How to Celebrate a 50th, 60th or 70th Birthday

[ГОЛОВНЕ ФОТО (прев’ю): ювілярка з онуками задуває свічки на торті з цифрою 60, поруч великий букет]

A milestone birthday — 50, 60 or 70 — is a special date that deserves a celebration showing the guest of honour just how loved they are. Here is how to celebrate at a restaurant, at home or outdoors, how to plan the evening, which games suit guests of all ages and how to make the day truly touching.

More on this topic: milestone birthday wishes, milestone birthday gifts for her, milestone birthday gifts for him.

Where and how to celebrate

A restaurant is the classic choice for 20–50 guests: no cooking or clearing up, and there is room to dance. Book one to two months ahead, especially for a Friday or Saturday, and check whether you can bring your own cake, decorations and flowers.

At home or a country house is warmer and cheaper for 10–15 of the closest people. So the guest of honour does not spend the evening in the kitchen, order some dishes from a caterer or share them out among relatives. A country hotel for the weekend works well if guests come from other cities.

Something different. A family trip, a river cruise, a concert by a favourite performer, a family photoshoot or a party themed on the year the guest of honour was born, with the music, fashion and photos of that era.

[фото: святково сервірований стіл у ресторані з букетами й цифрою 60 з кульок]

How to plan the evening

Welcome (30–40 minutes): nibbles, a photo corner and music. First course: the host’s opening, the first toast from the closest person and wishes from the family. Break and entertainment: dancing, two or three games and a video message. Second course with wishes from friends and colleagues. The cake is the high point, followed by dancing and photos.

If you have no professional host, ask a confident relative or friend to lead the evening: announcing toasts, keeping time and politely passing the microphone. For ready-made toasts, see milestone birthday wishes.

Games for guests of all ages

Name that tune. The host plays snippets of hits from the year the guest of honour was born and each decade since, and guests guess the song. Facts about the birthday person. A ten-question quiz: their first job, favourite dish, where they met their spouse. The winner gives the next toast.

Timeline of stories. Guests take turns telling one story about the guest of honour, starting with the oldest — it becomes a living biography. A box of wishes. Everyone writes a wish on a card, and the guest of honour opens one each month of the coming year. These games need no running around and suit guests aged 7 to 90.

How to make the day truly touching

A video. Collect short clips from relatives, friends and colleagues, including those who could not come, and edit them together with old photos. A photo wall. Display photos of the guest of honour from different years — guests love looking at them.

A lavish bouquet of her favourite flowers presented by the grandchildren. A song or poem from the grandchildren and a thank-you toast from the children. For gift ideas, see milestone birthday gifts for her and milestone birthday gifts for him.

[фото: стенд із фото ювіляра різних років і гості, що його розглядають]

Milestone birthday checklist

• Guest list and venue booked 1–2 months ahead
• Invitations sent 3–4 weeks ahead
• A host or a friend to lead the evening
• Running order and toast list
• Cake with the number and candles
• Table flowers and a bouquet for the guest of honour
• A video and a photo display
• Transport or taxis for older guests

A bouquet for a milestone birthday

Milestone birthdays call for large, celebratory bouquets: roses, hydrangeas, peony roses or arrangements in a box that stand on a table without a vase. Soft or bright colours suit women, while restrained tones with greenery and dark roses suit men.

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See birthday flowers and flowers for women.

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FAQ

How should a woman celebrate her 50th birthday?

Popular choices are a restaurant party with a themed dress code, a trip with friends, a photoshoot or a spa day, followed by dinner with the family.

How should a man celebrate his 60th birthday?

A restaurant or country hotel with family and friends, a weekend fishing trip or hike, and a video of wishes from colleagues and friends.

Can you celebrate a milestone birthday early?

Many people prefer not to, so milestone birthdays are usually celebrated on the day itself or the weekend after.

Which games suit a 60th birthday party?

Music quizzes with hits from their youth, facts about the guest of honour, a timeline of guests’ stories and a box of wishes — no running around or noise.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.