My mother’s 80th birthday party was the best birthday she had had. She grew up on a farm where the parties tended to be small get together with the family. As a wife and mother, she received small little homemade gifts from her children, but she never had a group of family and friends invited to share her special day until she was 80. As I watched the happiness of that day, tears rolled down my eyes – why did we wait so long to honor this special lady?
Make your favorite senior citizen’s next birthday celebration one to be remembered. When you stop to think about all of the changes, advances, trials, and tribulations they have lived through, it seems incredible that one could keep up with it all. For instance, some have gone from horse and buggy to see man land on the moon.
Here are some ideas to get you started on creating a memorable senior birthday celebration.
Planning the Party
Are you planning a particular birthday party for a senior friend or family member? Go the extra mile and make this a memorable event.
With some planning and creativity, this party will be the best gift you could give. First, consider the party the guest would like to have.
Such as, some people prefer small intimate parties, and others enjoy a significant event.
Date and Time Invitations
Consider planning to have the party in the early afternoon; this is the time of day that most seniors are alert and feel at their best. Schedule the party for several hours to provide enough time to visit but not too long to exhaust the honoree. Such as, weekends work best when most people have the day off and will be available to attend.
Location
Check if a party room is available for seniors living in a senior living complex. A community room allows their neighbors and friends to attend besides family members. It is also more comfortable for seniors to be in a familiar environment.
Reserve the community room and ask about details for hosting your birthday party there. If the person has caretakers, be sure they know the details of the time and place. Nothing is worse than having your guest of honor come unprepared.
Parties can also be held at home or rent a local hall in the neighborhood.
Serving a Brunch or Lunch
Plan to serve a light brunch or lunch. If the gathering is a small – simple tea, coffee and dessert would be plenty. Add a few varieties of sandwiches and fruit for a more oversized crown. Again, keep the food simple but delicious.
Decorating Themes
Start your decorating project by choosing a theme. This will make it easier to coordinate your decorations and create an awesome party.
Choose a theme that relates to the guest of honor. Such as, if the person has always loved gardening, then incorporate gardening ideas into the room.
A travel theme party is fun. First, list all the places the guest of honor has visited. Then, decorate with items from these unique places.
Here are ideas for your senior citizen birthday celebration:
- Fifties Sock Hop
- Movies Throughout the Years
- Family – Children – Grandchildren photos and stories.
- Travel the World – Places the Guest Has Traveled
- Hunting or Fishing Theme
- Vintage Decorations found at Antique Shops
- Oldies but Goodies Music
- Charades
- Vintage Board Games
- History Trivia
Vintage Memories
Plan a theme using vintage items and decorations. Visit an antique mall and pick up some souvenirs from the past. Old toys, magazines, knickknacks, and tools make incredible table decorations. Use vintage tablecloths or runners to decorate. Complete the theme with favorite songs from the past.
Entertainment: Create a “This Is Your Life” Skit
Several years ago, I attended a friend’s birthday party where the grandchildren put together a “This Is Your Life” skit about my friend’s journey. They portrayed different scenes throughout her life. She grew up on a farm, heading off to college, meeting her husband, raising the children, and taking a few of her favorite vacations. The skit was fun to watch, and the grandchildren learned much about their gramma’s history. It was memorable and fun. The wealth of family history is in their memories.
From birth to 80, so much has happened. Create a timeline of events using photos or words to celebrate 80 years of life.
Plan a Few Play Games
Games make a party enjoyable and help break the ice between guests. Here are a few favorites.
- Trivia through the years.
- Charades
- Bingo
- Name that Oldie Tune
- Scrabble
- Cards
Hire a Photographer
Parties are a great time to take photos. It is an occasion when family & friends gather in one place. Hire a photographer to take a family portrait. What’s more, this will be a lasting memory for everyone.
Goodie Bags for Your Guests
Planning a birthday party for a senior citizen can be a fun and rewarding experience. First, however, it’s essential to choose a theme and activities that will appeal to your guest of honor and their guests.
One way to make the extra party special is to put together goodie bags for all attendees.
Fill the bags with puzzles, playing cards, and other small games that everyone can enjoy.
You could also include some healthy snacks, like fruit or nuts, and fun treats. For example, homemade cookies or cupcakes are always a hit.
Whatever you choose to include, make sure it is age-appropriate and sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Then, with some thought and planning, you can create goodie bags that will be enjoyed long after the party.
In place of Gifts
Here are a few ideas for gift suggestions:
- Have each guest bring a photo from the past that shows your guest of honor at an earlier age. Spread these out on a table.
- Ask each attendee to write a short note about something they remember most about the guest of honor. These are always fun because one never knows what other people remember.
One of the best presents to give your beloved senior is an afternoon of family and friends gathering together to celebrate life on their milestone birthday. That is to say, spending time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends, and neighbors is a gift cherished by both the honoree and the guests. So, invite the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.
There are many different birthday party ideas for senior citizens. One popular option is to have a picnic in the park. An outing to a park can be a lot of fun and a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.
Another option is to have a dinner party at a restaurant or in someone’s home.
Another idea is to have a themed party. For example, you could have a 1950s-themed party or a party with all of your favorite foods from your childhood.
Whatever option you choose, make sure that it is something that the birthday person will enjoy.