How to Decorate for a 50th Birthday Party

Attitudes about aging have changed as people are living longer and retiring later. Over the Hill parties are passé now that 50 is the new 30! Help someone celebrate this memorable milestone with a festive party atmosphere that focuses on the favorable features of turning 50. Here are a few simple suggestions to get you started.

Things You'll Need

• Internet/library access for research
• Party streamers, balloons, yarns, in bright colors
• 2-40" x 60" pieces of white foam core (available at art supply stores)
• Nostalgic photos/memorabilia
• Laptop computer OR digital photo frame(s)
• Ruler, scissors, Xacto knife, clear adhesive tape and glue

Instructions

Suggested Steps

1. Come up with a positive party theme. Some ideas could include:
   • It's All About YOU!
   • You've Always Been a Classic!
   • Even Better with Age!
   • Forever Young and Fifty!
   • In Fashion at Fifty!

2. Personalize the party. Don't just buy generic decorations. Create your own with memorabilia that reflects the celebrant's life. Copy "then and now" photographs and attach them to colored yarn or party streamers for custom-made birthday banners. Ask friends to contribute anecdotes for the party and put them together in a large collage to be presented at the party. Decorate with album covers from the year that person was born. There are a number of ways to be creative while personalizing the party.

3. Create a dramatic party entrance with brightly colored balloons and foam core. Carefully cut out one sheet of foam core into the shape of a large five, the other into a large zero. Attach inflated balloons to the number shapes with clear tape.

4. Make an impact with poster-sized photos of the celebrant. Convert traditional and digital images at Wal-Mart or Walgreen's or order them online: http://photos.walmart.com/, http://photo.walgreens.com/, and www.perfectposters.com.

5. Research what was happening during the celebrant's birth year, high school or college years. If you or someone you know is good with computer presentation software, you can create a dynamic tribute to the celebrant using downloaded images from that era, photos of the honoree and popular music from the period. (Digital photo frames could be used instead.)

6. Visit local thrift shops and neighborhood tag sales. This is a great way to find vintage items for wall and table décor. Invite guests to, "Come as you were," in nostalgic clothing. They'll add to the ambiance!

Tips & Warnings

• • Plan the event well in advance. • Get input from the celebrant's spouse, significant other, siblings, parents, or close friends.

• • Use extreme caution with Xacto/utility knives. • Be sensitive to the honoree's right to privacy--NO embarressing photos!

Resources

• What happened the year you were born?