub-inspired decor. Think glitter, disco balls, and mirrors, and set it off with darker colors -- deep purple or blue linens, and darker-hued centerpieces with a few glittery accents -- to really bring out the sparkle.

Entertainment: Why not turn things over to the amateurs for a little while with some karaoke? Or if you think your crowd is a little too shy for that plan, rent a "Make Your Own Music Video" booth. Hamming it up for the camera with just a friend or two might be just right for this group (plus the videos make great keepsakes).

Favors: Burn mix CDs of your daughter's favorite songs, and create a customized cover (you can also include a thank-you to guests inside).

Extras: Spotlight her favorite musicians with a "Walk of Fame" -- gold stars lining the entryway to the party with her favorite singers (and maybe pictures too).

Favorite Movies
The movies are a major source of party inspiration for teens today -- no surprise, since Tinseltown glamour is everywhere these days. A Hollywood theme can be as broad as, well, "Hollywood," or focus on one of your daughter's fave flicks.

Key decor: You can go in any direction with this theme as far as colors go -- it's the fun extras that will make it fit. Movie posters, faux film reels, and a red carpet entry will give it a Hollywood feel.

Fun entertainment: Screen actual movies near the dance floor -- you don't have to have the sound on, it's more for the ambiance. Something everyone knows so well that they can enjoy a minute or two sans sound will work best -- think classics like Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club.

Cool catering: Serve concession-style snacks. Rent a popcorn popper for fresh popcorn all night long, or have your caterer dream up their version of classic sweets like Ring Dings or Ho Hos.

Exciting Extra: Name the tables for each of her favorite films, and label them with a mini version of that movie poster.