Spend more on presents and activities and less on decorations to save money.
Teens can be some of the pickiest people in the world when it comes to parties. As elementary school students they spend months planning their birthday parties, but as teens they either love parties or hate them. Spending time with friends is important for a teen, so make this time special. Provide activities and food that will make your teen feel special.
Family Celebrations
Celebrate birthdays as a family.
Spend time with family to celebrate your teen's party. Make this time special by adapting traditions to fit your teen. Provide a special plate that only the birthday person can use on her birthday. Make your teen's favorite meal and have him lead a conversation game at the table. Serve diner in the dining room, in a different room, or in the garage on a card table as a surprise. Give your teen a coupon book filled with coupons he can cash in over the year. Include coupons such as: One evening off from dish washing duty, One free book, Girl's night out, Night out with Dad or Favorite meal ticket.
Teen Boy
Provide an environment to encourage plentiful conversation.
Take time out to build a skateboard ramp together and then have him invite a few friends over to christen it. Spending time together to talk while making the board will be a gift just as important as the ramp. Allow your teen boy to invite a few friends over to watch a movie. Let your birthday boy invite one friend to go play laser tag, go see a movie or play paint ball. Build a bonfire in the backyard and allow your teen to invite a few friends over to enjoy the evening.
Teen Girl
Get some of your friends to come and give manicures to the girls.
Spend time with your teen to decorate a special place in the house for her to practice an activity or to work on hobbies she enjoys. Set up a sewing room, decorate a special chair for reading, or create a space to practice yoga. Tell her to invite a few friends over for a spa night. Mix up some facials and hair masks in the kitchen. Provide nail files, shallow buckets and nail polish for manicures and pedicures. Let your teen invite one friend to get a professional manicure or to attend a pottery class.
Party Foods
Serve soda, punch or smoothies in fancy glasses.
Provide food that goes with the type of party you are hosting. Make popcorn, nachos and sliders for a movie night. Make cucumber sandwiches or fondue for a teen girl makeover party. Create a favorite family meal together. Use a theme to make your evening special for both you and your teen. Create some Chinese food and serve it family style, prepare some Thai food and serve it on a low table with pillows on the floor, or serve Mexican food outside on the patio.
Tags: your teen, friends over, invite friends, invite friends over, teen invite