Turning 50 is a big milestone that deserves a party. Many people throw a surprise birthday party for the one turning 50. But, if you don’t want to do that, or even if you do, where do you go from there? Below are great 50th birthday party ideas to get you started.
A theme based on their favorite movie
There are many, many favors and decorations based around common themes such as beach party, winter fest, and bbq. But, a more unique and fun birthday celebration will be based on a movie. Take the theme of the favorite movie and get party favors and decorations based on that theme. Then, get a copy of the movie poster and get a mat for around the poster that everyone can sign with happy birthday wishes.
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For instance, for a James Bond themed party, look for gadget party supplies and spy themed decorations. A large spy men or gun girls life size silhouette would look great behind, or next to the bar or over overshadowing the table with the movie poster. |  |
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For a Gone With The Wind themed party, look for Southern themed party supplies and pair with a life size stand up poster. Centerpieces can be flowers or candles. |  |
A theme based around their favorite hobby
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Do they like golfing? Is it possible to have the party at a golf course, or on a mini-golfing trip? Alternatively, set up a putting green in the room and hold contests for who can get the best score. Offer real prizes to entice everyone to play. Things like gift cards – $5, $10, $15, or bottles of wine make great prizes. |
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This idea also works for target shooting (use a variety of sized of nerf guns), shooting pool, and darts.
Do they like classic cars? See if a trip to a classic car show can be worked in, or contact someone and see if they you can rent the car for the day to park outside and lend ambiance.
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For the women – do they like scrapbooking? Ask everyone to bring their favorite picture or quote about the birthday lady and create a poster sized scrapbook page at the party. |
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It doesn’t have to be elaborate – a piece of poster board or foam board can act as the page – scrapbook paper or construction paper make great picture mats. For embellishments look for wallpaper borders and teachers bulletin board decorations – many dollar stores even sell these type of supplies. If you want a bit more elaborate, many scrapbook supplies aren’t that expensive. Keep an eye out for sales at your local craft stores. Sign up for their online newsletters and you can get coupons as well.
Contest Based Themes
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Pie tasting contest – the guest of honor is the judge for a variety of pies provided by the guests. You can specify on the invitations that guests can bake their own pie, or purchase store bought pies. Encourage guests to bring different flavors, or variations, such and miniature pies. The host should get RSVPs to make sure there will be a variety of pies and to fill in with baked or store bought pies to assure that everyone gets a piece – not just the judge. Again, real prizes can be given to make it feel extra festive. |  |
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Iron Chef contest – The Iron Chef show is loved by many, including me. While the professionals are required to create 5 meals in an hour, a birthday party version only needs to have a single dish created. The secret ingredient should be known by the party host and appropriate ingredients to go with the secret ingredient should be provided.
One way to do this is to have the guest of honor compete against their best friend or another party guest they would like to compete against. If the guest of honor isn’t a cook, then they can be the judge. Don’t forget to award points for presentation (plating design), taste, and best use of the secret ingredient. |
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Food Social Themes
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Ice cream social – the party host provides vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream and the guests bring their favorite toppings. This would be a great time to get special bowls, but it’s not necessary. Make sure that you have plenty of scoops on hand and a long table so that the ice cream can be served up buffet style. A fun twist would be to have a special designed bowl and ice cream creation for the guest of honor. This could be put together by party guests, or ordered ahead of time in lieu of a traditional cake. |  |
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Wine tasting – If you have a vineyard near you then a trip to the vineyard with a wine tasting makes a great birthday party. If you don’t have a vineyard near you, you can recreate this experience. Party decorations can have a Tuscan theme. Have guests bring their favorite wine, or choose a variety at your local liquor store, or both. Provide a variety of wine glasses and let everyone have fun. The host, or guest of honor, should brush up on wine tasting procedure, if they aren’t aware of it already. |  |
Gag Gift Party
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When looking for 50th birthday decorations and gifts, you will come across lots of gag gifts. Everything for hair regrowth pills to over the hill balloons. One way to capitalize on this is to deliberately seek out the gag gifts. Challenge guests to bring the most outrageous gag gift they can. Have the guest of honor choose the best, or take a vote on the corniest or craziest gag gift. |  |
