Tips for Planning a 2010 New Year's Eve Party for Teenagers

Teenagers more then anything want to be able to ring in the New Year like the adults do with a fantastic party that involves dancing, games and much more. However the only problem with planning a teen New Year party is trying to make it age appropriate. I have some great tips on how to plan a great 2010 New Year's Eve Party for teenagers that will allow you to stop stressing over each and every detail.

Tip 1: Invitations
Now that we are dealing with teens, you do not want to go out and buy those cute little teddy bear invitations to send to kids so they can laugh and make fun of them. The cool new way to invite people to a party is doing it on-line. Head on over to www.evite.com and check out their New Year's selection of invitations you can send to people free of charge. Most kids are able to access a computer and have an email address so this will work out great! Also it has a way for the kids to respond even if they can not come so you will be well informed on how many guests will attend. Send out the evites at no later then a week prior to the party.

Tip 2: Food
Teenagers are a messy bunch and still they have alot of picky tendencies when it comes to food. Stick with finger foods like pigs in a blanket, mini pizza bites, mozzarella cheese sticks, veggie plates, chips and dips and fruit trays. Make sure you have dipping sauces as well because teenagers love to dip all their food!

Tip 3: Eating Time
Do not serve dinner at a set time. Most teens want to feel like that have a little freedom. Allow the food you are serving to be set up on a table in a buffet style and have the plates and napkins at one end so they can get their food whenever they would like.

Tip 4: Drinks
You can choose many options here. First you can either have 2-liters set up at the end of the table and allow the teens to pour their own choice of drink. If you choose this make sure you put the ice in a cooler beside the table so the ice won't melt in the cups. Second, you could have a mixed punch drink in a big bowl with ladles to dip out the punch from. This works well if you buy champaign glasses for the teens. It will make them feel more grown-up. If you buy those types of glasses though, make sure they are the plastic ones! Teenagers still have a tendency to break things!

Tip 5: Music
Every teen has their own taste of music so I would not suggest you play a CD, however unless you want to be changing out the music every 4 minutes or so. I would suggest you either allow the children listen to a radio station of their choice. Another great idea is to look into getting a dee-jay to play the event. Sometimes you can even get one of the teenagers to partake in this job because they will be doing something that they love.

Tip 6: Dancing
Teenagers are going to want to dance at this party. It might take them a little while to open up about it, but I can guarantee by the end of the night they are going to break out the newest dance move. The tip for this is to allow them to have the ability to dance the night away. Make sure there is a section cleared off and marked where the dance floor will be at.

Tip 7: Venue
I know this should be one of the first tips on my list, however I forgot it until now and didn't want to leave out this vital information. Make sure you pick a location that will house the amount of teenagers that are going to be attending this party. At the door make sure you have a check list on who was invited and who is going to be there. I promise you this, at least 10 kids will try to crash this party! I had a party back when I was 13, and I only invited 20 people from school. Once the party started, we ended up having over 100 kids show up! If you do not control the crowd situation from the get go, you will have an out of control teen fest!

Tip 8: Games
Most teenagers do not want to play those silly games like pin the tail on the donkey or who's shoe is this, they are trying to step foot into adult hood and we need to embrace that. In different areas of the location you are having the party, have game sections set up. In one area have board games on a table that include scrabble, monopoly, Disney trivia and so forth. At another section of the venue have a Wii game console set up. If you do not have a Wii system then use whatever system you have. You also can look into renting one for the nights events at your local party store.

Tip 9: Decorations
Do not waste to much money in this area. Teenagers are not going to care if the crate paper is matching the balloons and the ties on the balloons are curled on the end. Just have some festive table cloths, a few centerpieces, and even a table set up that has noise makers and party hats and favors on it.

Tip 10: Clean Up
Make sure your teen guests know the exact time the party ends so their parents will be there to pick them up. You can ask the teens to help out in the clean-up, however do not be surprised if they do not want to. At this age you are just biting teeth and nails to get them to smile. Make sure though once the clean-up process starts you just be patient and take your time because there will always be a few stragglers waiting on their parents well after the pick up time has passed. If it has became too late, then make sure you have the parents phone numbers on hand so you can give them a call. If they don't answer then leave them a message that you are taking the children back to your house. By then they will know where to come get them.

Tip 11: Basic Rule
Stay calm and remain patient. Teens feed off of fear so if they see you acting crazy and nuts they will eventually walk all over you. Just remind yourself that the night does not last forever and you will soon have this party wrapped up and then you can start praying that next year someone will take on this task so you can be allowed to go out and have an adult New Year's Eve!