How to Plan a Birthday Banquet

Surprise your guest of honor with a birthday banquet.

When a friend or loved one has a birthday, it is customary to have some type of celebration. Lots of people have parties, but banquets allow the guest of honor to receive special recognition. At a banquet, all guests are served and special speakers are invited to talk about the guest of honor. Funny stories and a bit of roasting are also in order. Decorations for a birthday banquet should be traditional perhaps using his favorite colors. Special milestone birthdays like turning 30, 40 or 50 require humorous decorations and roast ideas. Whatever the birthday year, a banquet is an elegant way to observe this special day.

Instructions

1. Choose a date and time for the birthday banquet. Confirm the availability of that date with the banquet hall or community center you will use. Agree on a price and make a deposit to hold the date.

2. Enlist the help of friends to develop a theme or if using the "roast" format choose who will be speaking.

3. Choose and send invitations to guests. Give RSVP instructions so you can determine how many guests you will serve.

4. Hire a caterer and choose your menu. Review prices and choose the items that best suit your budget. Other things to consider are the birthday person's favorite snacks and foods. Ask the caterer to provide wait staff and dishes.

5. Decorate the banquet hall. Cover tables and a cake with tablecloths. Set floral centerpieces on each table. If celebrating a milestone birthday, place cardboard numbers, covered in glitter on bamboo skewers, in each centerpiece.

6. Oversee the set up of the banquet hall. Check the dishes to make sure none are cracked or missing.

7. Bring a table pedestal for special guests to "roast" the guest of honor. Hook up microphone and speaker system if hosting a large group.

8. Review your itinerary and verify all your speakers will attend.

9. Hire a disc jockey to play music during the dining and dancing portion of your banquet.

References

• RoyalHall: Plan a Banquet