$500 Sweet 16 Budget Help

by Maggie
(Austin, Texas, USA)

Hi, so I'm turning 16 in the middle of May.


I realize that it's super late to start planning, but that's because, like a lot of teenagers, I have a problem with procrastination.


My parents need to "talk about it" before determining our budget, but they say $500, more or less.


So I need something that we can plan in a little under a month, that won't go over about $500 or so.


Also, I think it would be best to point out that there are going to be a few guys there, and the one that I'm in love with has asked me multiple times if I'm going to invite him, so I'm guessing that he wants to go.


The thing is, he's not into Lady Gaga and Katy Perry like most of my friends.


He's not into rap and he's not into modern rock, either. He (very enthusiastically) likes things like Led Zeppelin and Smashing Pumpkins, neither of which I like.


He also doesn't own any non-jeans outfits, with the exception of a tuxedo. I guess I just wanted to use him as an example because he's not the only person of that type that's going to be there.


So if I decide to have music-based party (like a dance or something), that presents a problem. My mom's a little worried that not enough people will come.


I'm not really very concerned about that because I have more friends than she thinks (I just don't hang out with them outside of school), but I thought I should add that in anyway.


I also know that if I DO have a dance party kind of thing, but I do know that I want a big poofy pink dress.