• A sweet 16 celebration is an event that teens look forward to as an important party.birthday party image by Liz Van Steenburgh from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  The sweet 16th birthday celebration is a milestone event in a young person's life. A party is a traditional way to celebrate the birthday, and a theme can help to plan the décor and food for the event. Discuss the theme with the teen before making any plans for the celebration.
  
  

Beach Party

• Creating a beach theme for your teen's birthday celebration requires tropical decorations and an island menu. An outdoor party by the pool is the perfect place for a beach-themed sweet 16 party. Use tiki torches to decorate the backyard, and set up tables full of festive tropical foods. Use tropical flowers such as orchids to decorate the buffet table. Set up lounge chairs in the yard for guests to sit on during the party. Play tropical music along with music your teen selects for dancing.
  
  

Winter Theme

• Teenagers who have a birthday in the winter months are limited to indoor parties for a sweet 16 celebration. Embrace the cold weather, and use it for the theme of the party. A winter theme party includes decorations with colors of icy blue and shiny silver. Create snowflake decorations, and hang them in the hall or your home to celebrate the event. White and blue Christmas lights also make the room dramatic. Scatter snowflakes on the buffet table, and serve hearty dishes for the meal such as beef stew, potatoes and biscuits. Add some snow banks to the dance floor to give the appearance of an ice rink.
  
  

Mardi Gras

• Mardi Gras is a wild celebration that teens will enjoy for a sweet 16 party. Have the guests dress up in full masquerade costumes for a mysterious atmosphere. Decorate with Mardi Gras beads, and serve food such as crab cakes, shrimp and jambalaya. Decorate in shades of purple, green and gold with balloons, ribbon and tableware. A Mardi Gras party requires a DJ and plenty of dancing throughout the night.
  
  

Formal Party

• An elegant formal party is a grown-up way to celebrate a sweet 16 party. Have the teens dress in elegant attire, and have a sit-down dinner for the event. Decorate with centerpieces, white tablecloths and fine tableware. Use flowers around the room to add to the elegant décor. Serve gourmet dishes for the teens, and plan for a DJ and dancing after the meal.