How to Throw a 50 Birthday Party None of Your Guests Will Forget

Congratulations on turning 50! Gen Xers are finally becoming relevant for all kinds of cool things like blood pressure medication, hip replacements, and most importantly the biggest birthday celebration in America.

But, coming up with ideas for your 50th birthday party is a pain. You’ve probably already thrown or attended parties centered around the highest trending themes that circulate the internet— casino, black and white, roaring 20s…etc. Now you need something fresh. 

Lucky for you we’ve got some ideas that will make your big 50 birthday party a hit for everyone involved. From humorous themes and venues to the best party favors, we cover it all. Read on to learn how to throw your best birthday to date.

Pick a Theme and Venue

Picking a theme is the most difficult, but still easy. If you’re a humorous group theme the party around the worst fashion trends in the 80s and 90s. Canadian tuxes, bandana t-shirts, parachute pants, or even a jorts (jean short) party is a fun way to celebrate and create hilarious memories.

Other options include celebrating in a way that makes you feel like a teenager again. Think about the things you loved in your childhood and as a young adult. If you loved MTV, Ghostbusters, or having big hair make that the theme of your party— just be sure to get plenty of candid polaroids while you’re at it. 

Sometimes, throwing a themed party just isn’t right; if that’s the case, look for venues that already have a designated theme and organized birthday activities. Farmhouse rustic, neon, and floral themed venues are the most popular. There’s also the option of renting out breweries, wineries, or— if you’re planning the event for your sarcastic friend who will definitely appreciate the joke— retirement homes. 

Get Decorations and Essentials

If you’re going with a themed venue, they’ll handle the decorations for you. If you’re doing everything from scratch, you’ll have to get decorations on your own. 

The decorations and party essentials you’ll need to buy are dependent on your theme. Before buying party supplies pick a color scheme and stick to it— unless the theme of your party is utter chaos. A birthday celebration typically includes the following decorations:

• Balloons
• Table Confetti
• Party Hats
• Party Poppers
• Wrapping Paper
• Napkins
• Plates and Cups
• Themed Clothing or Props
• Disposable Cameras
• Games and Prizes
• Trash Bags
• Music
• Candles and Matches

There may be more decorations and party essentials for more intricate themes, so be sure to research and tailor our recommendations to your budget and personality. 

Hire Catering and a Bartender

Good food and lots of alcohol are essential for a party. Some venues include caterers and a bar already in their pricing while others don’t. 

To find a good caterer, search for caterers in the area and take a look at their website and menus. Find the ones that suit your palate then check their reviews on Google and Yelp. 

Good food served by an unfriendly waiter kills the vibe. Look for reviews that include opinions on customer relations and overall service. Everyone has bad days, so be sure to balance the number of positive, negative, and mixed reviews when making your decision. 

Sappy Speeches 

It wouldn’t be a 50th birthday without sappy speeches from your friends and family. Make sure your itinerary includes a time for them to show how grateful they are for having you in their life. 

To really customize this experience, you may want to hire a guest or celebrity speaker. You could also hire a band with event hosting experience that signals when it’s time to give the speeches. 

If sappy speeches aren’t your thing, you could have your friends roast you— most speeches incorporate some element of this anyways. If you’re unfamiliar with a roast, it’s basically when your friends put you in the hot seat and recap your worst decisions ever made. 

However you decide to incorporate this, you’re guests will adore you for it. 

Party Favors

Sending your guests home with party favors is the best way to let them know you appreciate them. These days there are a lot of customizable gifts to choose from, so we’ll give you a few ideas that will hopefully inspire you to get the best gifts for your theme and group. 

If you’re throwing a party at a brewery, get everyone beer coolies for your 50th. Even if you aren’t celebrating at a brewery, get them anyways and have them available for guests on arrival so their beer stays cold throughout the event. Most beer coolies have great sayings already printed, but if you customize them with specific sayings, names, or inside jokes, it makes them more personable for your guests. 

Other customizable gifts include plates, keychains, fans, shirts, hats…etc. All of these are perfect for helping your guests take the memories home. 

Your Big 50 Birthday Party

Turn the big 50 with the birthday party of your dreams. By following this how-to guide you’ll impress your guests, have a great time, and create memories that will last forever. When planning your 50 birthday party you’ll want to choose a theme and venue, get decorations, hire a catering company, schedule sappy speeches, and send your guests home with delightful party favors. 

For more tips on birthdays, celebrations, and gift-giving, have a look around our blog. We have tons of articles and gift guides that will help you make an impact for their next event.