An 80th birthday is something that needs to be celebrated in an unforgettable way. A party or get together is a great way to let your loved one know how much they mean to you, what a pinnacle role they have played in your life, and an acknowledgment of their accomplishments. An 80th birthday is about family, friends, loved ones and special moments, and organizing a party for a relative can be as special as the event itself. There will be generations of special people to be included, and as long as it is sincere and from the heart, the person celebrating their birthday will feel very touched. Here are some ideas on how to commemorate a very special 80th birthday for a loved one.
Photo Gallery
Prepare a photo album, scrap book or slide show, and present it to your relative on their birthday. Not only will it be a nostalgic trip down memory lane, it will be a fascinating journey for younger members of the family to see wedding photos, prom photos, baby photos, and pictures of their grandparents in their youth. When people reach the wonderful age of 80, they will have experienced so much, met so many people and have overcome so many of life’s obstacles; this will be a beautiful way to showcase a rich and varied life for someone that you love.
Open House
Have a simple afternoon of cake and tea and invite the guest of honor’s most treasured friends, neighbors, ex colleagues, grand children, children and any other special person in their lives. Invite them to your home a few weeks in advance and ask each person to bring or provide a special memento, poem or letter and add it to a collage or pin board as they come in. The person whose birthday it is will really appreciate the sincere gestures and will be able to have a wonderful keepsake of all the special memories to take home with them to display in their house. Ask people to pop in during the afternoon, as perhaps a huge amount of people arriving all at once could be overwhelming to somebody who didn’t want a big fuss.
Timeline
Prepare a visual time line from the year the guest of honor was born until the present day. Include photos, stories, events and special occasions for every year up until now; graduations, weddings, births of children, new job that kind of thing. Leave it up to display during a celebratory dinner or tea. You will be amazed at all of the amazing things your special relative has achieved and you will be able to create a keepsake treasure full of family history.
A Favourite Restaurant
Perhaps there is a favorite restaurant your relative is a loyal patron of. Find out if you can book for lunch or dinner and arrange to have their favorite dish served to all their family and friends. Choose music from their youth and make a special collection of the songs to be played during the celebration. There is no need to have an elaborate party; somebody who is turning 80 will appreciate being surrounded by their loved ones much more than a big show of pomp and circumstance. Ask a family member to give a brief, humorous yet touching speech and the event will be completely perfect.
A Book of Life
A very special present will be a book of life. Prepare a guest book and ask everyone to write something inside about them; a touching or hilarious story, photos, or titbits from a wild youth. Try and get as much information from people who knew them when they were younger, what were they like at school, how they met each other … that kind of thing. Prepare a family tree in the cover to show where everybody fits in and add in anything that can create a memory – report cards, a wedding license, childhood photographs, artwork or even letters. Present it to the guest of honor at a surprise tea – it will be a truly touching and sincere compliment to a valued and rich life.
Concert Party
Find a local entertainer who can come and play a repertoire of favoured songs. Given the birthday being celebrated, it is more likely you’ll be looking for a piano player or organist, than a guitarist. Other ideas to consider for a concert party for an 80 year old are a barber shop quartet or any acapella musical performers. Make the room festive with banners, balloons and streamers, and let the entertainment carry the day.
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