DD turned 16 a few weeks ago. She wanted to do brunch with her girl friends, so that's what they did. They wandered around the mall for a few hours after. The guy friends were a bit hurt by not being included although they had no interest in any of that, so after the girls got back, the guys came home, and they hung out and played games for a few hours.

My kid is gonna be 16 this year and has told us she wants a party. 😳 I guess it’s a thing in her group. But she will be the first of her friends to turn 16. Usually we take her and some friends out to dinner so not sure what she’s expecting. I think those DC River cruises can be fun.

It won’t be at a hotel or country club, maybe a backyard bbq. Or maybe I’ll save that for graduation lol

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be full of the same people who crow endlessly about how they give a want a need a book and a clothes item for Christmas. Yes! We are so very impressed with your minimalism! You are definitely better than us!!!!

That's the TikTok-influencer crowd, not minimalism. Your teen may not need or want a new book or clothing item mid-season. Buying categorically and not based on need is not minimalist.

My daughters each had a family party just like any other year.

But my youngest daughter attended 3 sweet 16's. One was her best friends who's grandmother paid for it and they spent $10k. Her best friends sister had hers 2 years ago and the grandmother paid $10k also. Then another good friend probably spent between $5-$8k which im estimating on where she had it and guests attended etc..

I let mine throw a house party while we weren’t at home. Let’s just say I had no idea she knew that many people. Probably a bad idea though

Sweet 16s are very much based on geographical location and they are a thing or not based on what the prevailing culture is. Growing up, so many of my teen weekends were going to fun parties with friends, dancing with groups of guys and girls (remember those cheesy konga lines, plastic lays/ guitars, sunglasses and top hats?! ) Kicking up your legs in a circle to frank sinatra and singing along to NY, NY. Slow dancing with the boy you liked. Candle ceremonies. Sounds totally cheesy and overdone, but I had the absolute best memories! Do whatever you want! YOLO

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be full of the same people who crow endlessly about how they give a want a need a book and a clothes item for Christmas. Yes! We are so very impressed with your minimalism! You are definitely better than us!!!!

Uh no. My teens don’t want me throwing them birthday parties at this age. My son and his friends stopped celebrating birthdays at very young ages. My daughter’s friends in HS did a mix of all different things. Some had get togethers at houses, there were some sleepovers, some went out to dinner with friends at places already mentioned or more casual places, some went on family trips, some went to the movies or mall, some did nothing. None had a specific sweet 16 party.

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has a leap day birthday and her next real birthday will be when she’s 16 - so you bet we’re making it special. She looks forward to a big party every four years

Lol no she is turning 4! 😂❤️

My daughter has a leap day birthday and her next real birthday will be when she’s 16 - so you bet we’re making it special. She looks forward to a big party every four years

Anonymous wrote:This thread will be full of the same people who crow endlessly about how they give a want a need a book and a clothes item for Christmas. Yes! We are so very impressed with your minimalism! You are definitely better than us!!!!

No one can make your feel inferior without your consent. So maybe take a look at your own feelings.

No one has to do a sweet 16.