Turning 50… How do I throw a party people will talk about for years?

How many people are we talking? What are your friends like -if there was a theme would they commit enthusiastically or be awkward and embarrassed?

Same with dancing? There's no point in planning for a murder mystery if your friends hate that sort of thing, or a debauched coke strewn orgy if you were planning on inviting your boss and friends from church.

The main thing I'd suggest is to over invite -people are so flaky these days that many will drop out last minute. Even if they don't, by the time the "early morning tomorrow" and "got to get back for the kids"-ers have left the "last one standings" will just be arriving, mixed with people going outside for a smoke etc and it won't get too busy -whereas nothing ruins the mood more quickly than people sitting on the edges of a half empty room and a disappointed host pressing full plates of the vastly overcatered buffet into your hands as you leave.

Second most important thing is the venue - make sure people can get there easily and, ideally on public transport. Otherwise if half your guests aren't drinking it might damper the mood.

Send out invites EARLY so people can get babysitters booked in and then reminders 1 month and the weekend before.

I am mixed race anf
d had a huge 1970’s English children’s birthday tea plus a giant Chinese take away to celebrate both parts my background. We then went out to a casino.

An open bar, in that you pay for it all. I've held parties where I've paid the bar bill and people have remembered them for many years to come! Seems to be what people like for parties.

Loads of free booze, great music and good friends. Can’t be doing with fancy dress. It’s funny for five minutes. Parties I remember are ones with loads of dancing and laughter. Nobody is really bothered about the buffet. Karaoke is often fun too.

Treat the guests. Give them great food and drinks. Maybe a cocktail bar. Give your guests gifts. They will love it and remember it fondly.

A murder mystery?

Chocolate fountain always a winner.

A masked ball

I had a house party for my 50th, 20 of my dearest family and friends, no extras. We played shot roulette which was a great success . The party was catered, far too much food but it looked and tasted fab.

I think if the party has a DJ then you have to get a the volume right. I hate parties where you can’t hear people and nobody dances until the last 45 minutes.

What is the theme? Friend had a dress up 50th, which I realise isn't everyone's ideal, but its one of the most memorable for me. Her name is Sarah, so an S party. Come as a sailor, surgeon, surfer, starfish, Simpson etc.

I also agree that good food/drink is also memorable. Bad, undercooked or too little food is memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Get caught shagging someone you're not married to?

The food. Try to do something unique… think chocolate fountain, doughnut wall, sweet stand, cake of cheese, etc. before they all became overdone! Difficult to suggest things without knowing the theme.