Ah, the 50th birthday. For some, it’s a symbol of lost youth and aging. For others, it’s a time to reflect on a life well-lived. We prefer the latter. Planning a 50th birthday party for yourself or a loved one is an excellent opportunity to show them how much you care and celebrate with a bang.
Whether you’re an event planner or in charge of planning a 50th birthday party for a family member, friend or yourself, we’ve got some tips lined up for you. We’ll go over everything from colors to themes and games, along with some low-key 50th birthday ideas for the introvert in your life. It can be a sensitive age, and there’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive in.
A 50th birthday bash can go in hundreds of different directions, depending on your ideas and the personality of your honoree. Some concepts, however, apply to nearly every 50th birthday party:
The key considerations to weigh when choosing the right venue are:
The perfect venue should be logistically accessible for your guests, and it should be spacious enough to accommodate your guest list size. The right venue should also offer ample parking space, catering services and amenities that can add value to your event.
If you decide to host the party near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Colonial Gold and Tennis Club might be the perfect venue for your 50th birthday party celebration. Whether you’re hosting a small intimate gathering or an occasion that brings hundreds of loved ones together, our Harrisburg location can accommodate your birthday bash needs.
We offer a range of family-friendly amenities, from a luxurious restaurant to an aquatics center with a swimming pool and a splash pool. You can also choose between beautiful outdoor settings with breathtaking views or an elegant indoor ballroom. If you choose an outdoor celebration, we’ll make accommodations for your party to move inside if the weather changes.
The primary costs of hosting a birthday party are the venue, catering and decor. Beyond these costs, you should also budget for entertainment and a few miscellaneous extras, like a photographer and entertainers.
While tailoring your budget, list the maximum costs for each expense. Then, list the accurate costs of each item, from decor products to per-person catering charges. Depending on the venue, you might need to hire equipment like projectors, screens and lighting. By choosing a venue that offers these extras, you can simplify your budget. Otherwise, you can hunt for rentals that fit within your spending limits.
Once you’ve accounted for the major costs, you’ll need to budget for the smaller details, like birthday party invites and party favors. You can also work these costs out per person.
Setting the table is often a stressful element of hosting any kind of occasion. Between making sure everyone will enjoy their food to preparing meals perfectly and in time, handling catering on your own can be challenging. Fortunately, you can opt for catering services. Instead of sifting through countless recipes, you can pick a catering package.
At Colonial Golf & Tennis Club, our on-site catering services can simplify your menu. There’s no need to hunt for caterers or worry about potential cancellations. With our convenient catering, you can focus your efforts on other areas of party planning, and we’ll set the tables. Our catering services allow you to tailor your menu to all of your guests’ taste preferences and special dietary needs.
Different people in your life offer unique party-throwing opportunities. Consider characteristics that fit your guest of honor to truly make the party theirs.
Whether you’re planning something special for your sister, wife, mom or friend, the party you throw should match their personality. Take your honoree’s style and interests into account. You can go for a “50 and Fabulous” theme or a garden party.
Maybe they’re more on the elegant side and you want something as classy as possible. The sky is the limit, but be sure to avoid jokes. Turning 50 can sometimes be more of a difficult subject for women than men, so steer clear of teasing and humor unless you know for sure they would respond well.
Another way to make a party truly unique is to make it more experiential with an activity. Try turning their party into a wine and cheese tasting or a murder mystery game. If they’re on the artsier side, a wine and paint night could be just the ticket. Some 50th birthday party ideas “for her” that you may need to take outside the party location include:
On a similar note, planning a 50th birthday party for a man also asks you to think about his personality. If you want to do a humorous theme like “Over the Hill,” you might have better luck with a male guest of honor.
Make sure you know your honoree well and are 100% sure he is OK with it. Whether you’re planning a 50th birthday party for your husband, brother, dad or friend, you can always plan around their interests, too, such as throwing a golf- or racing-themed party.
