60th Birthday Party Ideas – The Ultimate Guide

Hitting the 60-year milestone deserves to be celebrated. Your 60th birthday party should feature your favorites, food, music, activities, and people. So, whether you’re planning a 60th birthday party for yourself or a loved one, we’ve prepared a guide to help you with 60th birthday party ideas so you can celebrate your milestone with style.

Step 1 – Choose a Theme for the 60th Birthday Party 

Themed parties aren’t only enjoyable and exciting; they can make party planning easier. Having a theme in mind can help you pick relevant decorations, entertainment, and food relatively quickly. Here are some of the most popular themes if you’re looking for 60th birthday party ideas to plan a party:

Black and White Birthday Party Theme

A black and white theme for a 60th birthday party excludes sophistication and elegance. Guests can be requested to dress in black-tie attire while the venue can be decorated with white-and-silver balloons and plinths, elegant trestle tables, and festoon lights can be hung from ceilings or doorways. Moreover, a black-and-white cake, signature cocktails, and a live performance with soft music can perfectly set the mood for the party. A selfie photo booth with black-and-white props can also be set up to capture memorable moments.

Garden Birthday Party Theme

A blissful garden party surrounded by nature and a cool breeze can be an ideal way to kickstart a new decade. Go for floral arrangements, vintage mismatching china, plinths, festoon lights, and rustic wooden décor for a refreshing ambiance. A bar serving chilled elderflower, gin, and tonic, and Pimm’s can also be a wonderful addition. If a vintage garden party isn’t your deal, there are several other themes you can consider when planning a garden party. These include a Hawaiian beach party or an outdoor garden movie night.

James Bond / Casino Royale Birthday Party Theme

If you’re in the mood for a thrilling and glamorous celebration, consider hosting a James Bond-themed party. Guests can be requested to arrive dressed as secret agents and gorgeous Bond girls. Think of a royal entrance draped with a red carpet, black drapes, Martini glass centrepieces, black or red backdrops, and Ottoman cube leather furniture. Lastly, craft the perfect playlist for a James Bond-themed celebration and transport your guests to the thrilling world of 007.

Step 2 – Create a Guest List 

The guest list is one of the most important aspects of any party. The guest list for one’s 60th birthday party largely depends on your preference for the number of people you want around for such a significant celebration. However, it is recommended to include family, close friends, coworkers, or anyone else who has played an important role in your life.

If you (or the guest of honour, if you are planning the party for someone) prefer socialising, consider including more coworkers and community members on the list. It can be helpful to consult the person being celebrated when making a guest list to avoid missing out on any important people. However, be mindful of the budget and venue capacity.

Step 3 – Send Out Invitations 

Once the guest list is finalised, move on to the invitations. The style of the invitations depends upon the theme of the party. If the party is highly theme-specific, the invitations should be customised to match the theme and tone of the celebration. However, if you’re not going for a particular theme and want to keep the party formal, opt for elegantly printed invites with gold-foil details, while a casual or laid-back party can work with simple but colourful designs. You can choose to send out invitations on paper, digitally, or even through group emails or social media.

Step 4 – Plan the Activities 

Simply inviting your guests to a celebration without fun and engaging activities to keep them entertained won’t do. Several activities can be planned to ensure the guest of honour is celebrated with laughter and cheers. Here are some activities to include on a special day to ensure no one gets bored:

Memory Lane Slideshow: Create a picture slideshow or a video with bits and pieces from the guest of honour’s life (covering childhood years, teenage years, college years, marriage, kids, travel, and career milestones). Play the montage on a projector or TV with bittersweet music in the background to celebrate the 60th birthday. Make sure to ask friends and family for memorable photos and video clips.

Karaoke Night: If the guest of honour is a music lover, surprise them by setting up a karaoke station with their favourite songs. Encourage the guests to perform duets and host a competition for “The Best Performance.” A small prize can be planned for the winner to keep it competitive and exciting!

Casino Night: For a James Bond-themed party, set up a thrilling games station and play poker, blackjack, and roulette tables where guests can play with fake money and feel like secret agents on life-changing missions!

Step 5 – Plan the Menu

Food and drinks are a key aspect of any celebration and determine the party experience for the guests. The menu should cater to the preferences of the birthday star and include their favourite items. However, if you’re looking for a generalised idea about how to approach the food, here are a few options:

Potluck Celebration: If the guest of honour is a fan of homemade food, a potluck celebration where guests bring their favourite recipes can be fun.

Food Stations: If the tone for the celebration is casual and fun, set up a food station with diverse food options catering to different preferences.

Fine Dining: For a formal gathering, think of a luxurious dinner and a multi-course meal with good-quality wine.

Step 6 – Plan Keepsakes 

A 60th birthday party is an important celebration everyone involved will always want to look back on fondly. Therefore, it’s important to include keepsakes that guests can take home and cherish long after the party. Keepsakes can include photos from a selfie photo booth that guests get to keep or personalised party favours such as mini plants, scented candles, and engraved keychains.

Frequently Asked Questions—FAQs

What is the best theme for a 60th birthday party?

The perfect theme for a 60th birthday party depends upon the preferences of the birthday star and their guests. For a peaceful and calm celebration, a vintage garden party is usually preferred. However, for a high-energy party filled with dance and music, think of a nightclub or 70s or 80s retro theme.

What is the tradition for a 60th birthday celebration?

Traditional elements for a 60th birthday party differ based on cultures and regions. In certain cultures, turning 60 is celebrated by gifting rubies or diamonds, as a 60th birthday is associated with diamonds. Golden decorations kickstarting “golden years,” along with family gatherings to celebrate the guest of honour, are also common.

How do you organise a 60th birthday party?

To start organising a 60th birthday party for a loved one, pick a theme, and plan the décor, guest list, food, and drinks menu, and activities list, and start moving on the arrangements! To make the task of organising such a significant celebration easier, consider hiring an event services vendor to manage the availability, delivery, and setup of décor.

A 60th birthday is one of the most significant celebrations for your loved one. Although organising the day may seem challenging, with some creativity and effort, you will be able to organise the perfect day the birthday star will look forward to for years to come!