Throwing a party for teenagers can seem daunting and daunting, but if you plan everything in detail, it can be a huge success! Here are some basic tips for throwing a party that your child and their friends will remember forever!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Planning the Party
Step 1. Consider having a second chaperone
Controlling a teen party without spoiling the atmosphere requires a balanced and positive attitude. Another pair of eyes are useful to avoid looking agitated; moreover, together you can better control the situation without attracting attention. If it is a mixed party, it may be helpful to have a companion of another gender to better handle any problematic situations.
If you know a teenager who is older than the others or a 20-year-old you trust, recruit him as a second chaperone. Explain the rules to the revelers, then go upstairs or to a room away from the party. Check back every now and then, with the excuse of taking something from the refrigerator
Step 2. Establish a budget for the party
Plan everything with your child so that he or she feels involved. On the plus side, teen-favorite foods (like chips, fizzy drinks, sandwiches, and pizza) don't weigh on your wallet too much.
- How much should you spend on food? And for the decorations? And for the activities? Plan each expense in detail to prevent your budget from being turned upside down.
- Fortunately, themed parties are no longer in vogue among teenagers, so you can throw a normal event unless your child has different requests.
Step 3. Find the right place for the party
If your child prefers a party for a few close friends, your home should be fine. If you want to throw a big party, you could bring picnic tables and barbecues to the park (for an outdoor event), or rent a club room (for a more formal party).
Don't get caught unprepared by bad weather. If you organize the party outdoors (in the park, in the garden or in the backyard), make sure there is a gazebo in case it rains. Otherwise, you will have to bring the guests to your home
Step 4. Make the guest list
How many teenagers would you like to invite your child? How many could you handle without difficulty? Find a compromise and discuss in depth to decide the basic rules of the party in advance, so you will have less trouble dealing with any troublemakers.
- Be prepared for a couple of extra, or last-minute guests. The news of a party, especially among teenagers, goes from word to mouth, and the number of guests could slowly rise. Be ready and prepare a contingency plan.
- You don't have to consider only the number of guests, but also the availability of parking. If your yard can accommodate 20 people, the driveway may not be wide enough for that many cars.
- Don't allow your child to invite someone who makes you uncomfortable.
Step 5. Decide on the date and time of the party
By establishing a time for the start, but also one for the end, of the event, it will be easier to get rid of the last guests.
- Set two different types of timetables: one flexible and one rigid. At the stroke of the flexible schedule, your child, or the second companion, will have to start gathering the guests, gently inviting them to leave the party, while at the stroke of the rigid schedule, the party must be definitively over.
- Try to organize the party at the beginning of the weekend or during the holidays so that guests don't have to worry about getting up early for school the next day.
- Also, try to find out if other friends or classmates of your child are planning a party for the same date; it would be unfortunate if, due to a concomitant event, no one showed up at your child's party.
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Inform the neighbors in advance.
That way, they should be more understanding if there is a lot of noise.
Step 6. Let your child do the invitations
The classic paper invitation is not very popular among teenagers, especially if it comes from a parent. Allow your child to invite their friends via text message, email, Facebook etc. You just have to make sure they are personal invitations, so that no one gets mailed to the party. Ask for a confirmation of attendance to get a pretty clear idea of how many people will show up.
Be understanding and adapt to the situation. Teens aren't known for punctuality or consistency, so don't be surprised if too many or fewer people show up than expected
Step 7. Hide all valuables
If you are hosting a large party, remove all fragile and expensive items from the environment where the event will take place. Generally, teens don't create too many problems, but there are never too many precautions: hide all valuables to prevent them from breaking or being stolen.
Step 8. Prepare the party environment
Theoretically, you should set up an area for dancing, one for eating and drinking, and one for recreational activities, such as table tennis, video games, Wii and Guitar Hero. If you've set up a barbecue outside, why not turn it into an alternative activity? Guests will have the opportunity to independently cook their own sausages, having fun all together. Your child's advice will be essential to organize this location, because he will know exactly the preferences of the guests.
