• Use unconventional ideas to celebrate your teen's 15th birthday.birthday image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
  
  In many Hispanic cultures, a girl's 15th birthday--also known as quinceañera--is an important coming-of-age event. Whether you plan to honor a quinceañera or just want to celebrate your teen's special day, choose unusual ideas to create a memorable 15th birthday party.
  
  

Number 15 Party

• Have a party based on the number 15. Invite 15 guests, offer 15 types of treats, foods or snacks, and include 15 of each decoration. For example, decorate the party venue with 15 balloons and 15 streamer strands. For the party menu, it does not matter what type of food you choose, as long as the guest of honor--and his friends--will enjoy it. Try simple items to keep preparation at a minimum. Consider serving cake, chips, M&Ms, crackers, flavored popcorn or guacamole and nachos. If you offer 15 different selections, you won't need to serve as much of each option.
  
  

15th Century Masquerade Ball

• For a fun twist on the common costume party, hold a masquerade ball based on the 15th century. This unusual idea plays on the fact that the party is honoring a 15th birthday. In the invitations, ask your guests to wear costumes that reflect medieval and Renaissance clothing. Include a mask with each invitation. Ask guests to decorate the mask as little or as much as they want before the party. Hold a costume and mask contest. Give out prizes for the best costume and the best mask.
  
  

15-Hour Sleepover

• In honor of the guest of honor's 15th birthday, hold a 15-hour sleepover. Start the sleepover on the first quarter hour to continue the theme. For example, start the party at 7:15 p.m. and send the girls home at 10:15 a.m. Start different activities on the quarter hour. For example, at 7:15 p.m., serve dinner and cake. At 8:15 p.m., let the birthday girl open presents. At 9:15 p.m., start playing a party game.