Adult Birthday Party Ideas| Help Me Host It | Party Ideas, themes, tips and more.

Planning

Birthday parties are fun. Let's repeat… Birthday parties are FUN. One more time, Birthday parties are FFFUUUUUNNNN!!!! They aren't deep, they aren't life altering - their sole purpose for being is to celebrate: 1) that you are a year older (for the young); 2) that it's the anniversary of your birth (for the middle age); or 3) that you made it another year (for the older folks). It's basically simply a celebration of life in periods of one year. Some people relish the day, some approach it with trepidation - but whether the number may be big or small, everyone usually loves a party.

What is your "Party Picture"? - Adult Birthday Party

Celebrating a Birthday is entertaining centered on an individual - you are celebrating their age.

Another year older, woo hoo! (20 somethings…)
Another year, wo hoo! (30 somethings and 40 somethings…)
I have something to celebrate, but we don't need to say what, woo hoo! (50 somethings and 60 somethings)
I am silver, I am sexy, so what if I don't have my own teeth, woo hoo! (70 somethings)
I am alive, woo hoo! (80 somethings and up)

Kidding aside, a birthday is personal to the individual whose gotten a year older. Where do they fit in the scenario above? Do they embrace their age or would they rather just ignore the number and concentrate on the champagne? Be considerate of their feelings, even if you don't agree with them.

Decades are a "Milestone" and should be treated accordingly.

Consider the Guest of Honor's personality and interests when creating the Party Picture. - Adult Birthday Party
What ambience are you looking for? Will this be formal, informal, quirky, traditional, dance into the night, or quiet conversation?
How much have you budgeted for the Birthday Party? Consider decorations, food, drinks, rentals, entertainment, activities, favors, photography...
How much help and support will you have from friends, family? Will you be hiring professionals to take on some of the responsibility such as catering, planning, photography?

Delegate, delegate, delegate. The less any one person is responsible for (especially YOU)the more everyone can enjoy the party!

How many people are you intending to invite/do you expect to attend? These numbers are not typically the same, be realistic in attendance estimates as this is the number that really matters.
What time of year, week, day will your event be? Are there any conflicts that will limit your event (such as holidays) or perhaps may open budget boosting options for your event (such as hosting a brunch rather than a Saturday event)?
How much time do you have to put your event together?

Picture it! - Take pictures! Print them! Share them! - Adult Birthday Party

Whether it's a "just because" event, an occasional event, or a once in a lifetime event, you want to Picture it perfectly.
Have a plan in place before the event begins to ensure that the photos and video that you want happen, and that it inconveniences yourself, or your designated "photographer" as little as possible.
Consider hiring a photographer. A simple event that lasts a few hours is not going to be the same price tag as an elaborate wedding, with before, during and after photos and hundreds of prints. Bring in a photographer for an hour or two to capture the big stuff and the guests, and the costs will be drastically less!
If budget is a consideration, determine the cost of your annual pose and consider offsetting that cost with professional photos of your party. Use an amazing candid as this year's picture. These photos would also be great holiday gifts - what better gift than a professionally taken photo of your guests as a gift for them!
Disposable cameras allow your guests to shoot candids - moments you wouldn't have gotten yourself.
If you decide to do it yourself, designate a couple of guests as "assistant" photographers so that some of the responsibility is taken from your shoulders. Just be sure you meet all of their needs throughout the event as their duties will limit the opportunities to enjoy the party.
Hire a videographer to capture each precious moment of the big day for later walks down memory lane.

Theme

Creating a Sense of Cohesiveness and having a little FUN. - Adult Birthday Party

A Birthday Party doesn't have to have a theme, however, a theme provide inspiration and cohesiveness that evidences attention to details.
The theme begins at your invitation and continues through in venue, décorations, tablescape, music, food, drinks, even your activities and entertainment.
A Birthday Party is flexible to the theme of your choice, limited only by the personality and interests of the Guest of Honor and the guests you hope will attend.
** Don't impose your tastes if it won't translate to something your Guest of Honor will enjoy!
Once you've selected a theme that inspires you, consider all five of your senses. Find ways to invoke the Theme in each of the senses, allowing the guests to immerse themselves in the moment, shedding the every day for the mood you are creating. Whether it's a the spicy, colorful, hot tempo of a fiesta or the relaxing, mouth tantalizing, of a wine tasting - invoke each of the senses. The food, the décor, the sounds of your party should all play a role.
Research your theme to find inspiration. Try a search for the country, hobby, event, etc. that is the basis for your Theme to get ideas.

Venue

Where will you host your party? - Adult Birthday Party

Birthday Party venue possibilities are limitless. Consider your Party Picture, your theme, and the number of guests you expect to attend.
What is your Party Picture? Is the venue you are considering going to work with it?

