Celebrate a Sweet 16 in a different way… with a splash of color. Start by figuring out the guest of honor’s favorite color. This will be the starting point to gathering what party supplies you will need.

Let’s say the chosen color theme is blue, which will mean using as much blue as possible. Start by sending out blue invitations. Use blue numbers of 1 and 6, blue shapes, or anything to fit blue at the party supply store. It might sound like a contradiction, but actually ask guests not to wear the chosen color. This seems silly, but will be clarified later.

With your guest list covered, now it’s time to decorate. Pick a nice big room to set up in, possibly even outdoors if it is weather permitting. Cover your table with a blue tablecloth and set out vases with arrangements of blue flowers. If possible, mix as many shades of the color, in this case blue, as possible. Feel free to scatter flower petals as well.

Get creative with wall or hanging decorations following the blue theme. Under the sea is all blue, as well as the sky or even ice. Use things like paper cut-outs of moons and stars. If you’re in the aquatic type mood, perhaps dolphins and whales. Balloons come in many shades of blue, as do crepe paper. Your imagination is the only limit here.

Your menu can also match your theme. In this case selections such as blueberry pie, blue moon ice cream and a blue frosted cake would find themselves right at home. Personal favorites should of course be worked into the program, and a drop of food coloring can let you do this without missing a beat.

If you were still wondering why your guests should not follow the theme and wear blue, wait no more. By guests appearing in a rainbow of colors excluding only blue, it will make your theme even bolder. At the same time, it allows for balance and keeps things from looking like your party was simply hit by a can of blue paint.