“The Sweet Sixteen” is an enamored tradition that acts as a segway into the latter half of your teenage years. However, in recent years, this celebration has suffered a decline in popularity, leaving what used to be an over-the-top day just like any other.

There’s a variety of reasons that teenagers have leaned towards a smaller approach to the “sweet sixteen,” but a recurring theme appears to be the lean towards a low key event rather than one hundred different people that you don’t talk to on a day-to-day basis.

“I wanted to do a party,” said sophomore Chayton Cheers. “But as I’ve gotten older, my priorities have changed, and I thought the best idea would be a small dinner to hang out with my family and friends.”

Despite the recent trend toward smaller, more intimate parties, there are still lots of people who want their sixteenth to be memorable. Whether it’s because you have a large friend group or even family, it can be hard for some people to pick and choose who they want to invite, so for them, it’s better to invite everyone.

“I chose to have a big party for my sixteenth birthday because it’s a milestone,” said sophomore Alexis Alford. “You’re only sixteen once. Most of the people that came to my party I have been friends with my whole life, and it was an enjoyable time to celebrate with them and have fun.”

When deciding between having a small get-together or a large, over-the-top party, a big concern is money. With the stigma of having a big party fading, parents don’t have to stress about breaking the bank with a single party. Leaving the choice to the families and kids themselves on their big day.

“I think the reason that we’ve seen a decline in big parties is the cost,” said Alford. “Everything is so expensive, and it seems like the price of everything is going higher and higher, which doesn’t allow a lot of people to spend fifteen hundred dollars on just a birthday party.”

Turning sixteen is one of the most important birthdays in every teenager’s life. No matter the route you decide to take when choosing how you want to celebrate, it’s important to think about what matters to you and commemorate it in your own special way.

“Sweet sixteens are a milestone,” said sophomore Kaylee Gore. “It’s the age that every kid dreams of finally turning, and it comes with a new sense of freedom.”