Teen Events Getting More Costly
By Jessica KoslowNot every parent can afford to spend upwards of $200,000 on a child's "Sweet 16" celebration, as seen on MTV's highly rated show, "My Super Sweet 16." But all mothers and fathers want the same result: An extra special event for their teen. Coming-of-age celebrations only happen once. For many parents, spending a lot of money on those celebrations has become the order of the day.
To inaugurate Hyatt Resorts' new HyaTTeen Suite 16 program, Andrea Bowen, who plays "Julie" on the hit TV series "Desperate Housewives" was hand picked to experience their exclusive and extravagant slumber party at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, California. The hotel chain, recognizing the trend toward unique coming-of-age parties, launched its Suite 16 program in April 2006.
The package includes a one-night accommodation in a two-bedroom suite, limo transportation, dinner for eight catered by in-room dining, a special birthday dessert, bowls of popcorn and candy, and continental breakfast the next morning. Package costs vary by property and season, and start at $2,500.
The lucky Bowen certainly appreciated the fabulous factor of her special day. "Since I spend so much time on the set, having a weekend away with my friends was the perfect way to celebrate. From hanging out on the beach getting chocolate kiss manis and pedis to hanging ten during our surf lessons, my mini-vacation with my girlfriends was the ultimate way to spend my Sweet Sixteen." [To book the Suite 16 package, call 1-800-55-HYATT and refer to offer code 6TEEN.]
Kids more sophisticated
Elizabeth Rodriguez-Kidder of Miami Events, Inc., says that in her area, some parents these days are spending in the neighborhood of $20,000 for parties to "make their kids happy." And for these parents, if their teen beams, they are happy to kiss the money good-bye.
Other party planners are seeing the same thing: kids and parents trying to one-up each other when planning coming-of-age parties. "I think people are still trying to out-do each other," says Leslee Tarlov of Tarlov Associates, Inc., a special events firm in Los Angeles.
Elsa Molano of My Quince Planner in Spring, Texas, agrees. "It's like a competition" between teens she says. Molano says she's seeing a huge increase in the extravagance of quinceañeras (when a Latina turns 15). "I get elaborate requests for fruit sculptures, custom-made centerpieces, and special china," states Molano. "I'm seeing creative themes with butterflies, polka dots, and stripes. And whereas buffets used to predominate, today's families prefer sit-down dinners," she says.
Quinceañeras more elaborate
"Girls celebrating their quinceañeras are also moving away from the traditional white and ivory dresses and choosing bright colors like orange, flamingo pink, and lime green. For entertainment, some parents are now paying more for a live band than for the facility," she says. Molano reports that on average, her clients spend about $14,000 per quincieñera celebration.
In Miami, Rodriguez-Kidder is observing similar trends. "The girls want to be princesses, but not in a little-girl kind of way; they want a more grown-up type of theme." She also sees fewer white dresses, although in Miami, the teens currently favor pastel blues and pinks. Her clients almost all insist on a DJ so the kids can dance to the hot songs they hear on the radio.
L.A. event planner Leslee Tarlov receives similar music requests from her Bar and Bat Mitzvah clients. "Absolutely, a DJ," she emphasizes. "There are a lot of DJs now that really put on a whole show, interacting with the kids and keeping them busy for hours."
While the kids care more about the party activities, it's the parents who focus on the food. Tarlov says that in her experience, menu choices now reflect a back-to-the-basics trend: meat and potatoes. These days, she says, caterers aren't planning separate menus for kids and adults. "Kids' palettes are so much more sophisticated now that it becomes less necessary."
Sophisticated or not, kids everywhere apparently still love chocolate. Corinne Futerman, owner of Corinne's Concepts in Catering, in Huntington Station, New York, says she's noticing a new must-have at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in the New York area: a chocolate fondue fountain. "Everyone requests it," she maintains.
Spend on what matters most
For sure, the costs of coming-of-age parties seem to be spiraling right now—at least in some of the more affluent metro areas of the country. It is, however, possible to help keep some of those costs under control, Tarlov asserts.
"When you are involved in the planning process, every little thing seems essential and necessary," she says. "Focus on the things that will make a difference–the things that attendees will actually notice," Tarlov advises.
"It helps to step away for a minute. Look at it from an outsider's perspective. You'll realize that the under cloth for the tables, the one that will be underneath the table cloth, does not have to be expensive silk," she maintains. Forget about those kinds of add-ons, Tarlov emphasizes.
Instead, focus the party budget on those aspects of the celebration that will make it more enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
Comments
janetsmom says:
I have a question about how you handle it when your daughter is going to a lot of Sweet Sixteens. My daughter wants a new dress for each one, which is a lot of money. She is willing to pay some of it by spending the money she earns from babysitting, but it's still a fortune. What do other moms do?
Kriska says:
We set a limit on the number of dresses my daughter could have. I told her I thought 4 dresses was more than enough and if she wanted to make them look different, she should choose dresses that would look different with different jewelry and accessories. So far, that is working, and she has gone to about six parties.
FrancineT36 says:
Wow, my daughter's friends are starting to plan Sweet Sixteens. I had no idea it was such a big deal.
sally says:
We never had these when I was growing up, but it is big now. I'm going to set limits on what my daughter can spend. Otherwise it gets crazy.
luvbyrd says:
I agree with Kriska. You have to pick a number and stick to it.
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