Options may include: your home, your backyard (open or tented), a restaurant, a hotel, a rented house, a park, or an event based venue such as the zoo, bowling alley, or a museum.
$$ Having a party at home can boost your budget, but it also requires more effort on your part - consider price comparing offsite and onsite options, you may be surprised how little you actually save when you factor in the cost of food, decorations, rentals, and how much effort you are able to delegate to venue staff that will allow you to enjoy your own party!

Does your venue work with your theme?

When working with an offsite venue, often your venue can actually drive your theme, such as an ethnic styled restaurant.

How many guests do you expect to attend?

Offsite options will let you know capacity maximums and minimums
When entertaining at home consider - REALLY consider - how many guests your home can comfortably accommodate. Consider how you can open your primary rooms to maximize space, or can expand into your outdoor space. However, don't fall into the common pitfall of overestimating the actual capacity of their home.

Invites

You're invited to a Birthday Party!!! The words alone bring a little smile, a touch of anticipation that we have simply never outgrown from our grade school days.
Invitations are the opening salvo for your grand fete. They set the mood and provide a tantalizing peek into what you are planning, sparking your party mojo.
They also serve a practical purpose, providing the following information:

Who is celebrating their Birthday
Time of Birthday Party
Location of Birthday Party
Party details such as meal served, it's s surprise, or dress requirements

Invitations go out 2 to 4 weeks before your event, however, it never hurts to send out a "save the date" notice earlier to ensure that your guests have a clear calendar!
How formal does your Party Picture require your invitations need to be?

Printed - all the bells and whistles
Printed - basics
Printed (and designed) at home with invitation software
Prepackaged with details filled in
Treeless invitations sent by e-mail

Include a link to your Party Page with party details, directions, and RSVP information.
Have a system to track RSVPs

RSVP Tracker on your Party Page
Notebook by your phone
RSVP Cards

Send a "Party Reminder" a week or two before the event - this will provide an e-mail version of your party details and directions in case your guest loses the original copy.
Thank you cards can coordinate with the invitations or the theme. You can also take your favorite party photo and personalize your thank you card.
A Birthday Party celebrates the year in the life of the Guest of Honor. So the invitation to their Birthday Party can reflect that year, or simply be inspired by the Guest of Honor his/herself. Work with pictures, memories, moments…
Thank you cards can coordinate with the invitations or the theme. However, another great idea is to take your favorite photo from the party and make your own thank you cards with the personalized party photo and message! Birthday's are typically gift giving occasions so Thank you cards are even more important here because you are thanking the guest for their presence, AND their presents!

DressItUp

Decorations - A couple of balloons or the whole enchilada, it's up to you!

What do you need for your venue to fit your Party Picture?

Theme, venue, budget, creative ability and time all play a role in what you will be able to accomplish.

Get inspired from your Theme! What brings your Theme to life? How can you inject the details into the décor and tablescape? (Refer to any research you have done on your Theme for inspiration)
Little touches can have big impact, so think it through and remember the fine details as well as the large strokes.
Select three or four colors that you will primarily be working with - this defines your color scheme.
Walls, furniture, lighting, centerpieces, linens, chair backs, tablescapes (see below), even the ceiling and floor can all work into your decorations. No surface is off limits when it comes to decorating!
Don't forget to incorporate your food, beverages, and even your entertainment into your decor.

Tablescapes - Your tables are your prime real estate, maximize the effect!

Presentation is key in entertaining, and the table is the frame for the refreshments and meals that you will serve. Make HOW you serve as important as WHAT you serve.
Not only are the tables the primary presentation for the refreshments, but they are also the focal point in the room.
Determine how your tables will be arranged - served meal, buffet meal, light appetizers… one long table, several smaller tables - start by building the design of the room, then determine how you will utilize the table surface/s in your décor.

Birthday Party = Guest of Honor Make sure you seat your Guest of Honor in a central location!

The obvious starting point is the centerpiece, however, also consider the linens, place settings, crystal, place cards, napkin presentation, and even chair accoutrements.
Functionality! Consider your guests when dressing your table. A large centerpiece may be a visual obstacle, or, may be removed before the meal and is therefore a waste of resources. Keep it low, or keep it high if guests will need to see each other across the table!
Place settings and crystal will depend on the type of event you are having. From the finest china to high quality plastic ware - it depends on what your party picture is. Be appropriate to the style of party you are hosting (plastic is only appropriate for VERY informal gatherings) and the theme of your party.
Finally, remember your FOOD. Food, beautifully presented, is the reason d'etre for your tablescape to begin with. Remember that your food should play a role in the design of the space.

