Birthday Party Ideas for Seniors

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I'm Too Young To Be This Old!

birthday-senior-partyGrowing older is something everyone faces. Every year brings us closer to another milestone in life. Some choose to celebrate these moments through hosting joyful birthday parties while others may prefer a more somber or casual atmosphere. As a child, every birthday would be celebrated with a party and gifts, creating a special day for the child as they grew older. Some may playfully embrace this trend and host parties that poke fun at their age by creating a light-hearted celebration while others may act playfully sour at turning 65. This is the theme beyond many I'm Too Young To Be This Old parties.

Throwing a surprise party for a 65 year old can sometimes be as difficult as throwing one for a 6 year old when the guest of honor is being playfully stubborn about their age and may not wish to create a big deal about their upcoming event. It may take some planning in order to wish the celebrant a happy birthday as they are often none too happy about turning 65! Often these parties are thrown to remind the guest of honor that they're only as young as they feel.

The birthday girl or boy may prefer fun and vibrant decorations at the location of the event. Large banners, posters, streamers and balloons are often used and may feature humorous sayings or comical images. Often gravestones, grim reaper images and gray colored decorations are used to create a whimsical celebration for the guest of honor. While these images may seem unusual, for someone who isn't happy about their age, playful and amusing reminders about life can help improve their mood by reminding them it's not about the number, it's how they feel.

Food for these parties may include candy and other popular treats from various periods in the celebrant's lifetime such as vintage candies or cakes. These candies can be found through online or local vintage or gourmet retailers and can help the lucky boy or girl feel like a kid again. Gifts may include vintage toys or other memorabilia from their childhood to make them feel young again. Games may also be played and can include favorite childhood games or even whimsical children's games such as hide and seek. Those who wish to add a more sincere and serious touch to the celebration may include presents that someone turning 65 may enjoy such as comfortable slippers or a plush house robe to wish them a happy birthday.

Birthday Party Ideas -How to Plan a 100th Birthday Party

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How to Plan a 100th Birthday Party

Turning 100 is a momentous occasion. Less than 2% of the US population reached their 100th birthday. Planning a birthday celebration for any centenarian takes sensitivity. Quite possibly they are frail and mobility challenged. The location of the party must take this into consideration.

Step 1. Discuss the party with the birthday celebrant. NEVER THROW A SURPRISE PARTY for someone this age. Together, work up an invitation list of friends and family members. Invitations can be created at PaperStyle.com.

Step 2. Know all you can about the birthday celebrant. If she is in a wheelchair or in ill health, hold the party at their home. If she lives in a nursing home, coordinate with the administrator for this very special event. You need to know about all allergies and limitations. For instance, if she can’t hear, don’t waste money on music.

Step 3. Plan the food. There may be rules to follow if she lives in a nursing home. If you can hold the party in a private home, consider hiring a caterer. An alternative is to ask friends to bring a dish. The hostess supplies only the Birthday Cake and drinks. 

Use the dining table with her best linens and china for a smaller group. Many centenarians are especially fond of their possessions and will have fond memories at dining table set with her beautiful china and silver.

Buffets will be difficult for senior citizens. If there is a large group of guests, put the food on a buffet or dining table, but have helpers serve the seated senior citizens—especially the birthday girl.

Step 4. Be sure to have a non-alcoholic punch or soft drinks as the celebrant or the elderly guests may need to avoid mixing alcohol with medicines. 

Step 5. Bake her favorite Birthday Cake. Top it with letter candles spelling out H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y or put three large candles for 1-0-0 on the cake. Western tradition allows for 100 small candles on the cake, but she probably cannot blow them all out, and this will make her feel bad. Click for Recipes>>> (Andrew make this a link)

Step 6. Entertainment should be appropriate for senior citizens. Children’s choir is a favorite. A violinist or pianist could provide background music as well as a set program. 

Step 7. Consider hiring a photographer or videographer. Copies of these mementoes will be cherished by all members of the family.

Step 8. Decorations make any location festive. Party supplies: banners, balloons, yard signs can be bought at your favorite party store or online:
Don’t forget flowers for centerpieces and corsage or boutonniere for the gentleman.

Step 9. Dress. Work with the birthday celebrant on dress for the day. Make sure has a current hair cut or hair style. Fix makeup for ladies and choose a great looking outfit. Buy a tiara for the birthday girl. Party supply places have fun ones with the number 100 prominently displayed. A funny hat for a birthday guy sets the party mood. They want to look and feel good for this special day.

Step 10. Gifts. Happy Birthday from the Today show and Willard Scott can be obtained by sending a request with a photo to: Willard Scott Birthdays, TODAY show, NBC News, 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016. NBC requests this information be in their hands 6 weeks prior to the recipient’s birthday. They cannot mention everyone on the air, but it doesn’t hurt to send in a request. Check their website for more details
Get a list of the birthday celebrants’ governor, US senators, and representatives, and mayor of their town. Write them with the details of the centenarians approaching birthday and ask them to send them a letter of congratulations. Most politicians have staff who tend to such matters. Click for a Sample request letter>>> (Andrew make this a link)

Contact the local newspaper and the church where the birthday girl or guy is a member. They will print it in the paper or church bulletin. Be sure to say that the birthday will be celebrated with a small, private gathering of family. This way, you won’t get party crashers.

A favorite gift is a digital picture frame with family photos. Gather all photos together, add music, and set it up as a continuous slide show. It is a wonderful way to remind centenarians of their extended family. If you have access to photos from their past, include them as well. 

