Host a Multi-generational Birthday Party

The next time a friend or loved one has a birthday, consider hosting a multi-generational birthday party instead of the usual kids-only or adults-only party. A multi-generational birthday part is a party that includes guests of all ages-from small children to senior adults. We recently had the opportunity to host this type of birthday party, and young and old alike enjoyed a wonderful time.

So often in our society, generations are segregated. The adults go off to work with other adults. The children go off to school with other children. The age segregation continues even into our leisure activities. How many children-only birthday parties have your children attended where the main activities centered on the child's interests? Or, how many adult-only office birthday parties have you attended? Yet the generations have much to offer each other.

"And Bring the Family…"

It's not too difficult to create an invitation for a multi-generational birthday party. Start by inviting the usual guests (children in your kid's class for a child's party, adult co-workers in the office for an adult party). Include the words "and bring the family" in the wording of the invitation. When guests call to RSVP, reinforce that all family members are welcome to attend.

"But I'm single and all my friends are single," you may be thinking "I don't know any seniors or anybody with kids." Even singles that don't normally interact with families can host a multi-generational party. Start by inviting the usual guests. Next, try branching out to invite those you normally wouldn't include. Look around your apartment building or neighborhood. Perhaps the elderly couple at the end of the street would enjoy a get-together with others in the neighborhood. Perhaps the couple with baby in your apartment who just moved in would enjoy meeting some people.

Location, Location, Location

It is important to give some thought to where you hold a multi-generational party. The local kid's arcade is probably not a good choice for this type of gathering. Likewise, the office (where things can break and kids can get into things) might not be a good choice of location.

Often, your own home offers a good environment for many different age groups. Although, if you know preschool children will be attending you may want to put up your breakable items. If you live on a second floor, give some thought to whether or not senior guests will have trouble with the stairs.

In the summertime, a good location for a birthday party can be the local park. Most parks allow you to reserve picnic tables in advance. Be sure to call and check.

Many family restaurants often have a room set aside for large parties that could be reserved for your occasion. Again, be sure to call and check.

What's Cooking?

If you are serving a meal, you will want to pay special attention to the menu for a multi-generational gathering. Avoid such kids only pleasers as macaroni and cheese or smiley face cookies. Also stay away from highly spiced foods such as Asian or Indian cooking that might not agree with everyone.

I've found it's best to stick with classic people pleasers when serving to all ages. For our party we had many varieties of pizza (which can be ordered with veggies only, with cheese, with pepperoni, etc.). A fruit and veggie tray can be added for those with dietary restrictions. Grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with potato salad can be another crowd-pleasing menu option. If you know that young toddlers or babies will be attending, banana pudding, jello, and ice cream are sure pleasers.

Stay away from any cuisine that would endanger children in attendance such as alcoholic beverages or dishes that you serve on excessive hot utensils.

Activities

The best activities at a multi-generational party are those that get the age groups to interact with each other. If there are lots of families with children in the group, consider a girls (with girls from 5 to 65) versus boys (with boys from 5 to 65) game of Frisbee.

At our party, we played a trivia question game that was enjoyed by both the school age children in attendance and by the adults. Consider asking each attendee to bring their own favorite game and be prepared to teach others to play. This could be a golden opportunity to learn such classics as Bridge and Dominoes.

However you plan it, a get-together that includes all ages is sure to be a winner. So, when for your next birthday party, consider making it multi-generational.