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Original poster

What does a 50th birthday for around sixty guests look like?

27 replies

YesILikeItToo · 10/01/2022 19:48

I have a very blank canvas for any fiftieth celebrations, and too many possibilities makes for poor inspiration. To get some idea, I’ve drafted a first round guest list, but I could get more or fewer if the format demanded it. What are you looking for in a party? Drinks and nibbles at home (like a student house party of old, but with waiters?) or would you like to go out for a chance to hit an actual dance floor? Party to be later this summer - possible pandemic complications to be ignored at this stage, and factored in later once inspiration has gripped me.

OP posts:
Havilland · 10/01/2022 19:49

I would book a local wedding venue.

Original poster
YesILikeItToo · 10/01/2022 20:00

For a dinner dance, @Havilland?

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 10/01/2022 20:12

We had a fancy dress party for about 100 in a village hall with a cheesy disco. I made two vats of chilli (one meat, one Quorn) and served with tortillas - the Doritos type. Put some money behind the bar. It was a bloody brilliant night. 60 is on the horizon. No idea how I'm going to top it.

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Events & celebrations
StormzyinaTCup · 10/01/2022 20:13

Throwing an idea into the ring for you OP.

If it's the summer and you have a reasonable sized garden you could have a small marquee and get one of those companies in who will do you a hog roast BBQ. My sister did this and it was a huge success, the guys did all the cooking and all my sister had to do was set up a small bar, she provided some side accompaniments (salads etc) and then she cracked on with enjoying the party.

Kittykat93 · 10/01/2022 20:16

@StCharlotte

We had a fancy dress party for about 100 in a village hall with a cheesy disco. I made two vats of chilli (one meat, one Quorn) and served with tortillas - the Doritos type. Put some money behind the bar. It was a bloody brilliant night. 60 is on the horizon. No idea how I'm going to top it.

I'd love to be popular enough to hold a party like that...about 6 people would turn up to mine 😆

furballfun · 10/01/2022 20:22

For a similar event, we hosted an 'open house' at a local village hall - we provided refreshments (but no meal) 3-7pm, and suggested that guests came (and left!) when it was convenient for them - it meant we had plenty of time to talk to everyone, but no individual had to be there for hours! It also helped those guests who struggle with large gatherings - two commented that they only came because they knew they could leave at any point without being rude. We couldn't get caterers so only had cold drinks (including alcohol), but it meant we were with our guests the whole time.

LagganBubble · 10/01/2022 20:28

I joined up with a pal who turned 50 the same year. 100 guests, village hall + marquee, live band & Spotify playlist after. 2 barrels of beer, lots of wine & soft drinks (we provided these) and friends brought puds. It was the best night ever!

mrsbyers · 10/01/2022 20:31

I hired the hall at our local cricket club for my 40th , well it was zero to hire it just provided a buffet and a DJ it was a great night

VittysCardigan · 10/01/2022 20:41

@mrsbyers I did the same for my 50th. Also hired a photobooth which was a big hit

VittysCardigan · 10/01/2022 20:44

I also put glow sticks, bubbles & other daft party bag type toys on the tables - there were no children only adults Grin Everyone had a great time & it still gets talked about.

Carriemac · 10/01/2022 20:51

We had casino tables and a Indian caterer for the last party for 50 People - worked really well as had peope who didn't know each other there so great for mingling people .

Kite22 · 10/01/2022 21:06

I think it depends if you like a boogie or not.

I do, so I would want the chance to have loads of friends, loads of cheesey music and hit the dance floor.
dh OTOH would come if I arranged something like that for his 50th Grin

Also will depend on budget of course. I mean a sit down meal then music afterwards would be lovely but would of course cost a LOT more than just a party.

Sammysquiz · 10/01/2022 21:08

Drinks and nibbles at home (like a student house party of old, but with waiters?) or would you like to go out for a chance to hit an actual dance floor?

But which would you prefer OP? It’s your event, needs to be what most appeals to you, not your guests!

