Making 50 Interesting and Memorable
July 23, 2011 3:06 PM Subscribe
Ideas for making a 50th birthday party interesting and fun.
My wife is turning 50 and I'm throwing a party for her and family and friends -- about 40 people in total. I need ideas to make it memorable for both my wife and our guests. Already planning a picture board on which guests can write well wishes, and the kids and I will deliver personal messages spoken at the party. Any other ideas are welcome. Oh, and I only have about a week ... I'm late as usual :-( ... thanks!
My wife is turning 50 and I'm throwing a party for her and family and friends -- about 40 people in total. I need ideas to make it memorable for both my wife and our guests. Already planning a picture board on which guests can write well wishes, and the kids and I will deliver personal messages spoken at the party. Any other ideas are welcome. Oh, and I only have about a week ... I'm late as usual :-( ... thanks!
About 6 weeks before her birthday, she should have received an invitation to join AARP. If it's still sitting around your house somewhere, you can frame it inexpensively and give to her for a gag gift.
posted by raisingsand at 3:35 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by raisingsand at 3:35 PM on July 23, 2011
Is this in a restaurant/hall or in someone's home? Answers may vary based on that, I may send a singing gorilla to someone's home, but not to a public place.
posted by kellyblah at 3:38 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by kellyblah at 3:38 PM on July 23, 2011
Do at least one thing that is over-the-top special. Something that everybody talks about years later. This usually involves getting an outside expert:
1) Hire a sushi chef
2) Hire a florist to go "hog wild"
3) Hire an artist to make a light installation in your yard
4) Hire a petting zoo. Really.
5) Hire caterers that walk around with amazing food
6) Consider what makes her *really* laugh and take that to an extreme.
7) And never ever rule out games that make her--and everyone--feel like children. Like pinatas and such. What would get your friends laughing?
posted by Murray M at 3:46 PM on July 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
1) Hire a sushi chef
2) Hire a florist to go "hog wild"
3) Hire an artist to make a light installation in your yard
4) Hire a petting zoo. Really.
5) Hire caterers that walk around with amazing food
6) Consider what makes her *really* laugh and take that to an extreme.
7) And never ever rule out games that make her--and everyone--feel like children. Like pinatas and such. What would get your friends laughing?
posted by Murray M at 3:46 PM on July 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
50 items of her favorite things displayed prettily for her to enjoy later. Ex: 50 Hershey kisses, 50 mini cokes, 50 reasons why you love her...
posted by JacksonandFinch at 4:05 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by JacksonandFinch at 4:05 PM on July 23, 2011
My family did this to me on my 40th, the got 40 people who I didn't know to send me birthday cards. It was pretty funny. Getting birthday cards from dentists you've never met is odd.
posted by doctor_negative at 5:03 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by doctor_negative at 5:03 PM on July 23, 2011
When my dad turned 50 my mom put together a big party where all their friends came dressed up as kids (boy scout uniforms, penciled in freckles, pigtails and the like). I was about 14 and it was... weird. There was also a stripper (I saw the disturbing pictures). It sounded like they had a blast, but my mom always was a great entertainer (and I have no doubt the cocktails flowed like water). I don't know if this is a recommendation or not. ;)
posted by Glinn at 5:07 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by Glinn at 5:07 PM on July 23, 2011
Make a playlist of songs from 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001.
posted by mauvest at 5:28 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by mauvest at 5:28 PM on July 23, 2011
Do not do the AARP thing. This is supposed to be fun, not depressing!
posted by Maias at 8:10 PM on July 23, 2011
posted by Maias at 8:10 PM on July 23, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I would make sure all of her favorite things are represented.
posted by brujita at 3:27 PM on July 23, 2011