- If your child gives you the green light for decorations, look for some cheap solutions in thrift shops and "All for One Euro" stores, as decorations are generally quite expensive.
- Place large enough waste bins in clearly visible places, and make sure that the directions for separate collection are clear. This way, they will have fewer excuses to create disorder.
- Purchase a dimmer to adjust the intensity of the lighting. Boys who dance, in the presence of light, tend to hide like cockroaches. To avoid having to keep them off, with the consequences that could derive from them, use a useful intensity variator to meet every need.
Step 9. A stereo system is essential
You will only need decent speakers and an mp3 player. Don't try to become a DJ: any kid will have hundreds (if not thousands) of songs on their iPod or mobile phone; besides, nobody would like to hear your improvisations.
Step 10. Set up the tables with food
Teens love to wander around, so a buffet will make them happy: they can eat while on the go and choose the dishes they prefer. Chips, dips and pretzels are perfect for buffets, but be sure to also make some dips or vegetable-based dishes for athletes and those who care about the figure. Remember to also include desserts, such as candies, cakes and chocolate, in the buffet.
Use disposable plates, glasses, and napkins to make it easier to clean up after the party
Part 2 of 2: During and After the Party
Step 1. Stay calm during the party
Be prepared for noise, spilled sodas, broken objects, and arguments. While a teen party should always be adult controlled, avoid getting too involved. Let them have fun without feeling embarrassed.
- Get your kids to come to you when the need arises. Give them the responsibility to warn you in case something goes wrong.
- There is always the possibility that someone will bring alcohol or drugs to a party. If you trust your child and know that he or she is dating reputable and responsible teens, you probably won't have any such problems. If this happens, you don't have to blame your child - observe the situation and if you notice drugs or alcohol that you don't approve of, stay calm, politely asking those responsible to leave. If they resist, call the police.
Step 2. During the party, avoid showing your affection towards your teens
Watching them have fun and interact with their friends might lead you to be sentimental, but put aside any kind of cheesy gimmick. Kisses, hugs and pet names could undermine their sense of independence. Dampen them as much as possible.
Step 3. Avoid surprises
Your kids probably have a clear idea of how they want the party to go, so don't try to surprise them with mimes and whatnot. By the way, they are likely not to find the surprises organized by adults exciting.
Step 4. Let your child do the cleaning
It will be the price to pay for having a great party. If possible, make the operations fun.
Cleaning up the room to the rhythm of music, with a movie in the background or with a close-knit group of friends will certainly be less boring. Also, six / eight hands are always better than two
Step 5. Encourage your child to behave well
Let him know that you will be happy to have him attend the next party, or to give him more responsibility, if he demonstrates a mature attitude. Life is made up of risks and rewards, even if you are not an economist, your child is fully aware of it.
Advice
- Keep younger children away from the party. Your teenage son has no intention of looking after his siblings while he tries to have fun with friends.
- Make sure you don't run out of food!
- Trust your child and remember that you too were once young. In any case, consider that this is a new generation and is very different from the previous ones.
- Parties don't always go as expected. Remember it!
- If you want to liven up the garden, add some indoor and outdoor lanterns, or solar powered lights.
- Remember that you are responsible for any problems caused by guests.
- There must be at least one companion to the party. Teens may go wild all of a sudden, so try to be around without getting too noticed unless there is a problem.
- If a fight breaks out, stay calm. Listen to the versions of all the guys involved and try to find a solution. If the fight continues, call their parents.
Warnings
- Don't expect the party to have a specific time. Scheduling can be helpful, but let the kids do as they please. They don't need strict rules to have fun. They will find something to do anyway. If the party goes on too long, you can kindly invite the kids to leave.
- Teenage tip: If a fight starts, kindly explain to the fights that they are ruining your party and they need to stop. If that doesn't work, call your parents.
- If there is going to be a sleepover after the party, you need to establish with your child the number of people they will be staying, the time when the parents will come back for them and all the other details.
