• Decorating parties for teenagers can sometimes be a challenge.party cup ctreamers and party banners image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  Teen parties can be much more difficult to plan than a young child's or adult's party. Instead of settling on a theme and planning some simple games --- or relying on the guests to mingle and entertain themselves --- you have to combine the best of both worlds. In an effort to keep all activities age-appropriate, decorations must also walk a fine line. However, with a little advance planning and creative thinking, you can come up with decorations that are fun, cool and festive.
  
  

Seaside Luau

• A sea or ocean theme for teens should focus on shells and leis instead of cartoon mermaids. A plastic-lined wooden or leather treasure chest can act as a cooler; the host simply fills it with ice and bottles/cans of soda and juice. Tropical flavors work best for this theme. Each guest should receive a paper or plastic lei upon arrival. If outdoors, place tall bamboo torches with twinkle lights strung between them to outline the party area and a fire pit in the center for roasting marshmallows and kebabs made of fruit, veggies and fast-cooking proteins. Tropical flower garlands should wrap around each torch and be strewn down the center of tables, along with shells, sea glass and tea lights. If indoors, replace the torches with battery-powered flicker lights and use the oven to prepare the food.
  
  

Versatile Decorations

• Even if the party has no theme, it can still have a fresh teen flavor. Twist streamers in bright neon colors and hang them in vertical stripes down the walls, adding twinkle lights between them in purple, white or blue for flair. New Age tapestries can serve as tablecloths, and clusters of neon balloons can float above the tables as center pieces or room decorations. Use rattan floor pillows and ribbon-wrapped chairs as seating, and hang sparkly musical notes or other shapes from the ceiling. Ribbons or small tapestries can also cover lampshades to change the lighting and atmosphere of the space.
  
  

Funky Tea Party

• This is no fancy tea party --- teen guests should wear the funkiest Gothic or hippie clothing they own to this party. Teens lounge on bean bags, colorful yoga mats and small, bright area rugs while mixing different blends of loose, dried tea in brightly colored mismatched mugs. Serve from low coffee tables either painted with glow-in-the dark symbols or covered in tie-dyed tablecloths. Decorate the walls in psychedelic and band posters, hand-drawn art drawn by the teen guests and door beads instead of streamers.