Teens are expensive. From their car insurance to that new pair of jeans they need to the fact that you have to keep a whole refrigerator full of food for them, any parent of a teenager knows they can drain your wallet in no time. Even though you want to celebrate each passing year with a fabulous party, if you can do it even cheaper, that would be even better. Tap into your teen’s interests and how he likes to spend his time anyway and put together a simple party that will make him feel special and indulged, without leaking the last dollar from your bank account.
Why
Teenage life is synonymous with independence. The last thing she wants at her party is a gimmick or parental interference. No matter how hard you try you are not going to be cool, anyway. A hands-off approach will save you money and frustration. Use that extra bit of money on a great gift that will rock his socks.
Activities
A lot of party entertainment is just sitting around the house, waiting to be used to amuse your guests. Teens don’t need novel games and prizes. Set up your own karaoke machine, or one from a friend, in your den or living room. Let your aspiring stars rock all night long. Pull out a football and host a backyard game for your jock and his buddies.
Food
Your pantry and freezer may already be stocked with all you need to feed guests. Frozen pizzas, pastry pockets and other frozen snacks will satisfy hungry teens. Let junk food be your theme. For a more elaborate option, pull together tacos or pasta dishes from whatever you have on hand. Budding chefs may enjoy baking cookies or brownies for dessert.
Who This Works For
If your teen has a small close-knit group of friends, this type of party is great for them. Your teen already enjoys spending time with them, even doing something simple like playing a video game or card games. These groups don’t require a lot of attention, since you know and trust the other teens. This doesn’t work as well for a large group, where drama is inevitable.
Location
Your home is the easiest place for a teen’s birthday party, but it doesn’t have to be the only place. If you host a scavenger hunt, you can bring the kids to the local mall to take digital pictures of the items they find on the list. They can also go door-to-door in the neighborhood or go to a local park. Look around your town for public facilities, such as a skate park or beach, and host the party there.
Photo Credit
- teen on the party with noise-maker image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
