Turning 16 is a monumental point for teenage girls. You are no longer a child and are transitioning into adulthood. When you turn 16, you can get your driver’s license, get a job, donate blood, change your name, and the list goes on. Turning 16 makes you eligible to do things you could not do before. Most girls look forward to 16, not because they get to be adults, but because they get to have a 16th birthday party. These celebrations are known as Sweet Sixteens. 

Sweet Sixteens started as a tradition many decades ago as a way to mark when a girl could get married. Of course, this tradition is outdated and is no longer celebrated for such reasons, however, girls still have parties to celebrate their transition from childhood to adulthood. These parties are often extravagant and could be costly, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. This price includes a dress, venue, catering, a DJ, and whatever else the birthday girl wants. Some girls choose to have two outfits at their party, one to introduce themselves and one to dance in. 

Of course, these parties do not have to cost so much. Some families may choose to have more economical celebrations, such as backyard parties, to save money on getting a venue. The only issue with having a Sweet Sixteen in your backyard is that the number of people you can invite is limited, while at a venue, you can plan based on the number of people coming.

Having a Sweet Sixteen is a great memory for girls as they celebrate with their friends, but is it worth spending the money? I think it is worth it! You only turn 16 once, and celebrating this milestone isn’t just a birthday celebration; it is a celebration of all the things you have accomplished in the past 15 years of living. It also celebrates the many years to come. Sophomore Olivia Dacres says, “A sweet 16 is something you never forget; it’s a celebration of growth, friendship, and the transition into a new chapter of life.”

Being a teenage girl is already hard, and sometimes you feel like you don’t deserve all the good things that happen to you. A sweet sixteen is a way of telling you that you are doing a good job and that you’ve made it so far already. 

Some people choose not to have a Sweet Sixteen but get to enjoy a big birthday celebration at a different age. In the Latin culture, Quinceañeras are celebrated to mark when a girl turns 15 instead of 16. Quinceañeras are known for being even more extravagant than Sweet Sixteens. In the Jewish culture, Bat Mitzvahs are held when girls turn 13. You can have a big party at whatever age you want. Taeja Williams, a senior at Coral Glades, says, “I sometimes do regret not having a sweet 16, but since I had an 18th birthday party, it made up for the regret.” Every girl dreams of having a Sweet Sixteen, but having a party at another age is just as great!

In life, it is important to enjoy every single moment, and having a Sweet Sixteen is one way to make lifelong memories in your teenage years!