T.F.
For our daughter's 13th, she dreamed of having a dance party with a DJ. SO, we had a dance party with a DJ and a lot of food and prizes at our country club. This was the last BIG party she had or asked for.
We expected something at 16 and 18 but by 16, her interest was all about the driver's license and at 18, it was all about being legal age. At 16, we took a few friends to dinner. At 18, she took a few friends to dinner, they got all dressed up, the restaurant put them in a private room and really treated them well. Each of these parties had about 6 girls total and of course we treated everyone 100% as far as picking up the tab, etc.
Before age 13, we did 2 limo parties that were a huge hit. The limo would pick each girl up at her home (not more than 10 total), then ride them over town, etc. The first year, they came back to our house and slept over. The second one, the limo dropped them off at a nice hotel... I had a suite so they could have their own space but were properly chaperoned......we enjoyed the pool, shopping, dinner, ice cream, late night movies and late night room service (6 girls).
It just depends on what your soon to be teen wants to do? has she given you any ideas? When is her birthday?
We also did a costume party in our back yard with a DJ once that was a lot of fun.
One thing I highly recommend if you have having teen parties... PAY an off duty police officer to be there. It is not much money and it keeps things under control. For instance.. our rule.. (a common rule in our area) ... if you leave the party for any reason.... you are not allowed back in....you stay out and parents are notified . This rule was CLEAR to parents as well.
At all the school dances, proms, etc in our area....this is a basic rule... It keeps the good kids good and it keeps the kids who were planning to bring in alcohol, drugs, etc.. on notice because at school events, the drug dogs are used as well.
Have fun and I hope your daughter enjoys!