How to organize a 90th birthday party

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

A birthday is a meaningful and memorable event at any age, and obviously reaching the ripe old age of 90 is a good reason to throw a party! The details of the celebrations vary depending on the guest of honor, what matters is to make him feel important and loved. To celebrate in the best possible way, honor his wisdom, celebrate his life and wish him to live peacefully for many more years.

Steps

Part 1 of 5: Consider the Health and Interests of the Guest of Honor

Step 1. Consider whether the guest of honor is able to move on their own or needs assistance

Does it move easily or only with the help of someone? Do you have difficulty climbing stairs or walking in a crowded room?

Make sure the party venue is suitable for guests who are in a wheelchair (if needed). Consider both the birthday boy and his friends

Step 2. Consider if there might be any risks

For example, if your party is in January and you live in a snowy place, remember that it may be snowing or the cold may be bitter. An elderly person is more likely to get sick, so there is no need to expose them to the elements.

If the guest of honor is unwell on the day of the party, be prepared to change plans. It would not be wise at all to force him to participate

Step 3. Consider the means of transportation to get to the party and back home

Many 90-year-olds (not all) no longer drive their vehicles, or at least they don't do it every day. Consider if it will be a problem for the guest of honor.

If necessary, offer to accompany him, or look for someone who can make himself available for the birthday boy and his friends

Step 4. Keep the birthday party's interests in mind

You will be celebrating your 90th birthday, but you don't have to consider just this stage of his life. Instead, think about the guest of honor's current and past interests, then consider whether they can be integrated into the celebration. This is a great opportunity to unleash your creativity!

• If the birthday boy loves being outdoors, you could throw the party in a garden and have a barbecue.
• If you love a certain type of cuisine, book in a good restaurant, or hire a catering service and decorate the themed room.
• If his favorite memory is his honeymoon in Paris, recreate a French restaurant in the garden and in the dining room to make him relive his youth.

Step 5. Involve him in the preparations

Organizing the party together will give you new ideas for conversation and will also have fun. Here are some questions you might ask him:

• "Do you prefer a small family reunion or a big event with your friends?".
• "Do you prefer an afternoon or evening party?".
• "Do you prefer to eat at home or in a restaurant?".
• "Would you like to invite other friends or other people?" (consider people you don't know personally).
• "Would you like a themed party?" (think of a color, a country, a business and so on).
• "What kind of cake would you like?".

Part 2 of 5: Deciding Where the Party Will Be Held

Step 1. Ask the birthday boy if he would prefer to go out or stay at home

Consider factors such as health, independence, and cognitive status. The guest of honor may feel more comfortable in a family environment.

Step 2. Organize the party at the birthday boy's house

This will save him the stress of going elsewhere. In some cases it is preferable, in others frowned upon.

Plan to go to his house a few hours early to help him clean, decorate, and set up all the preparations for the party. Don't let him take on all these responsibilities

Step 3. Plan a party at a relative's home

The guest of honor will be forced out, but will feel more comfortable and peaceful than having a big party in a public place.

Step 4. Book at your favorite restaurant

It is another familiar place where the atmosphere will be jovial and festive.

You could book a private room in a restaurant; in this way the experience will be more luxurious

Step 5. Consider a creative alternative based on the birthday party's personality and interests:

the possibilities are many.

• If the event will be held in the summer, you could have the party outdoors, for example on the beach or in a garden.
• If the birthday boy loves the sea, you could rent a boat and organize the party on the water.
• Organize a party in more than one place, for example you could have dinner in a restaurant and then go to the theater.

Part 3 of 5: Choosing the Food

Step 1. Call a caterer

This will help you organize the party in a familiar and intimate place, while avoiding the stress of cooking and cleaning.

• Call a catering company to find out if a minimum payment or a minimum number of guests is required to request the service. You won't be so taken aback by an astronomical figure!
• Examine the menu and make sure the food will appeal to guests.
• Call more than one company to find a convenient one. It is always useful to ask for several quotes before making a choice.

Step 2. You cook

It is a wonderful idea to pay homage to the guest of honor or prepare his favorite dishes. Furthermore, it is a practical and discreet way to address any food needs of the birthday boy, without having to make them publicly known in a restaurant.

• If the birthday boy loves to cook, an old family recipe can awaken fond memories and spark touching conversations.
• If he comes from a place other than where he lives, he will appreciate foods that will make him remember his land, especially if he hasn't visited it for a long time.
• If you love trying new or unique foods, think of creative dishes that you may not have eaten for a long time, such as sushi, oyster burgers, squid soup, lavender crème brûlée - the options are endless.
• Ask the birthday boy what he would choose if the options were endless. This way you will make sure that the courses actually play an important role in making his 90th birthday special.

