Fiftieth Birthday Party Ideas

Some of the easiest to plan and most fun to attend parties are themed parties. Try some of these theme suggestions for a fiftieth party.

Luau Party

Hawaii was the fiftieth and last state added to the U.S. linking it perfectly as a great theme for a fiftieth birthday party. Decorate with palm trees and flowers, or have the party in a garden if possible. Set up a tiki pavilion, tiki poles, give everyone flower leis and offer tropical flavor drinks and foods. Play Hawaiian music in the background. Popular luau games include limbo, hula hoop tournaments, and dress up contests.

1950's Theme

The fifties was the era of Rock and Roll, Sock hops, and juke boxes, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Drive-ins and Soda Shops. Decorate with records and music notes. Make the party area look like a soda shop. Play name that tune with fifties songs. Have a dance or hula hoop contest. Offer guests hamburgers and fries to eat and of course soda.

Golden Fiftieth Birthday

The fiftieth wedding anniversary is considered the golden anniversary, so why not carry the idea over to a fiftieth birthday party? Decorate in gold. Have a dinner party. Ask guests to dress up from their "golden years" i.e. when they felt the prettiest, happiest etc. Play a short version of "This is your Life" and invite guests to sign a guest book.

Half Party

The number fifty designates a half. When you turn fifty you have lived half a century. Display pictures from the birthday person's life. Ask guests to dress from two eras. For example their top half could represent the 80's and the bottom the 50's. Have guests show off their costume and have the other guests try to guess the two era's they are dressed from.

The 50 States Party

Hang cutouts shaped like the fifty states. Ask guests to dress up as if they are from a specific state. Pick states that have very obvious styles and stereotypes such as Texas (cowboy), Hawaii etc. Or you could ask people to dress up as a famous person from a specific state i.e. Dorothy from Kansas, Abraham Lincoln from Illinois etc. Serve foods that specific states are known for i.e. Idaho potatoes, Georgia Peaches, Florida Oranges. Ask people to write their names in states that they have visited or lived. Play a trivia game where you have to name the state capitols.