Planning a 50th birthday party requires careful thought, well ahead of the event, in order to make it successful.
Plan a 50th birthday party that will do credit to this memorable milestone in life. The planning that goes into a party is not evident to the guests because the food, beverages and activities flow according to schedule without the host or hostess running around micromanaging the event. There are at least six basic steps to planning a successful birthday party and it's always best when the host has the assistance of at least one other person to address each step. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose several possible dates and times--with the exact time to be determined after consulting with the principal guests--for the 50th birthday party, at least 2 months in advance of the event. Plan the party for a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, since these are the best days of the week for most guests to attend a function.
2. Build a guest list well in advance of the 50th birthday party, so you'll have time to consult the principal guests, such as close relatives, best friends and business associates, regarding their availability for the various dates. When you've settled on the date and time, send out invitations at least one month in advance, so guests can RSVP well in advance of the party. Since this is a particularly special occasion, contact all guests who haven't responded within two weeks, in order to verify their attendance. This will help you ensure good attendance for the party.
3. Choose a location that's adequate for the size of the party, with plenty of well-lighted parking. Select a venue that's appropriate to the importance of the occasion, such as a popular restaurant or meeting hall. If you hold the 50th birthday party at home, notify the neighbors so they're aware of what's happening and that parking will be an issue. Arrange for several valets, either volunteers or hired, to handle parking for guests who are older or need assistance.
4. Select a theme for the party, such as a 1950s scene complete with guests in period clothing and hairstyles.. The invitations, with some research, can list lots of ideas for the guests. Another theme idea is a wine and cheese party, with wine experts from local vineyards in attendance to discuss the finer points of the various wines. Traditional cocktail parties or even a dinner party are also good theme ideas.
5. Decorate the party space to suit your theme. A 1950s party, for example, is simple to decorate with records and other memorabilia of the decade's music hanging on the walls and lots of "doo-wop" music playing for ambiance. Traditional cocktail parties can feature decor such as James Bond posters and martinis "shaken but not stirred." Decorating can be fun and it's easy to enlist the help of a "committee" to help get it done and contribute ideas and resources.
6. Plan activities such as: a 1950s dance contest with era favorites like the Cha Cha, the Bosa Nova and the Mambo; James Bond impressions; and karaoke performances of Elvis songs. Put the guest of honor in the spotlight by asking the guests to assist in listing 50 things about the celebrant, such as amusing habits, accomplishments over the years and childhood memories. Schedule time for the honoree to open presents and express appreciation to the guests.
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