How to Organize an unforgettable 50th birthday celebration

50 is huge. It’s a milestone. Your 50th should be celebrated like no other.

No matter who you are or where you’re from, you deserve to celebrate your 50th birthday in a way that doesn’t just bring you joy, but also leaves you with beautiful memories.

Your 50th birthday should be about you. So, if you choose to celebrate your birthday with a big bash, you should definitely include all the people you love.

Photograph of a large formal family sitting at a dinner table, raising glasses of wine as they toast under an event tent in the evening.
50 is a big deal! – Photo: Pexels

But planning a 50th birthday party that reflects who you are and that includes everything in your life worth celebrating, isn’t easy. It takes a lot of effort. But trust me, it will certainly be worth the work when the day finally comes.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Read also: 13 50th birthday trip ideas on a budget

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Be original and creative – Photo: Pexels

The basics

If you decide to celebrate your 50th in a big way, you should start thinking about exactly what type of affair you’d like to have at least six months prior to the big day.

Whether you want a casual party or a major formal affair, one of the main things to focus on is the guest list. Set a realistic budget, one that you can afford but that is also reasonable for the number of people you plan to invite as well as the type of party you would like to have.

Graphic of floating donuts with pink icing and colorful sprinkles and a golden number 50 in a donut.
Photo: Shutterstock

Choose a date and location

If you’re planning something like a backyard BBQ, you’ll obviously have more leeway when it comes to setting the date and location.

But if you want to have your party at a restaurant or other venue, you’ll want to choose a date and reserve the location ahead of time as many popular venues are often reserved anywhere from a month to a year in advance.

So as soon as you decide on possible dates, and have a general idea of your budget, start researching and contacting potential venues.

Being open when it comes to dates and remaining somewhat flexible with your budget will give you wiggle room and likely reduce your stress. Sticking to a specific date and venue can complicate things very quickly.

Read also: Fifty 50th birthday gifts for women

Close up photograph of a hand lighting a roman candle in an elaborate cake with sliced strawberries on top.
Focus on food and entertainment. Photo: Pexels

Pick a theme

Choosing the theme for your 50th birthday party is when the fun really begins. Whether you choose to have an 80s-themed dance party, an elegant Gatsby-esque affair, or no theme at all, choosing color schemes and aesthetic preferences for the event is a big part of the fun.

Once you’ve picked your date, location, and decided on a theme, you can move on with the rest of the party planning process in a cohesive manner. Just make sure your choices reflect your personality.

Overhear point of view photograph of a woman's hands as she is about to write on the back of a pink envelope.
Photo: Shutterstock

Send invitations

Invitations may initially seem like a small detail, but they are actually incredibly important.

The design and style of the invitations give your guests a taste of what type of celebration you’re having and allow them to get your special day on their calendars. Make sure to have guests RSVP so you can plan on how many people will be in attendance.

Photograph of blue balloons and a note saying "You were born closer to the moon landing than to the invention of the Nintendo Wii."
You CAN go all out. Photo: Pexels

Food and entertainment

The easiest way to decide on what food to serve at your party is to tie it in with your theme and/or your personality. But also, make sure it fits your budget.

You might be able to coordinate so the menu coincides with entertainment and activities. For instance, if you’re planning a wine and cheese affair, consider hiring a sommelier to do wine tastings for your guests,

If you’re a chocoholic, serve a chocolate-themed menu and have a chocolate-making station where your guests can make and package their own treats.

Your 50th birthday celebration should be an event you and your guests will remember for a lifetime, so make your event as special and unique as your imagination and budget allow.

Also read: 50 Ways to celebrate your 50th birthday

Turning 50 is a big deal, and this birthday deserves a huge celebration. At this age you have overcome obstacles and come out on top. Cheers to that!

Shayne Rodriguez Thompson

Shayne is a freelance lifestyle writer with expertise in all things parenting, food and travel. She regularly contributes at MamasLatinas.com, CruiseCritic.com, independenttraveler.com and familyvacationcritic.com. Her career has allowed her to live out her passions while she raises her young family.

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