A fiftieth birthday party can be fun for everyone who attends, especially if it's a surprise. All you need is a little foresight, planning, and a checklist.
1) Find a date and location
Planning for a 50th birthday party can be fun. The party itself is generally more fun for a man than a woman, but women with a good sense of humor can enjoy being roasted at a party to honor their mid-century years. If it's a surprise party, you will need to coordinate dates with the family of the celebrant and think up an excuse for that person to be available for the day – perhaps you could tell them you want to treat them to a small birthday dinner.
Arrangements for the party should begin three to six months before. If you plan on inviting a large crowd, you will need a big party house or recreation hall. If it's a summer party, you could plan it for outdoors in someone's yard, but you should order a tent in case of rain or the rays of a too-hot sun shining down on them.
2) Decide on a theme
If the birthday person enjoys golfing, fishing, bowling or another type of recreation, that could be the theme for the party. If the family is going in together and buying the person a trip to a tropical island, a tropical theme could be used. Of course, there are always the black-colored decorations, and the ones that say "over the hill."
Once your theme is decided, visit a party theme store and purchase coordinated invitations, decorations, plates and napkins. If your budget is limited or you are crafty, you can make your own decorations.
3) Create a guest list
If it's a surprise party, contact the family of the birthday person (if it's not you) and get names and addresses of all his/her family and friends. Don't forget co-workers if the party is to be large. If the person is aware of the party, he/she can supply the guest list.
4) Decide on an appropriate menu
Fortunately, 50 is the new 35 or so they say, and the menu could include any type of food. Consider the birthday person's parents and older relatives when planning a meal, and if it will be informal, include mild wings with suicide wings, and always include a salad with various types of dressings for those dieting. Between Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers and the Best Life Diet, you will need to accommodate everyone.
5) Mail invitations
Mail out invitations about a month to six weeks before the party, requesting immediate RSVP's so you can plan for the number of guests. Do you want them to bring gifts? If not, mention it on the invitation, but you can be sure gifts will be brought anyway. If the birthday person is embarrassed by real gifts, specify on the invitation that they may bring gag gifts.
6) Arrange accommodations for out-of-towners
If attendees are coming from out of town and aren't familiar with the area, you may need to help them find accommodations. For everyone coming in from distances more than an hour away, include a map of the area. Family members would be expected to stay with family, but now and then this is not possible.
7) Order a cake
If the party is to have a theme, order a birthday cake with that theme noted in the icing. Or simply a large birthday cake with a big 5-0 would be appropriate. The cake should be ordered as soon as you have an estimate of how many people are coming. If you are making the cake yourself, keep in mind that one cake mix serves about 12 people, so prepare accordingly.
8) Take photos
Most people will bring cameras, but to be sure you have photos of the event, have your own camera loaded with film and new batteries. You can also buy a few inexpensive disposable cameras to place on the tables for guests to take varying views of pictures of the celebration. If the party is a surprise, have two or three people standing in at the entrance to the party. You'll want to register his surprise in more than one photo. Also, if the person receives gag gifts, photos of these can create priceless memories.
9) Table decorations
Table cloths should be festive and carry the theme of the party. If it's a tropical theme, there are many cloths with palm tree motifs, as well as matching napkins. If it's a hunting or fishing theme, small toy deer or fish can adorn the table tops. Use your imagination.
You can also use birthday party favors for table decorations. One idea that will add personalized touch is personalized 50th birthday mint tins. Another is personalized theme playing cards. Personalized chocolate coins can accent the table with color. 50th bottle stoppers and key chains will also add a nice touch.
10) Arrange for end-of-party tasks
The person who hosts the party should gather up the disposable cameras and have the film developed, then put the photos in an album and present it as an additional birthday gift. Never make the guest of honor pay for any part of his or her own birthday party.
Help take any gifts to the car, and make sure all out-of-town guests know where they will be staying after the party. Give them a card with your or the birthday person's phone and/or cell phone number on it in case they have difficulty or get lost.
S Canfield, owner of Accent the Party selling many different types and themes of unique wedding party favors, bridal shower favors and birthday party favors.
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