Birthday celebrations at any age can be meaningful and memorable, and a 90th birthday is an important anniversary that deserves to be celebrated! The details of the celebration may vary for each 90-year-old whose birthday is to be celebrated. However, every celebration will make them feel important and loved. It's a good idea to focus the party on appreciating the wisdom that comes with age, celebrating a life well lived, and wishing you happiness in the years to come.
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Part 1 of 5: Consider the Guest of Honor's Health and Interests
Step 1. Find out if your guest of honor is still active enough or needs an assistant
Does he come easily enough on his own, or does he need help? Is it difficult for him to walk, or to walk in a room full of people?
Make sure the venue you choose is easily accessible by wheelchair (if necessary). Pay attention to the guest of honor and his friends
Step 2. Pay attention to whether there are any possible risks
For example, if the party is planned for December and you live in a mountainous area, consider the possibility of rain or very cold weather. It's best not to ask the elderly to go out and face bad weather so that they get sick.
Be prepared to change plans if the guest of honor is not feeling well on the day of the celebration. It's best not to ask a 90-year-old to come to a party if he or she isn't feeling well
Step 3. Think about transportation to and from the party venue
Many (though not all) 90-year-old parents no longer drive their own vehicle every day. Understand if this is a problem for your guest of honor.
Offer a driver, or find someone who is willing to take your guest of honor and friends, if necessary
Step 4. Remember the interest of the guest of honor
Even if you're planning a 90th birthday, don't focus the party on the number 90 alone. Instead, think about current or past interests of your guest of honor and try to incorporate those at a party. This is a great opportunity to do something creative!
- If your guest of honor enjoys the outdoors, make a reservation at a local park and bring some food to bake.
- If your guest of honor enjoys Italian cuisine, book a private room at the nicest restaurant in town, and decorate the room before the party.
- If your favorite and most memorable moment was his honeymoon in Paris, set up your kitchen and dining room like a French restaurant and take your guest of honor as if he were back in his youth.
Step 5. Invite your guest of honor to plan a party
Asking her to plan a party is a great and fun topic of conversation to get them involved in the party process. Here are some questions you can ask:
- Do you prefer small celebrations with family or big events with friends?
- Do you prefer day or night parties?
- Do you like home cooking or special menus from restaurants?
- Any friends or other guests you'd like to invite? (There may be others you don't know personally).
- Do you want a custom theme? (Think color, country, activity, etc.)
- What do you want for a birthday party dessert?
Part 2 of 5: Choosing a Party Venue
Step 1. Ask the guest of honor if he would like the party outdoors or indoors
Taking into account health, independence, and mental condition, parents tend to be more comfortable with a familiar atmosphere.
Step 2. Have a party at the guest of honor's house
By having a party at his residence, the guest of honor does not have to stress about having to go to another location. In certain circumstances this is preferable, but some others may have a different opinion.
Plan a visit ahead of time to help clean, decorate, and prepare for the party. Don't let the guest of honor do it himself
Step 3. Have a party at a family member's house
Although for the guest of honor this was a change of atmosphere, it was perhaps more comfortable and intimate than planning a large gathering in a public place.
Step 4. Reserve a place at your favorite restaurant
A favorite restaurant can be a familiar place but still provide the social and celebratory atmosphere that the guest of honor wants.
You can book a private room. This will make a reservation at a regular restaurant a more luxurious experience
Step 5. Consider creative alternative options
Depending on the unique personality and interests of your guest of honor, there are many creative places to throw a fantastic party.
- If later the party takes place in the summer, you can choose an outdoor location, such as the beach or park.
- You can rent a boat and hold events on the water for sea lovers.
- You can meet in several places, such as having dinner before going to the theater at a restaurant and then moving on to see a theatrical performance.
Part 3 of 5: Party Food
Step 1. Use catering services
It's a good idea to use a party catering service so you can have a party in a family and friendly atmosphere while you don't have to stress about having to cook and clean up.
- Call the local catering service provider to get information on the minimum number of guests or the minimum price for ordering. Don't let you get a higher bill than expected food.
- Read the menu options carefully, and make sure there are foods that guests will like.
- Get a catering service provider at an affordable price. We recommend that you get several price offers from several companies before setting up catering services.
Step 2. Cook your own party food
Cooking your own meal is a way to honor your guest of honor, or simply treat him to his favorite meal. Cooking your own party food is also a smart way if your guest of honor has certain restrictions, so you don't have to openly tell the restaurant.
- If your guest of honor enjoys cooking, serving up old family recipes can bring back fond memories and create meaningful conversations.
- If your guest of honor comes from a different cultural background, making a meal reminiscent of your homeland, which you may not have visited in a long time, will be appreciated.
- If your guest of honor enjoys trying new or unique foods, think about unique foods that you may not have enjoyed in a long time – such as arsik, pampis, buntil, pancakes, and many more possibilities!