Scarby9 · 10/01/2022 21:09

Mine was on a riverboat.
Clear start and finish time (everyone trapped on board!)
Free drink on arrival. Paid bar after that.
Buffet.
Birthday cake.
Disco below deck, or sit and watch the riverbank go by and chat on deck.
It worked really well.

Original poster
YesILikeItToo · 10/01/2022 21:22

@Sammysquiz has it - I’m just not too sure! I was a confident 30 year old, and a happy 40 year old, but life has changed recently and I don’t know where I fit. Part of me is saying house party, because I missed a house warming in the pandemic, but part of me is saying that a Big Party could be a better party elsewhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
YesILikeItToo · 12/01/2022 18:59

Would this be enough people for ceilidh dancing? If half could be persuaded to dance then that’s nearly four sets - would half of them dance? Too wedding-y?

OP posts:
CormoranStrike · 12/01/2022 19:24

@YesILikeItToo

I have a very blank canvas for any fiftieth celebrations, and too many possibilities makes for poor inspiration. To get some idea, I’ve drafted a first round guest list, but I could get more or fewer if the format demanded it. What are you looking for in a party? Drinks and nibbles at home (like a student house party of old, but with waiters?) or would you like to go out for a chance to hit an actual dance floor? Party to be later this summer - possible pandemic complications to be ignored at this stage, and factored in later once inspiration has gripped me.
It looks quite like a works event in Downing Street.
GoGoGretaDoll · 12/01/2022 19:43

My DH hates dancing so we had a garden party for his 50th - borrowed a couple of gazebos, hired tables, tablecloths and chairs, got Waitrose catering stuff. It was loads of fun. Like a pp, because we started early lots of people came and went which was nice.

Kite22 · 12/01/2022 22:23

@YesILikeItToo

Would this be enough people for ceilidh dancing? If half could be persuaded to dance then that’s nearly four sets - would half of them dance? Too wedding-y?
Of course it would be enough. Not too wedding-y at all. I had a barn dance for one of my big birthdays - seemed to go down well. I've only been to one wedding that was a ceilidh, so it isn't something I would think of as 'weddingy' at all.

Anyway, if you can't do what you enjoy for your own 50th Birthday, when can you ? Smile

FinallyHere · 12/01/2022 23:00

Ooohh, if it's a ceilidh, please, please invite me.

multivac · 12/01/2022 23:06

I'm having a festival. I always do, for my birthday; but for my 50th, as for my 40th, there will be camping. My band plays first, so we can get gently drunk as we enjoy the other acts. There will be craft stuff, and face painting for the kids. And bacon/egg butties in the morning Smile

PermanentTemporary · 12/01/2022 23:12

I had a party for my 49th which involved a big local pre-trashed bar type place which will let you do what you like if you bring people there- I hired karaoke and a henna tattooist and the bar was just a pay bar as normal.

For my 50th it actually ended up quite huge - not in numbers so much but there was loafs of us for a big country walk and picnic, followed by dinner at a hotel. I chose quite an expensive hotel as I assumed nobody would stay over but to my utter panic about 18 people stayed for dinner and overnight. It was absolutely lovely but I was so stressed in the run up as I was convinced I'd asked too much of my friends. Wish I'd not told anyone about the hotel and just relaxed there myself tbh.

waltzingparrot · 12/01/2022 23:31

The best one I ever went to was where the host had hired a village hall, decked it out like a velvet speak-easy and hired a small troupe of actors who put on a really funny play. Each act was followed by starters, mains or dessert. The buzz after the first act was incredible and a hall full of strangers, essentially, were chatting easily.

Original poster
YesILikeItToo · 13/01/2022 00:29

Gosh @waltzingparrot that sounds brilliant, a really bonding thing to talk about over good food - very thought provoking.

OP posts:
madisonbridges · 13/01/2022 00:38

We had it at lunchtime which seems weird I know. But it meant guests could come from a distance and they didn't have to stay over. And it was an open bar that didn't cost too much as most don't drink too much at lunchtime, Most. I see you, cousin Richard! Some people wanted to stay on later so we took the party home for close friends and travellers. Had it at the village hall. Top day.