Throwing a 50th Birthday Party for my Husband

Juliette · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 149 Location: Philadelphia Burbs

And luckily my in-laws are helping and hosting it. I get panicky and flustered from the pressure when I host a party myself and I wanted to get a party planner, maybe have it catered if we could afford it, but my veteran party throwing mother-in-law talked me out of it. If anyone here is good at entertaining could I ask you a couple of questions?

1. It's a barbecue and will be on a Saturday - what is a good time? Would 4:00 be best, or later?

2. One of the reasons I wanted to get a party planner is I wanted the party to be special and different. As good as my in-laws throw a party it's always kind of the same old same old, no creativity. I could use some ideas, hopefully not the usual, for a party of this type.

I'm not the hostess with the mostest, unfortunately, but I'm very creative and I can cook. Organized I'm not. Sad

KarenS · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 861 Location: Florida

Just some suggestions to mull over as you plan your husband's 50th birthday.

1) What is the age group of those attending? Mostly your peers or older friends? If you have the older 60 crowd attending parties, they like to party early and leave early. Usually they are gone by 9 PM so if you don't want to lose anyone have it earlier. If that isn't a factor you could do it later. The weather could be a factor in your party. If it's cool in the evening you might want to have it later as long as you have enough lighting for everyone to get around. Or the afternoon showers might cause a change of plans.

2. Themes are nice if you are into them. Since your husband was born in 1958 you could go with a 50s theme. Or if your husband had a decade he's partial to use that decade as a theme. What is his interests? Is he into sports, photography, cars, etc. use that theme. Or you could use the nifty 50s theme since he's turning 50. Do a collage with pictures of him is a fun way to walk down memory lane. A friend of mine and I just gave a party for a 92 year old a few weeks ago honoring her service to our club. We created a keepsake flyer for her with her picture on the front, her story(history) on the inside and on the back was an amusing anecdote. This might be overkill for a birthday party, but it was interesting for those who wanted to know more about her history.

Have a wonderful party!

Rosario · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 326 Location: Liverpool, UK

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1602

Juliette · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 149 Location: Philadelphia Burbs

Juliette · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 149 Location: Philadelphia Burbs

cheri · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1350 Location: michigan

I just threw a party for my Senior who is leaving to go into the Marines in a couple days. I know the stress level involved in throwing a party. I did the Photo Collage and it was great. it sounds like you have some great advice. Themes are good. Especially if he likes something. Luaus, sports etc. and stick with it throughout. Say a theme based cake, a drink in a punchbowl etc. Something that says him totally. I hope it turns out well, let us know and have fun with it, that's usually what makes it memorable. If you really can't think of any ideas, visit a decorations shop and browse. cheri

KarenS · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 861 Location: Florida

cheri · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1350 Location: michigan

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1602

cheri · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1350 Location: michigan

Mine started out going for the reserve unit for college money but I could tell his heart was really in it and he wanted to go full time but was worried what the family would think. He wants to be a state cop or at least a job in that field. It was no big shocker when he asked about going in full. We told him it's his life, his 4 yrs and he is the one that needs to be happy. The shocker was the ship date. He was supposed to go in September but they called him in for july7. Not as much time as we would have liked but I think mentally he's already left a while ago. Thanks for all the support. Now I know who to bug when the worrying gets to be too much. Very Happy

cheri

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1602

cheri · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1350 Location: michigan

I actually send a ton of boxes once a year overseas to anysoldier.com. I had some of our local elementary kids do Valentines too . I've sent a lot of stuff over there but never thought about dental floss. That was probably a good idea, not sending any. Laughing

Thanks for the tips. cheri

pinkbubble · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

I work for a company that does many service things and one of the things we do is party planning. (not me, I am not that kind of creative) but one of the things we recommend so that the hostess can enjoy her own party is to hire someone to come in and help

set up (so the hostess can dress and put on makeup etc)
serve
clean up

some of these services will even do a pre or post party cleaning (like a quick maid service)

They usually run about 15 dollars an hour for one person with a 4 hr minimum. The people that use these services have a much higher satisfaction with their party than those that do not

I hope it is a success!
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Juliette · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 149 Location: Philadelphia Burbs

Thanks for all the replies. Very Happy

Party's this Saturday, I'm a little nervous but I've got help. I really want to go with the party planner some day, it's so hard for me to settle down and enjoy. Most of the people we invited are coming, at least so far, so that part of my anxiety is easing. There's always a fair amount of people that don't let ya know, so I'll probably make calls for a head count by, I guess Wednesday?

I can't wait till is over with. I wish it wasn't always the way with me and social things. Crying or Very sad