Themes, Decor and Friends Galore! 60 50th Birthday Ideas for a Good Time
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Over the hill? Psssht, you're just getting started! Whether you're planning a birthday party for yourself or if someone you love is the one blowing out the candles, a 50th birthday is a milestone to be proud of. You may not be 40 anymore (or 30 or 21—jeez, where did the time go?!) but remember that aging is a privilege not guaranteed. So, to celebrate the big 5-0 with your friends, family, and people who love you, get some inspiration from the following 50th birthday party ideas.
Keep reading for 60 50th birthday ideas organized by themes, the year of the gold birthday, and virtual ideas (for those who can't party in person with all of their loved ones).
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50th Birthday Theme Ideas
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1. "Aged to Perfection"
Just like a fine wine or a barrel of whiskey, you've aged in the most delicious way possible.
2. "Golden Girls"
Call on your old friends Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche and Rose.
3. "50 Shades of Fabulous"
No dungeon required, but it is a funny saying.
4. "Candy Land"
Complete with diabetic-friendly candies, Hershey Kisses with a sign that says, "Kiss your 40s goodbye!" and lollipops with a sign that says, "50 sucks!"
5. "Nifty Fifty"
Whatever "nifty" means to you, take that and run with it!
6. "Vintage"
Round out the theme with "1973" t-shirts and bags that boast the birth year.
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7. "Fifty AF"
Who says the millennials and Gen-Zers are the only ones who can use this abbreviation? You're 50 AF! Embrace it.
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8. "Fifty and Fabulous"
Truth is, you only get more fabulous with age. Hand out diva sunglasses, feather boas and other glamorous accessories.
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9. "WTF"
That stands for "Who's Turning Fifty?" Again, because we can embrace the funny abbreviations too.
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10. "Night Fever"
You were born in the 70s, baby, so embrace that funky disco music.
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Fun 50th Birthday Party Ideas
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11. Plan a surprise party (that is, if you're throwing the party for someone else!)
12. Experience a wine tasting
13. Sign up for a cooking class
14. Host a cookie decorating party
15. "25 Again" theme
16. Buy a luxury picnic package
17. Hire a DJ and dance the night away
18. Play a slideshow of pictures from every era of your life
19. Serve 50 cupcakes, one for every year of your life
20. Host a backyard barbecue
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Unique 50th Birthday Party Ideas
21. Throw a clam bake
22. Plan a destination trip
23. Shuck some oysters
24. Make personalized drink coolers with your face on them
25. Host a game night
26. Go on a road trip
27. Rent a space at an aquarium
28. Host a cocktail-making party
29. White party (where everyone wears white)
30. Host a tea party
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Virtual 50th Birthday Party Ideas
31. Take an online cooking class
32. Have a virtual dance party
33. Host a Zoom costume party
34. Sing and eat cake over Zoom
35. Sign up for a virtual embroidery class
36. Partake in online trivia
37. Try an online murder mystery party
38. Swap stories of you and your friends' lives online
39. Host a virtual dinner party
40. Try an online paint and sip
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Throwback 50th Birthday Ideas
41. Throw it back to the 70s with disco music
42. Have a M*A*S*H party theme
43. Dress up like Carol Burnett
44. Play music from the 70s, 80s and 90s
45. Have everyone dress up as Scooby Doo characters
46. Host a murder mystery party a la Columbo
47. Dress up like the Dukes of Hazzard
48. Go "retro"—whatever that means to you
49. Play episodes of The Brady Bunch on a loop
50. Have a superhero party with everyone dressing up like the Hulk, Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels, etc.
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Golden 50th Birthday Party Ideas
51. Everybody wears gold
52. Everyone wears white and you wear gold
53. Call it a "Golden Globes" party
54. Host a "Gold and Glitter" party
55. Call it the "Golden Age"
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56. Host a scavenger hunt where guests search for gold
57. Decorate with rose gold
58. Call it "silver and gold"
59. Decorate with marigolds
60. Let everyone interpret "golden" their own way and dress like that (Golden Girls, good as gold, gold mine, etc.)
