Over the Hill Party| Help Me Host It | Party Ideas, themes, tips and more.

Planning

There are two distinct types of Over the Hill Parties: 1) Funeral humor, 2) The e"Old Fart", decrepit - feeble humor.

Like the Whoopy Cushion, "Over the Hill" funeral humor is irritating for those who must suffer through it, but seems to never go out of fashion. Entire sections of party stores are loaded with black party items, and humor founded on the fact that, amazingly, you're still alive. This seems to particularly be in vogue when an individual turns 40 or 50 (much older than that and funeral humor just isn't quite funny any more!) It has it's place, and it is good for a laugh, but the key to this party is to KNOW YOUR Honoree. Understand that there's a difference between party fun, and party cruelty. If your Guest of Honor won't think it's funny, or they are struggling with this particular birthday, then don't subject them to the Over the Hill party. However, if your Honoree can laugh at themselves, and are having fun with their age, then you can actually have quite a bit of fun with this party!

The "Old Fart" party is a little less "black" and can be very humorous. Decorations and party favors demonstrate the supposed "feebleness" of the Honoree - crutches, canes, soft pillows, bibs, sippy cups, false teeth advertisements etc.

What is your "Party Picture"?

An Over the Hill Party is typically a Milestone Party - but effectively you are adding an "Over the Hill" Theme. However, the goal is still the same - 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. Make sure they are on board with the "Over the Hill" humor, but keep elements a surprise, otherwise it takes some of the fun out of the party.
Chances are if your party is based on humor, it's probably not a black tie affair. This party is made for whimsy and silliness - you want guests laughing and joking, not quietly discussing the state of world politics! Your décor and music should reflect that intent. Keep it light and fun.
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!

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!

Theme

Creating a Sense of Cohesiveness and having a little FUN.

Over the Hill really IS the Theme. Your primary color is black, toss in some sparkly silver and it's a fun and funky monochromatic background. Typically, a Milestone Birthday celebrates LIFE, however, with this twist, it's more a celebration of the avoidance of death - but in a lighthearted fashion. It makes a joke of our fears of growing older, embraces where we are in life and basically, if done right, gives the proverbial bird to a fear of dying.

If you want to get creative you can add elements to this Theme. For example, you could have fun with a Latin Theme, celebrating the Day of the Dead!

Your Theme begins at your invitation and continues through in venue, décor, tablescape, music, food, drinks, even your activities and entertainment.
Once you've formed your theme, consider all five of your senses. Find ways to invoke the life of your Guest of Honor, or the element you are concentrating on in each of the senses. The food, the décor, the sounds of your party should all play a role.

Venue

Because this is a fun, quirky party, make sure your venue supports that ambience. This is a fine balance, because typically this party is also a Milestone Party and therefore deserves something big with a splash - so have fun, but ensure that your party lives up to its decade!

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.

How many people are you expecting, and for how long? Do you want to cook, or do you want it catered or provided by your venue? How noisy will your crowd get? Are your people quite and classical, or does "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" remind you of your family gatherings? Once you've thought all of this through, then select a venue that will work for your needs.

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.
Remember your Guest of Honor - as we get older, often the unfamiliar can be a source of stress. If this is true for your loved one, then stick with the familiar. If you are going off site, consider a venue that is familiar to minimize anxiety.

Invites

Invitations to an Over the Hill Party should do two things: 1) Make your guest LAUGH, and 2) make it clear that the Honoree is in on the joke and thinks it's funny. Some people are offended by this party as, too often, when done poorly, it makes a joke at the expense of the Honoree, but if you make it clear you are doing this tastefully and that your Honoree is on board, it should calm any concerns your guests may have.
That being said, have FUN. Take a picture of your Honoree with a bunch of plot sales brochures, or somberly holding black flowers. How about your Honoree with a look of surprise and a tag line that he/she can't believe she made it to 50, and then below a note requesting no surprises because his/her heart may not be able to take it… Or include a fun "Registry" for your Honoree that includes items that one may need as they get VERY old - Depends, a walker, cases of Ensure or Viagra, a fake hip… etc.
Because this is still a Milestone Birthday, make sure you maximize attendance by sending out invitations early - 2 to 3 weeks or more in advance. You can also "save the date" earlier to ensure that your guests have a clear calendar!
Your invitation, as well as being funny, should also provide the following information:

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.

