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Cinderella: A Sweet 16 Party

Remember, keep your decorations to the tables and the focal point in the room, which most likely will be the stage! No one will notice the walls—so tall centerpieces (balloons are the best for a Sweet 16) with oversize and large quantities of balloons will fill the room and make it look like the "fantasy" you want it to be.

Entry

Our custom shop can make a display of your daughter, dressed as Cinderella, standing in front of her pumpkin coach, welcoming all to the party!

Over the door to the "ballroom," I would put "Welcome to The Ball!" and light it with twinkle lights. The size of this sign would depend on the entrance.

At the entrance, each young lady (and perhaps the old ones, too) should pick up a rhinestone tiara for her hair.

You may also want to have a table where you have masks on a stick (like they used to use at the balls of old). These black and gold sequin masks (S4558) are fabulous!

Ceiling treatment

Hang additional rhinestone tiaras  (style one, style two) from the ceiling (if you can) and watch as they glitter in the lights from the DJ or band…a fabulous effect. Mix with oversized "glass" slippers (made of plastic) also hanging from the ceiling—what screams Cinderella more??! You should be able to find those at any craft store.

Another great thing to do if the ceiling isn’t too high is to fill 14" balloons (in different colors) with helium, tie off curling ribbon and let them float over the dance floor! Spray glitter than slightly so the lights bounce off!

Centerpieces

Something fun would be a black top hat with fabulous balloons coming out of the inside. Or, since the ball is at the castle, nothing wrong with a gold and silver large jester hat as your centerpiece base. The balloons can include Cinderella Mylar balloons or just use pinks, lavenders and other fancy balloons with tulle instead of ribbon. A good balloon company should be able to do something fabulous. Another easy option is a Cinderella centerpiece.

Tables/other

What your overall table looks like is so very important. Here are some ideas—use them all or just some:

• Candy…I would put chocolate foil-wrapped shoes as the table candy…or use these as favors.
• Linens…depending on your budget, a silvery overlay would be fabulous! Most linen companies in your area will have these with napkins to match.
• Napkin rings…you may be able to find inexpensive long white gloves to tie around the napkins as a napkin ring (one each, of course). If you don’t like that idea, get some magic wands (the kind with stars and ribbons on the end) and wrap the napkin around one at each setting. Tie the napkin with star garland. A great look, I promise.
• Cameras...one on each table so your guests can get some candid shops of themselves partying at the ball.
• Champagne Maracas…at each seat—a favor and decoration in one!
• Champagne Bubbles…also at each seat—for a fabulous atmosphere.
• Try some confetti with the picture of the birthday girl! Very unique and very cool.

If you’re hosting the party at home, check out our Petals & Pearls paper goods and the silver plasticware that goes with it! Or go for solid gold or solid silver to go with your Cinderella theme!

Band/DJ Backdrop

A fabulous balloon arch with a cut-out of the wicked stepmother on one end holding it and the two step-sisters on the other side. Or just pearlized pink and purple balloons with glitter sprayed on them would be fine, too.

If you are not having a DJ or band, you’ll need music, of course, so be sure you have a good-quality CD player and a lot of the tunes that are acceptable. Check and see what their favorites are, and maybe everyone can bring one favorite CD. As well, check out the Virtual Message Writer that when you hold in your hand uses lights to get everyone up and dancing.

Activities

A photo opportunity would be fun…put the new Polaroid cameras out that are instant and single-use and let everyone go to town. Have a scrapbook ready for them to put the stamp-sized photo in and leave a message.

Put up a "castle" wall where people can leave messages—just a large piece of foamcore will work (at any art store) or if you’re artistic, spray light gray and draw lines where stones would be. Provide markers so everyone can sign.

Don't forget to check out our complete list of Sweet 16 Party Games!

Candlelighting

This is very important. Of course, you’ll write something special for your 16 most important friends and relatives and call them up to light the candle. Think about giving them a rose picture frame or heart trinket box in honor of the occasion and to show how much you appreciate them!

Menu

What would they serve at a ball?? I haven’t a clue. But probably at a local prop company you can find oversized shoes you can fill with taco chips, etc., for the different buffets. Instead of worrying about what to serve, have the general "teen" stuff like a taco bar, a pasta bar, a pizza bar, etc. But don’t stop there! Make 11x17 easel back menus and call things what Cinderella or the prince would call them to show your creativity and get a few chuckles. At the top put BALL CAFÉ and then list the different choices:

Wicked Stepmother’s Pasta Primavera 
Cinderella’s "Woe is Me" Salsa
Pumpkin Pizza (hold the pumpkin)

Favors

• Personalized candy bar wrappers are an unforgettable (and delicious) favor that every guest will love.
• Glow earrings, necklaces, glasses, swizzle sticks (that can be used as bracelets or napkin rings), Lectric Rope Bracelets, Flashing Spike Necklace, glow shapes, even straws that glow—everyone will feel sweet!
• Disco Ball Necklaces and earrings—in assorted fabulous colors.
• Raindrop tiaras or headboppers—to decorate your guests.
• Blinking Guitars, Rings, Earrings, Flashing Hair Braid—to make even the dullest gown come to life!
• Tiaras (stylle one, style two)—to hang from the ceiling or put at each place!
• Sequined hats—to give to your guests and to brighten the room.
• Feather boas—for perfect photos and dress up.
• Boa slap bracelets—to match the boas, of course.
• Cameras—so that you have great shots of anyone and everyone who was there. In fact, send pictures as thank yous after the party!
• Virtual Message Writer—a must for you or your DJ!
• Wrist Streamers in multi-colors—there's nothing more fun on the dance floor!
• Crown Jewel Party Kit or Diamond Collection Party Kit—so everyone can dress up and be merry.
• Champagne Maracas—a favor and decoration in one! Great DJ prize by the way!
• Champagne Bubbles—for a fabulous atmosphere.
• Mini Nail Tattoos and Sticky Stones—they go perfectly with your friends' Sweet16 outfits. I know this for a fact!
• Multi Lite-Ropes
• Cinderella's Slippers
• Retro Birthday Plates
• Capture your party from your guests' point of view with single-use cameras. Leave one on each table and a basket by the door as people can drop them in as they leave! Think of the fun you'll have when the pictures come back.
• There's nothing better than a party that glows! The #1 favorite party favor is glow jewelry. No matter what you are celebrating, we have glow necklaces, glow glasses (very popular), bracelets and more. Check it out!

Have fun! And remember, don’t get too crazy when you’re behind the wheel (or you’re grounded for life)…