Milestone Parties: General Guidelines

Reaching a significant milestone is an important event -- one that rarely goes unnoticed by the person or people who have achieved it. And in most cases, even the most ardent party-poopers are flattered and touched when those around them want to help celebrate their special day. Read on for a few suggestions about how to throw a great milestone party, for yourself or someone close to you.

	“A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.” -- Robert Frost

Whether you’re celebrating a 30th birthday or a golden wedding anniversary, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

To surprise or not to surprise?
Surprises are great, and are often OK even with those who insist they "don’t want any fuss." However, if you know your guest of honor would absolutely not welcome a surprise party, then respect his or her wishes.

If you do decide to go the surprise route, enlist some partners in crime to help you pull it off. Consider hosting the event somewhere other than your home, and have someone else coordinate RSVPs (or e-mail your invitations and set up a secret Hotmail account to handle replies). Make sure all your guests know it's a surprise, and have a decoy activity planned for the guest of honor that day.

Who to invite?
Get help with the guest list from friends and family. Contact old school chums, former neighbors, ex-coworkers – anyone you think your guest of honor would enjoy seeing. Chances are, you won't be at a loss for names!

Location, location, location
If the guest list is too large to accommodate in a home or backyard, consider renting a banquet hall or other venue for the party. Many restaurants have private rooms for rent, as do community and cultural centres.

Food and drinks: Work within your means
For food, keep things simple, particularly if you don't want to limit your guest list to pull off an elaborate menu. Buffet style is easiest, and if it's casual it can even be potluck or a selection of pizza and finger foods. Another option: Make (or buy) a selection of interesting appetizers ahead of time. You can set them up in stations, which encourages mingling, and each station can be decorated with photos or memorabilia. Or have the party catered by a local restaurant. Sometimes local cooking schools can also provide a catering service at a more reasonable cost.

If the party is being hosted at a restaurant, work out a set menu in advance. What you generally should not do: Invite people to attend the party and expect them to pay for their own meal and/or drinks. If your party is small and you are confident that all attendees would be comfortable with such an arrangement, fine. But as a rule of thumb, you should entertain in the style in which you can afford. If you don't want to limit the guest list but can't afford to provide a meal, host an afternoon drop-in and provide cake and coffee. The occasion should be marked by thoughtfulness and celebration, not the money you spend.

Group gift ideas: Creating keepsakes
Be clear about how you want gifts to be handled -- if you don’t want guests to bring any, indicate that on the invitation. Some people request donations to a particular charity in lieu of presents. If you do want to give your guest(s) of honor something to remember the day by, there are a few options (see Milestone Anniversaries and Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas for more ideas).

Memories album: Buy a photo album with removable pages and send one to each guest prior to the party. Each person can fill their page in with photos of themselves with the guest(s) of honor, funny or touching memories of times shared together, wishes for the future, or whatever they like. Discreetly collect the pages as guests arrive on party day, and present the album to the guest(s) of honor during the festivities so all can enjoy.

Memory quilt: Send each guest a small fabric square before the party. Have them transfer a photo, stitch or write a message on their square (fabric markers are readily available) or customize it in any way they like. The squares can be collected on party day and stitched together into a memory quilt for the guest(s) of honor.

Signed photo: Frame a photo of the birthday boy or girl, or the anniversary couple -- either from younger days or a more recent shot -- with a wide mat. Have guests sign the mat (tuck the frame and glass safely aside) in lieu of a guest book to give the couple a lasting reminder o f the special day.

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Related Articles:
Milestone birthdays
Milestone anniversaries (including gift ideas)
Theme Party Ideas