Make sure your chosen venue is wheelchair-accessible (if necessary). Consider both the guest of honor and his or her friends.
Be prepared to change plans if the honoree is unwell on the date of the party. It would not be wise to have a 90-year-old attend a party if he or she was under the weather.
Offer to be a driver, or find someone who is willing to drive your honoree and his or her friends, if necessary.
If your birthday honoree loves the outdoors, consider booking a place in a local park and bringing food to cook on a grill. If your birthday honoree loves Italian food, book a private room at the nicest Italian restaurant in town, and decorate it before the party. If your honoree’s favorite and most memorable moment was her honeymoon in Paris, recreate a French restaurant in your kitchen and dining room and take her back to her younger days.
Would you rather a small family gathering, or a large event with friends included? Would you rather a party in the afternoon or in the evening? Would you like a home-cooked meal or a special meal at a restaurant? Are there any friends or other guests you would like to invite? (Think about the people you may not know personally). Would you like a certain theme? (Think color, country, activity, etc. ) What kind of birthday dessert would you like?
Plan to visit beforehand to lend a hand with cleaning, decorating, and preparing for the party. Do not leave this for the guest of honor to do!
Consider booking a private room. This is a way to make a regular restaurant reservation into a more luxe experience!
If it’s going to be a summer event, consider an outdoor location such as a beach or a park. Consider renting a boat and hosting a party on the water for any sea-lovers. Plan a gathering in multiple venues, such as a pre-theatre dinner at a local restaurant and then a walk over to see a theatre performance.
Call your local caterer to see if there is a minimum number of guests required at the party or money that must be spent at the caterer. You don’t want to be blindsided by a higher-than-expected food bill! Peruse your menu options, and ensure there is food that your guests would enjoy. Call around to find a reasonably priced caterer. It is always advantageous to get several price quotes from several different companies before settling on a caterer.
If your guest of honor loved to cook, serving an old family recipe can bring back good memories and create meaningful conversation. If your honoree comes from a certain cultural background, making food that can serve of a reminder of a homeland, possibly one not visited in a while, may be appreciated. If your guest of honor loves to try new or unique food, think of something creative that he or she might not have had for a long time- think sushi, ostrich burgers, calamari, lavender crème brulee- the possibilities are endless! Ask your guest of honor what he or she would pick if the dining possibilities were endless! This is the best way to ensure that the meal will make the 90th birthday celebration a special one.
Consider asking if anyone attending has any dietary issues or food allergies. Some common food allergies include gluten and shellfish, so make sure you are aware of guests with potential dining issues. Make sure you include at least one veggie dish. Your vegetarian attendees will thank you! A pasta dish with no meat or fish is usually a safe bet. Ask the restaurant if you can rename your chosen dishes in honor of the 90th birthday celebrating. Something along the lines like “Nonna’s Nineties Nibbles” as an appetizer or “Auntie Sue’s Special Spicy Salmon” can be a fun way to honor your loved one.
Make sure to ask for an RSVP. This will help you know what sort of venue is appropriate for the celebration. Offer to help friends and family from out of town book hotels, or offer up spare rooms with local family members if possible. This can help defray the cost for people traveling in from far away. Think about any possible “surprise guests. ” Did the guest of honor have a special army buddy that he still writes to? Does she have a childhood friend or a favorite cousin that she doesn’t get to see often? If so, these are the types of surprises that your nonagenarian is sure to appreciate.
Include memorabilia from past eras and events. Consider making a photo collage, or digging out an old high school diploma, awards and trophies, or wedding photos that will honor the birthday guest. This can be a great way for the younger generations to connect with the guest of honor. Make it a party! Include banners, balloons, party hats, a piñata, streamers, confetti, etc. Include anything that reminds you of a great celebration! Find 90th birthday-themed items! Many card stores (such as Hallmark) or party stores (such as Party City) will sell 90th birthday-themed items. Even a simple hat for the honoree can make them feel special.
If the honoree is a woman, consider taking her to get her hair done or nails painted before the party. These simple beauty splurges can make her feel special on her special day. Ask her if she would like a new outfit or new shoes for the party, and make it a point to take her on a special shopping trip before the day of the party. If the honoree is a man, consider taking him to get a shave or a haircut before the party. Ask him if he would like new clothing, a new hat, or a new belt for the party. Something as simple as a new accessory can help him truly feel honored on his special day.
Make up your own prompts, or try one of these: An embarrassing moment I had with John was…. . Something I thought I would never confess to John is…… The funniest moment I ever had with John was…… The moment I knew John would be my friend forever was…. . The time John and I got into the most trouble was when…. . The time I was most amazed by John was when….
Where did John go to high school? Where did John’s family vacation when he was a child? What was John’s salary at his first job as a grocery delivery boy as a child? What was John’s favorite sibling’s name? What kind of pet did John have as a boy? What is John’s favorite story to tell? What kind of car did John always want to own?
Include champagne (or sparkling grape juice). Make it a true toast! Ask several attendees beforehand to prepare a short toast. You don’t want to be left with a silent room when you propose toasting your honored guest.
Contact those who will be attending beforehand, and ask them to bring a favorite picture or a favorite letter to put in the book. This book can then be given as a gift at the end of the celebration.
