Milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50

Planning

Okay folks, as a woman firmly planted in the "middle years" can I just say, LOUDLY, that if I NEVER here "Lordy Lordy Kim is 40" I'll be a happy woman. WHY must milestone birthdays be a celebration of how OLD you are, or how amazing it is that you've managed to elude death another year… RATHER, why can't they be a celebration of how ALIVE you are, how amazing your year, your decade, your life have been? It seems that too often birthday celebrations devolve into a comedic attempt to entertain the guests, at the expense of the honoree - and that simply shouldn't be the case. Now, I fully admit that as I find myself within the bounds of these milestone birthdays I'm a little sensitive - but if I am, chances are, so is your friend or loved one who approaches one of these decade milestones. So quit with the black, funeral humor (if you MUST do this, see the "Over the Hill" birthday page) and celebrate LIFE. Birthdays are a celebration of life in periods of one year, milestone birthdays acknowledge a decade. At a minimum, a champagne toast is called for, but truly, it's a reason to CELEBRATE!

What is your "Party Picture"? milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50 - 60 ...

When planning a Milestone Birthday the goal is to recognize the decade of life your Guest of Honor has had and start the next decade with a bang - the opening day, so to speak.
If this isn't a surprise party, involve your Guest of Honor - they should have a say in their opening day ceremony.
What's the purpose of your event? Is your celebration inspired by an individual, an event, a special occasion? Is it a general celebration, or is it a once in a lifetime event?
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 event? 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 event!
This is particularly true if you are planning your own party. If it's your own birthday you definitely don't want to spend your time in the kitchen or tending to the needs of your guests! You want to be sitting sipping champagne - make sure you have others helping.

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! milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50 - 60 ...

A Milestone Birthday is an event that deserves proper memorializing. It borders on Lifetime Event status, and deserves a few framed photos at the least!
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! This is particularly true if you are hosting a once in a lifetime event!
If cost is an issue, consider replacing your annual pose with a professional photographer for your event and using an amazing candid as that year's picture. These photos would also be great holiday gifts - what better gift than a framed professionally taken photo of your guests as a gift for them! This may offset the expense.
Disposable cameras allow your guests to shoot candids - moments you wouldn't have gotten yourself.
Designate a couple of guests as photographers, but make sure you meet all of their needs throughout the event as their duties will limit the opportunities to enjoy the party.

Theme

Creating a Sense of Cohesiveness and having a little FUN. milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50 - 60 ...

A party doesn't have to have a theme, however, a theme provide inspiration and cohesiveness that evidences attention to details. The obvious choice here is the milestone number - but plastering 50s or 60s all over your venue may not be what your Guest of Honor is looking for. Consider these alternatives:

Coordinate the theme with the "wish list" of the Guest of Honor - what haven't they done in their life that they plan to do in the next decade? Is there an activity they have always wanted to do or attend, a place they have always wanted to go???
Does your Guest of Honor have a hobby or passion that is personal to them?

The theme can be simple, just some colors and a certain style, or it can be incredibly elaborate and inspired, evoking the feel of a place, a time, or an event.
The theme begins at your invitation and continues through in venue, décorations, tablescape, music, food, drinks, even your activities and entertainment.
The event itself may drive the Theme (such as a Holiday party or a Baby Shower) or the event may be flexible to the theme of your choice. The key is to select a theme that fits the event and, where applicable, the preferences and personalities of the individual/s being celebrated as well as the guests you expect to attend.

** One of the fatal mistakes a host can make is to fail to plan a party that will be enjoyed by the Guest of Honor. If your mate is an outdoorsy flannel wearing man, a sophisticated sushi tasting may suit YOUR tastes, but probably not his. Fit the event to the theme to the person, as well as the guests you expect to attend.

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.

Venue

What is your "Party Picture"? Is the venue you are considering going to work with it? A Milestone Birthday moves along the line a little closer to Life Event status, so you may be considering all of your venue options for this decade event.

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!
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.

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.

Invites

Communicating with your Guests

Your invited to celebrate a Birthday, and it's a Big one!
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.
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!
Be creative! Invitations can be theme related, or they can be event specific. A Milestone Birthday party celebrates the decade in the life of the Guest of Honor. So the invitation to their party can reflect that time, or simply be inspired by the person whose birthday it is. Work with pictures, memories, moments…
They also serve a practical purpose, providing the following information:

What are we celebrating?
Time of Party
Location of Party
Party details such as meal served, it's s surprise, or dress requirements

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.

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?
Get inspired from your Theme! What brings your Theme to life? How can you inject the details into the décor and tablescape? Don't forget your internet research to get 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! milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50 - 60 ...

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 werve.
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.
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 will either be a visual obstacle, or, will be removed and 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.
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 event 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?
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 the event is not at a venue where food is served (hosting at home), the question to ask is, 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??
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.

Activities - Get people talking! milestone Birthday Party - 40 - 50 - 60 ...

Even adults can be shy. Help your wallflowers by giving them ways to approach other guests and enjoy your party. Don't be afraid to get a little silly - even if the guests are laughing at you, they are still laughing together.
Begin with something simple and subtle that is 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.

Prizes/Favors

A little something to remember your event by…

A party favor thanks your guest for spending the time with you and the Guest of Honor, and also provides a little reminder of your event. A little memento of the Milestone celebration is all that's needed. Stick with your Theme, or make it personal to the Birthday honoree. Birthday parties are fun, so make your party favor a little fun too.

If you can get a group picture and slip off to your computer for a few minutes, a little picture magnet or frame is a great little reminder of this important Birthday Party.

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.

Happy Birthday Each year marks a special milestone. As the years go by we realize how great it is to share these special times with friends and family. Choose from paper goods, decorations and even toilet paper to add fun to the special day. Have a great party!

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