A teen's 16th birthday marks an important transitional year. Whether you do a "sweet 16" party for your daughter or a bash for your son, try to remember that 16-year-olds consider themselves very grown up.

Instructions:

1. Step 1

   Sit down with your teen and establish what would make an ideal celebration for both of you.

2. Step 2

   Discuss issues such as noise levels, curfew and appropriate behaviors with your teen before the celebration. Decide if you want to have a special theme for the party, such as a luau or a car inspired party. If you go with a theme, adapt all things that go with the party to that theme, such as invitations, music, food and drinks.

3. Step 3

   Devise a guest list based on your available space and your child's list of critical invitees.

4. Step 4

   Consider a creative location for the party, such as the beach, a roller-skating or ice-skating rink, a bowling alley or a local pizza place.

5. Step 5

   Send out invitations at least two weeks in advance.

6. Step 6

   Devise a menu and buy more food than you think you'll need, especially if teenage boys are coming to the party.

7. Step 7

   If you don't want to cook, order pizza - always a teenage crowd-pleaser.

8. Step 8

   Jazz up the drinks. Although teens will drink a lot of soda, you might want to serve punch or sparkling cider to add to the festive mood.

9. Step 9

   For background or dancing music, buy blank CDs and have your teen and his or her friends make mixes of favorite songs.

10. Step 10

    Consider something special like renting a strobe light and clearing the living room for dancing.

11. Step 11

    Order or make a special cake. This is a milestone birthday.

12. Step 12

    At the party, keep a low profile, but let your presence be known.