Paying Tribute to your Sweet 16

Honoring your teen on their Sweet 16 is an important part of the party.

If you have been very organized over the years, you probably have all of your photo albums up to date.  But if you’re like us, family photos are in boxes and piles all over the house.  Now is the time to start organizing your pictures.

Our personal opinion, don’t over do it. Pick and choose what really represents your teen.  Whether it’s academic achievements, sports or music, display their photos, trophies, awards and clippings from the paper in an exciting way. 

Some people do one big “shrine” while others spread things around.  Either way, it’s nice for people to see all of the things that your teen has accomplished.

Don’t limit the pictures to just your son or daughter.  Include photos of the teen with their friends, extended family and “teams”.  Your guests will get a kick out of seeing themselves throughout the years.

Scrapbooks:  People love looking at photo albums, especially the new custom creative scrapbook type.  It’s worth the effort to pull together photos of your teen and their friends, teams and special memorabilia.  Assemble a few select photos per event and design a page that identifies who is in the photos, the occasion and any other special information.  An album makes a great gift for your teen after their Sweet 16 party.   Or, have your son or daughter put together the book they want.

Cropping workshops are a great place to get caught up on your album projects, get inspiration, new ideas and get away from the distractions of home.  Workshops are offered in homes or at scrapbook supply stores.  Organize a scrapbook party with or without your teen.  If you feel overwhelmed, there are people who organize scrapbooks professionally.  So check with friends or stores that cater to this type of scrapbook.

Many online photo sites offer digital scrapbooks. These are great alternatives to regular scrapbooks.  See some examples and pricing options at Snapfish.com.

Don’t forget to leave room in your album for your Sweet 16 party pictures.

Poster boards:  Some people put photos and news clippings on poster boards.  Dress it up with their name, stars, stickers and cut out decorations. Your guests will love to see themselves and their names on the board with your teen.

Customized Water Bottles: Order water bottles or water bottle labels with a Sweet 16 them and a photo of your teen on them.  Go to our Personalized Water Bottles webpage for more details.

Take-Away Treats & Gifts:  Bring back fond memories and surprise your teen with personalized Fruit Roll-ups®. Imagine the surprise when your guests find your teen’s name and happy birthday printed right on the fruit roll-up! You can make your own design or select one from several fun options. Just go to MyFruitRollups.com and invent your own. The order process is easy, the fruit roll-ups® are made fresh for you and are delivered in less than 14 days. But best of all ... they bring out the kid in everyone.

Posters:  Hang up some poster-size pictures of your teen and his or her friends and classmates.    You can create these at Snapfish.com.

Memory Books:  Are all of your photos digital? Can't scrapbook or don't have the time?  Consider making a Memory Book or digital scrapbook instead.    Snapfish.com allows you to create your Memory Book online.  You can pick the color and style and include a large number of pictures with or without captions.  Another nice feature is that you can order multiple copies.  Or create a smaller FlipBook, also available at Snapfish.com.

Movie:  You may want to think about a movie.  A continuously playing “video biography” of your son or daughter from birth through high school set to music is an excellent way to share the memories at a Sweet 16 party.

You and your teen could create one together, using your own DVD burner; or, if you choose, professional services are available.  Enlist your teen’s help in selecting photos and music.  Movies make a great keepsake and special gift for your teen.

One of our friends later used the video at her daughter’s wedding, after adding new footage from the groom’s side of the family.

Card Holder/Box: Create a card holder and put it on the display table.  Use birthday-themed scrapbook paper to wrap the box. 

Or buy a pre-made box from Shindigz.com.