Sweet 16 Parties: The "Super Sweet" or Candy Shop Theme

Teens this age adore eye-popping color schemes. They also know all the trendy combos, and Candy Land parties are all about color. Embrace the madness of a real candy shop and bring in all the primaries, or focus on citrusy, bright combinations like pink and orange, pink and aqua or (here we go again) pink and lime green. Or dust off that warm and feminine favorite, pink and chocolate brown.

Now that you've got your color scheme down, how to bring it to life? Color up the room using tricks from casual-chic weddings: hang bright paper lanterns or tissue paper flowers all around the room. You can also fill clear glass cylinders with bright colored water and a few simple, modern flowers.

But by far the biggest Candy Land bang for your buck is candy-theme balloons -- you'll find latex and mylar inflatable versions of M&Ms, Hershey's Kisses and Skittles, for starters. Then, there's the candy balloon lanterns. Best of all? eBay's got 'em!

Decorating for a candy shop theme is a blast ... the trick is to blow up small treats into larger-than-life size.

For easy ways to create giant candy (or make or buy for cheap), check out Candy Land prom theme links or our special collection of resources below.

Think: big foam-board "candy" wrapped in colored cellophane. You can even glue or tape two paper plates together and wrap in cellphone in a pinch!

Then, ponder super-size foam board chocolate bars, and enormous "lollipops" or gumdrops studding the lawn as your guests eagerly walk up the path.

For giant gumdrops, buy large foam balls. Cut the bottom flat, spray with pastel paint and cover with glitter.

Another clever idea making the rounds: fill a large, clear bag (like a clean trash bag) with round or oblong balloons. Tie off and add a label, like "Jelly Beans," "Jujubes" or "Good & Plenty".

Finally, give a call to your local prop shops. A white wooden bridge makes an awesome transition when dressed up Candy Land style, and your shops might have other giant items, like cardboard candy cutouts or giant peppermint sticks.

Candy centerpieces are fun and super-quick to put together. Start with big swirl lollipops (the carnival kind) in a galvanized bucket. Or candy roses in a flower pot.

Cupcakes are perfect for stuffing dramatic stick candy into (lollipops, swizzle sticks). Place on tiered pastry platters for big drama.

Use candy bracelets as napkin rings, and place a giant ring pop on each napkin. A few oversized margarita glasses on each table, filled with contrasting candy layers, will look cute and chic.

Do your DD's BFFs have a sense of humor? Candy Land's even more fun if the guests go a little wild with their attire. See if the girls can each suss out a bright, shiny prom dress (thrifted) ahead of time, in bright candy colors. Even better for the pics? Suggest they're paired with contrasting or candy-striped tights.

When they show up, hand out door prizes like eye shadow in outrageous shimmers, like green, blue or fuchsia, candy-flavored lip gloss, and nail polish. If there's a mirror in the house, they'll go to town. Have a digital camera and photo printer handy, and snap the results. Send each girl home with a pretty place card frame filled with her favorite shot.

Splurge: hand out a candy bar to each girl. Beforehand, you've slipped a "golden ticket" under one of the wrappers. The lucky winner goes home with a candy-colored iPod Nano.

Candy Land Sweet 16 Cake by Pink Cake Box