Just like with women, experiential gifts are an excellent option for men, too. You can turn their party into a craft brewery “tour” with flights and tastings. Include pub food and an “aged to perfection” tagline. As for activities, try taking them:
Planning a 50th birthday party for your parents gives you some exclusive access to old photos and unique memories. You can play up the reflective aspect of the party and focus on a well-lived life so far. Try putting some of their favorite snacks or candies on display.
You probably know them better than most, so get personal and think about what they like. Work with your family members and make sure you all have a hand in the party. Nothing will make them feel more loved and appreciated than seeing their family come together to celebrate their life.
Got an introvert on your hands? Keep it small. Now, “small” can mean different things to different people, so try to understand what kind of events your guest of honor likes. Would a get-together with 25 of your closest friends and family be too much? How about something with just the core family?
For some low-key 50th birthday ideas, consider a game night. Set up various board and card games at tables for everyone to play through. A movie night is another option that stays laid-back. Set up pillows and blankets and maybe even a projector if your crowd is on the larger side. Air a favorite of your guest of honor and relax with some popcorn and soda.
Gold is a classic color theme for 50th birthday parties, symbolizing the “golden age” with elegance and refinement. Gold goes well with many other colors, but white creates a particularly classy contrast.
Of course, that’s not the only option. Other colors like silver, dark red and deep purple are also great choices. These bold, rich shades are sophisticated and elegant, and they work well with a variety of party favors and elements.
What events should you plan for a 50th birthday party? It’s easy to jump into funny games here, like “Pin the Hair on the Bald Guy,” but be careful. Many people are touchy about their age when they turn 50, so make jokes with caution. Only poke fun if you’re 100% sure the person will be laughing with you. If you’re not sure, skip it.
The following games and activities can be a hit at 50th birthday bashes:
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While some people like to pretend they’re not a day past 40, turning 50 should be a celebration, not an embarrassing moment. It’s an opportunity to relish how far you’ve come and all the accomplishments you’ve made.
By the time you reach this significant milestone, you likely have a family, a career and a home. Of course, these aren’t universal events, but no matter what you’ve achieved, this birthday is an ideal time to celebrate it. You can reflect upon your life, and others can learn about it. Plus, not many people will turn down a fun party.
Aside from having a fantastic birthday blowout, here are a few more reasons to look forward to the milestone:
It depends on the person. In many instances, people don’t like to suddenly find themselves in a party environment with no preparation. If they’re on the more introverted side, that’s even more of a reason to nix the surprise aspect of it. When you throw a surprise party, you rely on your knowledge of the guest of honor to guide your party planning. If you’re not absolutely certain that they would enjoy a surprise and the party style you’ve chosen, don’t do it. Ask them first.
Asking your honoree both prepares them for the event and gives you confirmation that your party is what they want. If not, you can redirect it and plan to their needs. You can invite the right number of guests and choose the location they like.
Don’t forget that it is their day, after all. Even if you think their request for something small is a little underwhelming, if that’s what they want, you can make their birthday better by abiding by that wish. Don’t force them into an uncomfortable situation because you think that’s what a party should be.
On the other hand, a surprise can add a little extra something to a party and make your guest feel special. Some people love a party but don’t want anything to do with planning. Others might have fun planning a party on their own more than having it done for them. If you’re not sure, the best approach is to ask whether they want to have a party and if they want to know about it ahead of time.
If they want to be involved, they can help plan and make it perfect. If not, you can keep all the information to yourself and make the party a semi-surprise. The honoree still won’t know what it will be like, who will be there and when it will be. It’s a great way to keep everyone happy and avoid a potential upset.
Planning the perfect 50th birthday party is no simple task. If you’re in charge of this milestone event and you’re near Harrisburg, Colonial Golf & Tennis Club can help.
Our flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces and beautiful views make it the perfect place to usher in a new decade of life. With convenient on-site catering services, choosing our venue can simplify your party planning checklist.
We can accommodate up to 250 people and will help you meet a variety of needs. Our in-house catering uses fresh, locally sourced food, and we can set it up as plated meals or a buffet. Whatever you have envisioned, Colonial Golf & Tennis Club can help bring your 50th birthday party to life. Reach out to us today for more information on hosting an event.