What time is it? Party time! And not just any party time... it's time to throw the ultimate 80th birthday party. Hitting your 80th trip around the sun is one to celebrate with all the pizzazz, sparkle, and balloons you can find. There's no wondering what to do for an 80th birthday. These birthday party ideas will be the talk of the guests for many birthdays to come.
80th Birthday Party Ideas
First things first: the birthday party should be catered to the special guest who is celebrating their 80th birthday. Here are a couple of ways to not only make them feel special but to get everyone happily involved in the party planning.
Photos and Memories
One way to celebrate 80 years of life is to gather mementos, photos, and memories of the past eight decades. Here's how to do this with photographs or even paintings:
- Ask everyone who will be at the party to bring along a photo of the person celebrating the birthday. These photos, put together, will tell a story of the person's life, including all of their loved ones and the major events that shaped the past.
- Hang the photos from bulletin boards, streamers, or large pieces of craft paper and display them during the party.
- After the party, put the pictures together in an album as a special memento.
You can also ask guests to write down a special memory or funny story about the person having a birthday. Gather the stories and present them to the guest of honor, or you can ask those with especially poignant memories or 80th birthday wishes to read them during the party.
Have guests attach a sticky note to the back of the picture about when the picture was taken and anything notable.
Take a Trip Down Memory Lane to the Year You Were Born
Taking a trip back in time can be fun for everyone involved in the party! Here are some ways you can incorporate the year the birthday person was born as a theme for an 80th birthday party:
- Do some research online or at your local library to find out what the fads were at that time. Using what you've learned, choose decorations to reflect these fads and styles.
- Serve food that was popular during the year or decade that the person celebrating a birthday was born.
- Use images of pop culture figures, product advertisements, and other famous brands or people as decorations.
- Find out what music was popular at the time and turn it into a playlist.
- Other lists include noting famous people who were born in the same year or decade, notable inventions of the time, and ways that life was different or simpler.
- Make sure the theme is also reflected in the birthday party invitations.
Surprise Room With 80 Balloons
Fill up a room with 80 balloons. If your loved one loves purple, make it fun by inflating balloons in different hues, such as lilac, purple, and lavender. Invite other family members and friends to join in on the fun and help turn the room into a fantastic balloon pit.
Throw a Backyard Barbecue Party
Fire up the grill and invite family and friends to celebrate a special birthday with a fun-filled backyard barbecue. Opt for an easy menu of traditional American favorites, such as burgers and hot dogs.
Family members can contribute with a side dish and drinks to make party planning easy for the host. For extra fun, hang party banners and string lights for a festive touch.
Make It a Grand Adventure.
Focus on all the ground the birthday guy or gal has covered in their lifetime. Have decorations focus on where they were born, grew up, went to college, or lived throughout their life. Include places they have traveled or have always wanted to travel, too.
For those who haven't gone quite as far, use important hometown and local spots as a focus for the decor and theme.
Other 80th Birthday Ideas for a Special Celebration
You don't need to have a big party to celebrate a birthday. You can also opt for something more intimate and personal.
Go Camping
If your loved one loves the outdoors, plan a weekend getaway and go camping. Opt for a cabin in the woods to make the experience more comfortable for everyone. Be sure to bring a cake and party decorations that are safe for the environment.
Plan a Picnic at the Park
A picnic at the park is a lovely way to celebrate an 80th birthday. Grab your picnic basket, a blanket, delicious portable snacks and drinks for the ultimate birthday party outdoors.
Enjoy the Beach
Spending a few hours at the beach is an invigorating way to celebrate a birthday. If it's during the summer and you want to enjoy the sunset, plan to organize an intimate get-together at the end of the afternoon. Everybody can enjoy an early dinner and cake before the sun sets.
Even if the beach isn't far from home, turn this occasion into a staycation at a local hotel.
Serve Breakfast in Bed
Surprise your loved one with a special breakfast in bed. If the grandchildren are visiting, encourage them to help prepare a delightful birthday breakfast. From fresh fruit juice to homemade pastries, be sure to include the birthday honoree's favorites.
Go to an Amusement Park
Looking for thrilling ideas for an 80th birthday celebration? Spend a few hours at an amusement park. Opt for mild kid-friendly attractions, such as small roller coasters and ferris wheel rides. Remember to take breaks to recharge your batteries and enjoy all the fun, nostalgic treats available.
Learn How to Fly a Kite
If your loved one has always wanted to learn how to fly a kite, a birthday celebration is a great excuse to find the perfect spot for this fun activity. Flying a kite is a great hobby for seniors as it helps with hand-eye coordination, provides light exercise, and gives them the opportunity to spend more time outdoors to breathe some fresh air.
Play Ludo
Add extra fun to a birthday celebration by organizing a Ludo match. Ludo is a wonderful game not only for seniors but for adults and kids in general for improving concentration power and triggering cognitive abilities while offering a great opportunity for quality family time.
Introduce Virtual Reality
Seniors are always willing to learn something new. Introducing a virtual reality game can be a great choice of entertainment for not requiring wires, computers, or external devices, from meeting up with their family members in a virtual space to playing games and going on an epic adventure around the world.
Plant a Tree or Garden
Spend the day planning and planting a garden with plants, flowers, and trees that are special for the birthday person! This is especially great for those who want something low-key and makes for an easy way to segue into a nice backyard BBQ.
General Considerations for an 80th Birthday Celebration
Turning 80 is no small feat; you'll want to celebrate accordingly. However, there are a few general things to remember while coming up with 80th birthday party ideas.
- 80-year-olds differ a great deal from person to person. Consider the overall health of the birthday person and the guests, and plan activities accordingly.
- An afternoon party is usually better than one that will run into the late evening.
- Consider dietary restrictions and food sensitivities when planning the menu and offer alternative options for those who need them.
- Make sure it's an accessible venue. If there will be people in wheelchairs or otherwise unable to climb stairs in attendance, ensure that ramps and elevators are in place.
- Have separate activities for children who will be at the party, as they will want to let off a little steam. Having something planned for them to do will keep them from running around underfoot.
- Plan the party well in advance so you'll have time to gather photos, get in touch with everyone you want to invite, and organize the event.
Make It a Party to Remember
Whether it's a large gathering with friends and family from both the past and present or a small family affair, an 80th birthday party is a special celebration. Take time and care to ensure that the birthday celebrant will enjoy the party and have the opportunity to share special memories with loved ones.