Step 3. Develop a menu together with the restaurant

In many cases it is possible to collaborate with a restaurant to create a specific menu, which will allow you to include some of the favorite dishes of the birthday boy and at the same time offer a good choice to the guests.

• Find out about any food problems or allergies of guests. For example, there are people who are gluten intolerant or allergic to seafood, so make sure you are aware of the needs of the various guests.
• Make sure you include at least one vegetarian course. Guests who follow this type of diet will thank you. You will be on the safe side with a dish of pasta without meat or fish.
• Ask the restaurant manager if it is possible to rename the dishes you have chosen in honor of the birthday boy. For example, names like "Grandma's Nibbles" or "Aunt Susanna's Grilled Salmon" are fun found to honor your loved one.

Part 4 of 5: Prepare for the Party

Step 1. Prepare a guest list

You could invite friends and family from near and far. It is the guests who make a party truly special.

• Make sure you ask for a confirmation of participation, this way you will organize yourself better with the preparations.
• Offer to help friends and relatives who come from outside to book hotels, or, if possible, invite them to stay in the homes of other family members. This way you will help reduce travel expenses.
• Think about possible surprise guests. Does the birthday boy have a correspondence with an old school friend? Do you have a childhood friend or cousin you love but don't see often? He will appreciate it enormously.

Step 2. Decorate for the party

It is an important step for any type of birthday. You can do this in a number of ways, from very simple to extremely whimsical decorations.

• Include relics from past eras and events. You could create a photo collage, find old diplomas, awards and trophies, use photographs of the birthday boy's wedding. It's a great way to connect the younger generation with the guest of honor.
• To create a festive atmosphere, use banners, balloons, hats, a pentolaccia, streamers, confetti and so on. In short, use anything that makes you think of a party.
• Look for themed decorations to celebrate 90 years. Check out the shops that sell party items and on the internet. Even a simple hat for the guest of honor can add a special touch.

Step 3. Prepare the guest of honor on the day of the party:

he will be grateful to you. Go out of your way to make sure he feels his best.

• If she is a woman, you may want to take her to the hairdresser and beautician before the party. These little gifts will make her feel special on her birthday. Ask her if she wants to buy some clothes or shoes, then take her shopping before the big day.
• If he's a man, you may want to accompany him to shave or cut his hair before the party. Ask him if he wants to buy clothes, a hat or a belt. A new accessory is enough to make him feel truly pampered on this special day.

Part 5 of 5: Organizing Activities for the Party

Step 1. Try to make fun of the birthday boy, but don't overdo it

This will help bring a smile to the guests and the guest of honor. Ask everyone present to write something about the birthday boy and give them a hint. Give the floor to every single person who wishes to speak. If the salon is large, prepare a microphone.

• Create ideas or use one of the following:

  • "An embarrassing moment that I shared with the birthday boy".
  • "One thing I never thought I'd confess to the birthday boy".
  • "The funniest moment I shared with the birthday boy".
  • "The moment I realized we were going to be friends forever."
  • "The moment we got in serious trouble."
  • "The moment when the birthday boy surprised me more than ever."

  

  Step 2. Prepare a quiz about the birthday of the birthday boy

  Ask questions about him and offer a prize to the winner. Include witty questions as well. Here are some examples:

  • Which high school did you attend?
  • Where did you go on vacation as a child?
  • How much did he earn when he worked as a delivery boy as a teenager?
  • What is your favorite brother or sister called?
  • What pet did he have as a child?
  • What is the story you love to tell?
  • What car have you always wanted to own?

  

  Step 3. Make a toast

  Attending a person's 90th birthday is a great opportunity to remind them that you value them. Make time for a toast and make room for people who want to talk.

  • Champagne (or sparkling grape juice) cannot be missing from a toast.
  • Ask several guests to prepare a short speech before the party. You certainly don't want everyone to be silent when you propose the toast.

  

  Step 4. Create a book to give to the birthday boy:

  it will help him remember this special day. Ask all guests to sign it and leave a short message for the guest of honor.

  Contact attendees in advance and invite them to bring a photo or letter to include in the book. You can give it to the birthday boy at the end of the party

  Advice

  • Invitations must be sent well in advance, especially to those who have to make a long journey to be able to participate in the event. The sooner you send them out (for example, 3-6 months before the party is more than reasonable), the more people will be able to attend.
  • The event must not be too long. 90-year-olds don't have enough energy to party all day, and the same goes for their children, who are probably 50 or 60 years old.
  • Don't book at the last minute. Churches, banquet halls and auditoriums often require deposits and reservations well in advance.