It doesn’t have to be difficult to throw a 50th birthday party. However, this is a very important occasion and you want the party to be special. Here’s a step-by-step plan that makes throwing a 50th birthday party easy, fun, and memorable.
First you need to decide your budget. This is where most people make their big mistake when planning a party. They start with great ideas, commit, and then find that halfway through they run out of money and have to start cutting corners. Decide how much you can spend first.
Next, consider the guest of honor. Is this a fun loving person or are they low key? Will they be okay with a big party with lots of guests, a surprise party or just want a simple and quiet event?
With the guest of honor in mind, decide on your theme. This will be very important and everything happens after this decision is made. Theme ideas that are very popular at 50th birthday parties include: casino night, Mexican party, Hawaiian luau, memory lane, barbecue, black and white formal party, birthday party, beer or wine tasting, a murder mystery party, a fifties party. Sock Hop or Grease Party (yes, even adults like this!).
Perhaps you would like to have the event at a fun location: a baseball or football game, a horse race track, a soccer game, or a basketball event. Again, keep in mind what the guest of honor enjoys.
You can rent a limousine and dine in the surrounding area where you visit different restaurants. Visit a different place for appetizers, main course, dessert, and maybe a dance at the end.
Once you have selected your theme, you need to decide where it will take place. Will you be using your own home, a friend’s home, a rented space, or a public area such as a park?
Now is the time to design your 50th birthday party invitations. There are many templates that you can find online and make your own or visit a local print shop that will do a very professional job for you.
It’s time to decide on your guests. If it’s not a surprise party, it’s always best to ask the guest of honor who they want to invite. Depending on your theme, you may want to consider inviting people who will interact well together.
Now think about how the food and drink will be handled. Are you, as the host, going to take care of this or have him attend to it? What will your food and drink options be?
It’s a good idea to draw a small map where everything will be located for the party. Identify places for the bar, food, dancing and entertainment. Think about your room and flow so that everything works.
Do you need to rent equipment such as chairs, tables, bar, dance floor? Quickly find the right providers that fit your budget. Make sure they are reliable and check their references.
Will there be entertainment or games for the guests? Think about how this will work at the party and make advance arrangements as necessary.
Decide what you will use for decorations and where you can buy them at the best price. Buy them early and don’t wait until the last minute. If the party is at night and outdoors, be sure to take into account adequate lighting and even the need for heaters if it will be cold.
Finally, think about the day of the event and make a list of what needs to happen. Do this several days before the party. Before the start of the party, you can check off each item as it is completed.
Follow these steps, and your 50th birthday party is sure to be the most fun and memorable event of all.
