Turning the BIG 6-0 can either be a very frightening experience, or it can be a very exciting time! 60 year olds are not the same as they used to be - many are working full time careers, play golf on the weekends, and take exotic vacations. What a great time of life to celebrate!
The life of the person turning 60 will really dictate the theme of the invitation. If that person has a great sense of humor about turning older and enjoys a good laugh at their own expense, you can go more traditional and use the "Over the Hill" theme.
However, if the person is a little more reserved, you may want to pick an invitation theme that exemplifies their favorite hobbies, such as golf, flying a plane, sports cars, quilting, or even a surprise party.
Decoration Ideas: Depending on the theme of your party, you will want to decorate accordingly. Examples of how to decorate for a 60th birthday party (depending on the theme) include:
-Rent a room at the birthday person’s favorite restaurant, but make it a surprise! Decorations can be as simple as having that person’s favorite friends and family members around, as well as helium-filled "birthday" balloons tied to every table, with candles and dimmed lights.
-Decorate your home (or theirs!) with a nostalgic theme. For example, if your guest was born in 1945, they are part of the baby boomer generation. Have pictures of them growing up, as well as "fun facts" about their life and the decades in which they’ve lived.
-Stars such as Elvis Presley, James Dean, Patsy Cline, and others can be a great way to drive a "star-studded" event. Have your guests bring CD’s or (if you can) old 33’s with a record player. Have different paraphernalia surrounding these stars decorating the room, such as guitars, movie reels, or posters from either the movies or the concerts the stars were in. Create a (removable) wall-sized poster including the guest of honor and all their accomplishments. Take lots of pictures, and even roll out the red carpet.
Activity Ideas: The highlight of the party can be the activities enjoyed by your guests. Some great activities for your 60th birthday party could include:
Have your guests give testimonials about the individual and their relationship(s) with those guests. If possible, have the guests write them down in advance to be kept in a scrapbook by the birthday person. This is a great activity that will be treasured by the birthday boy or girl forever.
Karaoke. Goofy sounding, maybe, but if you include some of the "golden oldies" that people can sing to and laugh about, it will be fun for everyone, old and young. Especially if you sing tributes to the guest of honor!
Games, of any type, are always fun. They are especially fun if they are created with the birthday boy or girl in mind. For example, create a questionnaire about the birthday person and have your guests try to answer questions about him/her. Another one would be to create a "Trivial Pursuit" game or the game of "Life" with the birthday person’s life experiences in mind. Jeopardy is always another fun one to play. You can even have the guest of honor play "Alex"!
Food Ideas: There are so many great food options for your 60th birthday party planning! Here are some great ideas for food that will keep your guests coming back for more:
Finger foods such as shrimp cocktail, veggie trays, chips and salsa or chips and dip as well as small bagel sandwiches are always a great hit. They are easy to make, easy to eat, and make it a more relaxed atmosphere for everyone.
Serve 3 different pastas along with Italian bread and even spumoni for desert. Fettucini, rotelle, and angel hair pasta with different sauces such as marinara, meat sauce, or a creamy alfredo* make for a great pasta buffet. Add some great Italian salad and you are on your way!
If you choose to take your guest to their favorite restaurant, make sure you order their favorite meal in advance of your arrival. This will ensure that they receive special treatment the entire evening. Also, ensure that their favorite wine or other beverage is on hand for them to enjoy after they are surprised at your thoughtfulness!
*For a low-fat, creamy alfredo sauce, try this:
2 cans of Low fat (Campbell’s) Cream of Mushroom soup
2 tbsp of (Smart Balance) butter
1/2 cup (Breakstone) fat free sour cream
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup garlic, minced
Pepper and salt, to taste
Herb, oregano, and basil, to taste
Heat all ingredients except parmesan cheese. Stir constantly. Once mixture is heated through and bubbling slightly, add parmesan cheese. Mix, and remove from the stove. Serve with the pasta of your choice, and enjoy!
Remember, the key to having a successful 60th birthday party is to create an overall theme that celebrates the life of the birthday person. Simple or elaborate, direct the theme so that the party is one that the birthday boy or girl will never forget!
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