DressItUp

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

Again, this party is about humor and the avoidance of death. Funeral humor at its best. Black and silver color scheme, with funeral and cemetery elements added in is what you are aiming for. Pictures of your Honoree should be present and it should still be a personalized party - as, even with the humor it celebrates the decade of life of the individual - past and future.

Remember that the little details can have a big impact - don't just concentrate on the large strokes. Humor can be found in the tiniest items. Work with all of your surfaces - you can include little vignettes in the most unexpected places! Walls, furniture, lighting, centerpieces, linens, chair backs, tablescapes, 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, family style, buffet, light appetizers… one long table, several smaller tables - start by building the design. Once you make this decision, then you can plan on how your tables will look and what elements you will incorporate.

The obvious starting point is the centerpiece, however, also consider the linens, place settings, crystal, place cards, napkin presentation, and even chair accoutrements. Remember that these items are a great place to inject the small details that will make this party fun. Place cards can be little tombstones with each guest's name or small replicas of a black top hat with the name on the band. The napkin ring can be a replication of an undertakers black and gray striped tie. A single black rose or lilly can grace each place setting. You can even incorporate a fun activity - having napkin rings that are a piece of parchment that requests that each guest write one thing the Honoree would be "remembered" for in their Eulogy.

In all your fun, don't forget 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! And remember you FOOD. Food, beautifully presented, is the reason d'être 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.

FunStuff

Entertainment - When you want more than just your stereo…

What's your Party Picture, and what's your budget?? Incorporate things your Honoree would enjoy and that would fit the ambience of your party. A live band is a great addition, or a magician whose wearing a tux to begin with. You can also create a personalized element to your party. This is a decade party, so consider celebrating your Honoree by creating a slide show to honor the last decade. You can rent a projector and use one wall to run a continuous slide show of fun photos throughout his/her life for everyone to enjoy!

Activities - Get people talking!

Coworkers, neighbors, old friends, new friends - you effectively wind up with a group of folks who often don't know everyone, or may only know one or two people. This can be a little stressful for your wallflowers, and stressful for a host trying to make sure everyone is comfortable and has someone to talk to. Help your wallflowers by giving them ways to approach other guests and enjoy your party. Simple "ice breaker" activities get people talking without being childish or to "game" like. Find a way to get guests talking - it will get your mojo flowing and avoids grouping of guests that may leave some folks on their own.

Okay, so your Theme is death. So go with that! Have each guest write on a card the wildest way they could plan to die. Or, if they were going to die tomorrow, the one thing they would do today (after they said their goodbyes etc.) Give folks a couple of examples of really outlandish responses so that they realize that it's supposed to be funny, not morbid. These cards are then stuck to each guests label or strung onto the stem of their glass. It gives guests a reason to approach other guests and talk/laugh together.

I want to plummet to my death from an airplane, but amazingly hit a trampoline, survive the fall, and land face first on a really hot pool boy. Where I'd stay for a few hours and die of a heart attack brought on by too much… pleasure!
If I were going to die tomorrow I'd fly to Ireland and spend my last hours pub crawling!

As your party progresses, you can rely on conversation, or you can plan something more formal.
This is a fun party - so add some fun elements! Have a camera where each guest takes a picture of their best "I'm about to be flattened by a truck" face and a card for them to write a note to your Honoree. This can be used to create a fun facebook of your guests and and their warm wishes as a memento of the party.

Prizes/Favors

A little something to remember your event by…

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!