60th Birthday Ideas

Turning 60 is a definite milestone and one that should celebrate how long the person has lived, as well as a celebration for the future and many more happy years. The ideas below offer several ways to do just that

New Experiences

After 60 years a person has done quite a lot. However, there is always something that they want to do that they haven’t had a chance to yet. A birthday celebration that includes that is a great gift or party idea.

For instance, a hot air balloon ride, driving a race car, bungee jumping, sky diving. All of these experiences are ones available to the general public. Look for companies that specialize in extreme experiences for how.

Another type of experience, that wouldn’t count as extreme, but would still be a great birthday is visiting a place they have always wanted to go. Whether it is a posh restaurant that they have always wanted to eat at or a museum, this can be a great gift. If you have the money and time, a visit to another city or country would also be a great birthday experience.

Items from the past

I’m sure that you’ve seen those booklets with information for the year you were born. By kicking this up a notch, you can create a whole party theme around things from that year.

1. Pick the top 5 songs from that year and have pictures from the album covers on each of the tables at the party.
2. Get a collection of toys from that year if possible. Display them at a head table or set them out so guests can play them during the party.
3. Get a collection of newspapers or magazines from that day, month, or year. Guests and the guest of honor will have a great time reading over the articles, and especially checking out 60 year old advertisements.
4. Find popular dessert recipes or candy from that year and put together dessert or goodie bags.
5. Find out the first car that the guest of honor drove and look for Matchbox or model cars of that first car. Spread them throughout the room, or hang pictures from the walls. Extra credit: Contact a classic cars club and see if anyone has that make and model who could bring it by the party.

Through the years – In Pictures

Another great way to celebrate the 60 years of someone’s life is to show their life in pictures. There are a few ways to do this:

1. Collect pictures from family and friends and create a scrapbook of memories. The scrapbook can be displayed at the party for everyone to look through.
2. Take those same photos and create a video slideshow. There are inexpensive computer programs to do this, or you can hire someone to do it. Borrow or bring a TV and DVD Player, or projector and laptop to show the movie at the party. Be sure to have extra copies made for other family who would like a copy.
3. Create a time line with the pictures. This can be presented in scrapbook form, or on a large poster. Be sure to date all the pictures (with at least the year if possible). To add context, add major events onto the timeline as well. Things like the moon landing, presidential elections, etc.
4. Find copies of old home movies and get them transferred to digital format. This can either be done on it’s own, or combined with still photos in an expanded slideshow. Again, be sure to have copies for other family who would like them.

Through the years – In Themes

A variation on the through the years idea is to have a party centered around themes from the different decades:

1. Follow music through the decades – dedicate each table at the party, or areas of the room to each type of music. Have pictures from album covers, and decorate with music notes and instruments. Rent a jukebox that has a selection of tunes from the different decades or see if you can hire a band who can play music from the decades.
2. Follow fashion through the decades – Find pictures of fashion from the various decades and have them blown up to poster size and hang them throughout the room. Or, blow them up to 8×10 or larger and put them in picture frames on the tables at the party. Tell the guests that they are free to dress up from any era over the past 60 years for an added touch.
3. Showcase top sports players through the year for the guest of honor’s favorite sport. You can put trivia cards at each place setting with highlights from championship games or memorable moments in sports history.
4. Showcase TV shows or movies through the years. Try to get a mix of the popular shows everyone should remember and ones that people will love being reminded of. “Oh, I forgot all about that show!” would be great thing to hear.

While 60 years used to be considered old, lifespans have increased and 60 isn’t old. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a milestone that shouldn’t be celebrated. The ideas above are a great way to honor someone who has reached this point.