Today’s Sweet 16 parties: rising dollars, dilemmas & drama ~ Teen Girl’s Perspective

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A recent story told of a girl turning sixteen, whose parents paid almost $300,000 for her party. Yes, for a Sweet 16 party; not for a wedding, honeymoon, and down payment on a new house.

It’s not uncommon these days to hear people talk about spending at least $20,000 on their Sweet 16 parties, even during the current economy.

But, many teen girls have decided to avoid the rising dollars, dilemmas and drama that oftentimes go along with the planning of an extravagant party.

Some girls are taking a simple more “old school” approach to celebrating their 16th birthday with a handful of some of their closest friends. Some are even limiting their celebrations to include only their family members.

Things like movies and sleepovers, or spa pampering days are becoming more and more popular for girls who don’t want to break the bank with a Sweet 16 party, and then possibly need to give up the chance to have a major celebration (including a new car and a HUGE vacation someplace!) for their upcoming high school graduations right before college tuition kicks in.

Choosing to tone things down and think carefully about budgets and the costs to throw a big party may not always come easy for teen girls; but it might be the better choice in the long run.

Danielle M. Biggs
High School Student
Trustee & Administrative Assistant ~ Lifeline Foundation, Inc.

Sharon M. Biggs, M.A., is a wife, mother, and 21st Century educational leader who serves as Co-Chair & President of Lifeline Foundation, Inc. This 23-year educator is also Founder, Editor, and Chief Writer of LifelineExtensions.blog. View Sharon's other published works at http://www.examiner.com/.

Contact Sharon directly for more information: sharonbiggs@mylifelinefoundation.org

"Children are the globe's most precious commodity."  (Terence H. Biggs, Jr. ~ 2009)