- Ask your guest of honor what he wants if the menu possibilities are endless! This is the best way to ensure that the food served will make a 90th birthday celebration special.
Step 3. Create a “menu series” in the restaurant
It is often possible to work with a restaurant to create a “menu set,” so that you can include some of your guest of honor's favorite dishes while still providing selected dishes to other guests.
- It's a good idea to ask the audience if there are any abstinence or food allergies. Commonly allergenic foods include gluten and shellfish, so make sure you know guests who may be allergic to these foods.
- Make sure you include at least one vegetable menu. Vegetarian guests will appreciate it! Pasta menus without meat or fish will usually be preferred.
- Ask the restaurant if it's okay to give your menu a new name in honor of the 90th anniversary celebration. Names like “Nonna's Favorite Cake” for an appetizer or “Aunt Sue's Special Spiced Salmon” are fun ways to honor a loved one.
Part 4 of 5: Preparing the Party
Step 1. Create a guest list
Consider inviting friends or family near and far. The people in attendance will make the event special for your guest of honor.
- Make sure you ask for confirmation of attendance (RSVP). This will help you figure out a suitable place for the celebration.
- Offer to help friends or family from out of town to book a hotel, or offer a vacant room for a family member who lives in the city. This will help reduce the cost of guests arriving from far away.
- Consider the possibility of a “surprise guest.” Does the guest of honor have friends he still keeps in contact with? Does he have childhood friends or favorite cousins that are rarely seen? If anything, surprises like this one the 90-year-old guest of honor would surely love.
Step 2. Decoration for the party
Party decorations are important for a birthday celebration. There are many ways you can do to decorate a 90th birthday party, ranging from simple to very luxurious.
- Enter memorabilia from the past and events. You can make photo collages, or look for high school diplomas, certificates and trophies, or wedding photos that will honor the guest of honor. This can help the younger generation to get to know the guest of honor better.
- Make a party! Include banners, balloons, party hats, piñatas (dolls with gifts), decorative paper, confetti, etc. Anything reminds you of a big party!
- Get something to match the 90th birthday theme! Many card shops (such as Hallmark) or party gift shops sell 90th birthday-themed items. Even a simple hat for the special guest will make them very special.
Step 3. Prepare the guest of honor
On the day of the party, it's best to help the guest of honor prepare to look his best for the celebration.
- If the guest of honor is a woman, help her do her hair or paint her nails before the party. Spending money on a simple beauty like this can make her feel special on a special day. Ask her if she wants a new dress or shoes for the party, and take her shopping specially before the day of the party.
- If the guest of honor is a man, you can ask him to shave or get a haircut before the party. Ask her if she wants to wear a new dress, a new hat, or a new belt for the party. Something as simple as a new accessory can make her feel truly honored on that special day.
Part 5 of 5: Planning a Party Event
Step 1. Try asking questions to explore memories and cuteness (gentle roast)
Gentle roasts are a great way to make the whole room (and the birthday party's guests of honor) laugh. Ask everyone in the room to write a message about the guest of honor spontaneously. Ask people who can speak up front one at a time, and make sure you use a microphone if you're in a large room.
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Do it spontaneously, or try one of these things:
- The embarrassing moment I've ever had with John was…
- What I thought I would never admit to John was……
- The funniest time I ever had with John was……
- I knew John would be a true friend of mine when…
- John and I had the most trouble when…
- I was so amazed at John when….
Step 2. Create a “quiz” based on the guest of honor's life
Ask questions about the guest of honor's life and give gifts to those who know him best. Also make sure to include humorous questions! Some of the questions, for example:
- Where is John's high school?
- Where did John's family usually go on vacation when he was a kid?
- What was John's salary when he was a child and worked as a grocery delivery boy for the first time?
- What is the name of John's favorite brother?
- What was John's pet as a child?
- What is John's favorite story?
- What kind of car has John always wanted to have?
Step 3. Toast
By attending his 90th birthday party, the guest of honor will know that he means a lot to you. Plan a time for people to toast if they are willing.
- Have champagne (or sparkling grape juice). Cheers earnestly!
- In advance, ask some in the audience to prepare a short toast. Don't let the whole room sit still when you ask your guest of honor a toast.
Step 4. Create a gift book
This will help your guest of honor remember his special day. Ask everyone in the audience to sign the book and write a small message to the birthday party.
Call the people who will be in advance, and ask them to bring their favorite photo or letter to put in the book. This book can be given as a gift at the end of the celebration
Tips
- Invitations should be sent early, especially for those who have to travel to attend the event. The earlier you send out invitations (for convenience's sake; for example, 3-6 months before the party), the more people will be able to attend.
- Try not to make this event too long. A 90-year-old may not have the stamina to take part in an event that lasts all day. So are their children in their 50s and 60s!
- Don't wait until close to D-day to reserve a spot. Churches, halls, and auditoriums often require advances and reservations.