Food/Drink

Refreshments - The heart of the party, amusingly, is the stomach!

What time of day will your Birthday Party be and how long will it last? This will determine how much food you need to serve. Can you get away with light hors d'oeuvres and snacks or do you need a full meal? Or, if your event lasts long enough, do you need both?
How much food will you need to serve given the number of guests you expect to attend? (Use our Food calculator to start your planning!)
If serving a meal, how will you serve it?

Formal seating - limits guests to a selected meal and is typically more expensive when catered.
Family style - dishes are served as they would be at home, allowing guests to select what they want while at the table. This is less formal but more personal than buffet.
Buffet - Allows guests to mingle while they eat, adds variety to the meal selection, and guests can graze throughout the event, reducing rigidity of schedule.

If your Birthday Party is at home, or somewhere food is not served, can you cook?? And, more importantly, DO YOU WANT TO? Preparing and serving the food is incredibly time consuming and can severely limit your ability to enjoy your own party. Consider several options:

Make ahead dishes that only require reheating or mild prep work.
Have the event catered (compare costs if you are cooking as a way to budget boost - you may be surprised how similar the costs are for the amount of effort you save!)
Have it catered and pick up (less expensive for a Budget Boost) and hire some local teens to help serve or stick to a buffet.

Have a plan to keep everything hot, or cold, as necessary.
Try to avoid dishes that a portion (15-20%) of your guests won't like. If you know of any special issues, try to have an alternative that will accommodate.
Plan out beverages. Use the Drink Calculator to determine how to allocate nonalcoholic, beer, wine and bar drinks.
Consider a couple of "signature drinks" to simplify the bar.
Have a plan for guests who consume too much - the safety of everyone depends on it.
Refreshments can fit your Theme!

FunStuff

Entertainment - When you want more than just your stereo…

What's your Party Picture, and what's your budget?? Entertainment can be more than your stereo and the hope of good conversation! Consider ways to spice up your Birthday Party.
Consider your Theme - is there a specific type of entertainment that would compliment it?
DJ's, musicians, palm readers, celebrity impersonators, dancers, bands, acrobats, clowns, the possibilities are endless. Explore what's available and get a couple of quotes, it may not be as expensive as you might think to make your event even more memorable.
Non-music entertainment can be a lot of fun too. Entertainers are more than just for children. Don't rely on small talk to entertain your guests.

Activities - Get people talking! - Adult Birthday Party

Even adults can be shy. Help your wallflowers by giving them ways to approach other guests and enjoy your party.

Get your guests talking - give them a reason to approach a stranger and strike up a conversation. Don't be afraid to get a little silly - even if the guests are laughing at you for coming up with some kitschy game, they are still laughing together.

Begin with something simple and subtle as an ice breaker while guests arrive. It gets your mojo flowing and avoids grouping of guests that may leave some folks on their own.
As your party progresses, you can rely on conversation, or you can plan something more formal.
There are many subtle activities, as well as "get together" games, or even cards. Check out the "Party Fun" page for activity ideas you can tailor to your event and theme. Remember, games and party activities are not just for children. You'd be surprised how quickly you can get adult guests to let loose a little and have some fun.
Birthday Parties can have activities that center on the Guest of Honor. Develop a quiz for the guests to see who knows him or her best, and have fun prizes to spice it up.
Specialize Party Activities (see General Guidance) to the Guest of Honor. For example, set up a Bar Book where guests can write in their favorite drink recipe and create a fun name for the drink that references the Guest of Honor.
Remember, games and party activities are not just for children. You'd be surprised how quickly you can get adult guests to let loose a little and have some fun. There are a lot of activities that are appropriate for adults - not too kitchy, and gets ties loosened and parties humming.

Prizes/Favors

A little something to remember your event by… - Adult Birthday Party

A party favor thanks your guest for celebrating your Guest of Honor's Birthday with them. Stick with your Theme or make it personal to the Birthday honoree. Birthday Parties are fun (remember???) so make your party favor a little fun too.

Examples of personalized items can be a group picture (slip off to your computer for a few minutes), a bottle of wine with a personalized label, or a personalized CD.

Favors are NOT required - but it's an extra touch that shows attention to detail and gracious hosting. Consider the occasion, the Theme, and the group you brought together for inspiration.
Another alternative that is becoming popular is to put together a couple of prize baskets that the guests can play for throughout the event. Spark a little competition and have fun with the prizes.
Consider making your "Thank you" note your party favor. Yes, it's delayed, but it allows you time to put together something from the pictures, stories, or events of the evening. If you've done a serve yourself bar with recipe cards and drink naming challenges, a copy of the recipes submitted, with fun titles, and a cover that is the group picture would be perfect!