• Create a card that won't be a snoozer.Smudge Cat Gone Amidst Writing Kitty Birthday Cards! image by Kazytc from Fotolia.com
  
  Turning 16 is a momentous occasion for both boys and girls. Plenty of theme ideas emerge out of the climactic age from the elusive right to drive to being a step closer to adulthood. With a mix of customization and universality, you can make a memorable birthday card for the 16-year-old in your life. For bonus points, include money or keys to a new car--or just reference either.
  
  

CARS

• It's a new car...photo.Headlight on new car image by steven Husk from Fotolia.com
  
  One thing that weighs heavily on many 16-year-old's minds is their impending right to operate a motor vehicle. Choose this theme for a lighthearted card that will bring the chuckles. Bringing up cars is the perfect opportunity for the old "Bait and Switch" joke. Try a simple greeting on the front of the card... and a punchline inside. One front-page idea might be to allude to a car without completely showing one--like the front of a garage or just car tires. The clincher rides on a pun. On the outside you write "I intended to get you something special for your birthday..." Inside you finish with ". . . but there wasn't enough VROOM on the gift table." Or you can go with more of a punchline response: "But no one would accept my absolutely reasonable offer!" Accompany this with a picture of someone at a dealership holding up a dollar bill.
  
  Finally, you could choose a random response that alludes to your actual gift: "So I got you a gift card to your favorite coffee place. I know. I shouldn't have."
  
  

Sweet Sixteen

• Sweets for Sixteen.Candy sweets image by hannahfelicity from Fotolia.com
  
  Go for a play on words with a true "Sweet" Sixteen card. Embellish the entire front of the card with pictures of sweet confections: cookies, candy, cake, donuts and soda.
  
  On the inside, you can include a simple greeting: "Hope your Sixteenth is SWEET."
  
  Customize this greeting by choosing the birthday girl's or boy's favorite treats to go on the front of the card. You might also attach actual pieces of wrapped candy.
  
  

16 Year of Memories

• Get out the album and dig.antikes buch image by Frank-Peter Funke from Fotolia.com
  
  If you're willing to do a little work, look back with a little retrospection. Use a snapshot of each year of life from 1 to 15 and glue in a picture with a brief anecdote. This mini-scrapbook card will be a hit and your teen is sure to remember your effort for a long time to come.