80th Birthday Party Ideas

The best 80^th birthday party ideas are those that are family oriented and tastefully organized. As we mature, we realize that family and friends are what really count in our lives.

None of the following 80^th birthday party ideas require loud music or loud games, nor do they require any type of hokey dress up or black-tie attire. What they do require is plenty of mutual respect and few stipulations either from the guest of honor or from the guests. When you reach the age of 80, there's no need to put on airs. Plan a party that's on the quiet side, and you're sure to gain plenty of approval from the guest of honor.

Quiet 80^th Birthday Parties
If the party is to be celebrated at the birthday boy or girl's home, make sure the guest of honor is not surprised by the event. Surprise parties are best reserved for younger crowds. Instead, be respectful. Ask what the guest of honor would prefer for a birthday party. If the preference is not having a party at all, it's up to you to respect those wishes. You can always bake cupcakes together. It also probably wouldn't hurt if you hummed "Happy Birthday" while you nibbled on your cupcake.

Another great way to celebrate this milestone birthday is to hold a sewing bee. Get the guest of honor together with family and friends and have each person create one square for a quilt. When the squares are all finished, you can sew them together and then present the finished quilt as a birthday gift. Encourage people to create squares that represent their feelings for the guest of honor, or that illustrate a favorite memory with the person.

For a man, don't overlook the power of photographs. Chances are that everyone in the family, as well as close friends, has snapshots of the guest of honor taken throughout the years. Ask everyone to bring photos that they can share and collect them in an album to present to the birthday boy. It's easy to have old photographs duplicated and even retouched to make them look as good as the day they were taken. Indulge the guest of honor's desire to share stories about the moments in those photographs.

Holding an 80^th Birthday Party
If your guest of honor is up for a real party, don't disappoint. This milestone is worth the extra effort.

• Have an intimate dinner with family or close friends at a nice restaurant. Reserve a small room or simply get a big table in the dining room. Try to find a place that's special to the guest of honor. The restaurant can provide the cake, and guests can bring gifts.
• Celebrate with family at a special location such as the beach or a cottage. Serve dinner, or grill, then enjoy good-sized helpings of cake and ice cream. If the family has a vacation home, this is the perfect time to use it. If not, rent a home in a location where the guest of honor frequently vacationed.
• Have a picnic in the park, complete with cupcakes and candles. Open presents under the shade of a big tree, then play board games at picnic tables or on blankets in the grass for the remainder of the afternoon.

Travel and mobility do become issues for many people as they age. Make sure any venue you choose is easily accessible.

Do try to invite as many family and friends as possible. It's a good idea to send invitiations out at least two or three months before the party, so that people have time to plan. If people cannot attend in person, encourage them to send audio or video of their best wishes. The guest of honor will be thrilled to hear and see voices from the past.