Enjoy this very special party! You will make this person very happy on her birthday.

Sample letter to Mayor requesting a congratulatory letter for the Centenarian
Dated 6 weeks in advance of birthday
Mayor John Doe
City Hall Suite 100
City, St, Zip
Dear Mr. Mayor

It is my honor to prepare a birthday party for one of your city’s newest centenarians. Mrs. Jane Brown Smith has lived in your fine city virtually her whole life. She worked with her husband in his three businesses while raising her two children. She has been active in her church, name of church, and civic organizations, Kiwanis Club, Rotary, and Boy Scouts. List any awards or recognitions that she has received.

Mrs. Smith turns 100 years old on April 17, and it would mean a lot to her to receive a letter of congratulations from you, Mr. Mayor. Please send your letter close to her birthday to:
Mrs. Jane Brown Smith
123 ABC Street
City, St, Zip

Thank you in advance for making her 100th birthday special.
Very truly yours
Mrs. Smith-Jones, daughter

Birthday Party Ideas -How to Celebrate a Birthday Party in a Nursing Home

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How to Celebrate a Birthday Party in a Nursing Home

Do you want to celebrate Grandma's birthday, but signing her out of the nursing home and lugging the wheelchair around town seems like a bad idea? Chances are, Grandma has made friends at the nursing home who would love to join in her birthday celebration. Here are a few tips on how to throw a birthday party in a nursing home and include residents throughout the facility.

Ask for permission: The first vital step in planning any event at a nursing home facility is requesting permission. Most facilities are happy you're bringing an activity for the residents into the home. They will tell you what time is best for the residents to gather and probably allow you to decorate and set up in a room (such as a game room) for the gathering.

Remember special diet restrictions: Many of the patients are only allowed sugar-free treats unless prepared by the staff. If you can't find anyone to make a sugar-free cake, or you're simply not interested in going that route, buy some sugar-free cookies or angel food cake with fruit as an alternative to a regular Happy Birthday cake. Check out the recipe on this site for Diabetic Cake.  Make sure the nursing home staff is aware of what food you're bringing into the facility. Again, they might have suggestions.

Decorations: Bring lots of colorful decorations and Happy Birthday banners into the party room. Since residents aren't allowed to leave often, they welcome new surroundings. You could even have a theme, such as a luau.

Activities: Guests will enjoy looking at photos of the honoree. Mat and frame photos from childhood to adulthood, or bring photo albums for the guest of honor to enjoy and share. This will spark conversation for hours. Nursing home residents also enjoy games, but remember the physical limitations some will have. Bingo is a favorite, but it's one they may frequently play at the home already. Trivial Pursuit and Name That Tune are also great ideas. Ask if the facility will allow a karaoke machine in the party area.

Gifts: It is difficult to buy presents for a friend or family member living in a nursing facility. More than likely, they don't have much room and have very limited table space for knick-knacks. But your loved ones never grow tired of friendly faces. Give them a new family portrait framed for the wall. Many seniors have craft hobbies as well. Knitting or crocheting supplies, puzzles, books and movies are all great options. Don't ask the residents at the facility to bring gifts, as most are on fixed incomes and many don't have access to their money or an opportunity to purchase gifts.

Birthday Party for 90th birthday

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GrandParents Parties
 
GrandParents (or old people who aren't grandparents, yet) enjoy the attention of a birthday party like they did as a child.  A simple family gathering for a dinner at a restaurant or a large gathering at a dance hall, don't forget to celebrate your loved one's birthdays. 

At 90, You Really Can Let People Pamper You

A 90th birthday is more than a special day. Turning 90 is an important milestone worth celebrating. A 90-year-old may not think he or she wants a party or gifts and would instead prefer a simple "Happy Birthday". Friends and family of the birthday senior, on the other hand will undoubtably want to celebrate this special occasion. The best way to honor anyone, especially seniors, is to provide an event and gifts that makes the celebrant feel uniquely appreciated, special and loved.

To begin with the health and circumstances of the senior must be considered. If the senior generally feels unsteady or frail, one large party may be overwhelming rather than joyful. If the senior is living in a nursing home, a large party may not be better suited to the particular facility. Several smaller parties may be preferable and more manageable. Plus, it allows the senior to enjoy an extended celebration over a series of days in honor of turning 90.

If a senior is able to cope with, and would in fact revel in a large group of family and friends gathering to sing Happy Birthday, make sure the venue, home or restaurant is handicap accessible with appropriate restroom facilities and few stairs. In mild weather climates and months, a park with an outdoor pavilion, where guests of all ages can enjoy the company of each other, is another great way to throw a soiree.

Gifts for a 90-year-old can be tricky. Most individuals at this age, are at a stage where they already have, or are in the process of, divesting themselves of many possessions while downsizing. Presents designed to pamper are a great idea -- hand lotions, soaps, candles and air freshners for women. Men may appreciate aftershave or special snacks. Both would appreciate books, magazine subscriptions or DVDs of old movies and favorite televison shows. Photos that remember back to days gone by, of special loved ones or events from the past are always a treasured gift. Compile the photos in a scrapbook, place a single photo in a decorative frame or combine photos and related momentos in a shadow box.

Regardless of how you choose to pamper and celebrate a 90-year-old's birthday, do so with love and joy. Older generations appreciate it when loved ones take the time out of their busy lives to celebrate, bake a cake, frame a photograph, sing Happy Birthday and say "I love you."
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