| If you're planning a big bash for someone who is | | | | that poses questions about the celebrant. Look for |
| going to turn fifty, forget an over the hill theme. | | | | little known trivia in the guest of honor's life, like |
| Instead, it's time to celebrate a special person who is | | | | favorites and experiences that are not common |
| about to be a half century young. Here are seven | | | | knowledge. Let everyone guess the answers, and of |
| ideas to make it a lively, fun and memorable 50th | | | | course, give a prize to the person who proves they |
| birthday party. | | | | know the birthday boy or girl the best. |
| 1. This is your life - on wheels. If the birthday boy | | | | 5. Blast from the past. For a 50th birthday party idea |
| or girl is currently living in the area in which he or she | | | | that will start everyone reminiscing, build the |
| grew up, start the festivities by taking a trip to all | | | | celebration around the past half century for the |
| the important places in the celebrant's life. Form a | | | | guest of honor and the world. Start with photo |
| caravan of cars or hire a limo if your budget allows | | | | invitations that showcase multiple pictures of the |
| and print a program or map highlighting each | | | | celebrant at different ages. Order personalized party |
| destination. Places of interest could include houses in | | | | favors that highlight facts and events from the year |
| which he formerly lived, his old school, site of his first | | | | he was born. Play music that was popular when he |
| job and church where he got married. Let the guest | | | | was in his teens and twenties. Decorate with |
| of honor point out the significance of each location. | | | | homemade poster size collages of photographs of |
| For the last stop, pick a restaurant that holds special | | | | both him and the world scene representing each |
| meaning to the person turning fifty. | | | | decade of his life. |
| 2. Second childhood. Now that the celebrant has | | | | 6. Missing persons. Track down old friends, |
| reached middle-aged maturity, it's the perfect time to | | | | classmates, coworkers and neighbors that the guest |
| throw him or her an authentic kid's party. Hire a | | | | of honor lost track of over the years. Invite them to |
| magician. Have face painting. Give out goodie bags. | | | | the 50th birthday party. It will bring back old |
| Line up for a pinata. Use paper plates decorated with | | | | memories and may reestablish some friendships. |
| his or her favorite action or cartoon character. | | | | 7. Getaway to an exotic locale. A weekend trip with |
| Serve cupcakes. | | | | a few close friends to a resort might actually cost |
| 3. Top five lists. Ask your guest before the party | | | | less than a huge, elegant birthday party. Destination |
| to let you know the top five things they like about | | | | parties are becoming very popular alternatives to the |
| Bob or their top five memories of Sue. Email, text | | | | standard celebration. But if you can't get away just |
| or even call people for this information to make it | | | | now, you can always fake it. Bring that fun location |
| easier and quicker for them to respond. Compile all | | | | to you by going with a theme like Hawaiian luau, |
| the answers, with a credit to who said each item | | | | Mardi Gras or fiesta. |
| listed in a memory book. Give it to the guest of | | | | This birthday is a milestone that should be celebrated |
| honor at his or her celebration. You might also want | | | | with style. So pull out all the stops and let that special |
| to edit down the answers to the best ones and | | | | person know how much he means to so many |
| make a top 50 book. | | | | people. Let these ideas inspire you to throw a great |
| 4. Birthday trivia. Another way to involve your guests | | | | 50th birthday party that will be truly unforgettable. |
| in the celebration is to create a quiz as a party game | | | | |