i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 27 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
OPEN BIO
CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

Thoughtful ideas that celebrate the person, not their age, focus on the feel-good, and make aN adult birthday special

45 years of memories personalized photo book for any age birthday
Reasons We Love You photo poster for an adult birthday
Custom 'Reasons We Love You' photo book with friends and family holding signs
'50 Memories for 50 Years' Share a Memory postcards for a 50th birthday
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02 MAKE IT personal

How to add creative twists and personal touches to create talking points and memorable moments

custom face photo 90th birthday garland banner showing a man 'through the years'
'celebrating 45 years' adult birthday party dessert table tapestry backdrop with photos showing the guest of honor 'through the years'
man standing next to a custom pinata of himself
custom photo personalized Happy Birthday m&m's for a adult birthday party
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03 adult birthday party decorations

How to maximize your budget by concentrating your adult birthday party decorations in a few key areas

'cheers to 40 years' birthday custom photo banner showing photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
30th birthday photo collage in the shape of the numbers 30 on a party dessert table
yard card letters spelling out Happy Birthday Bambi
number 43 balloon mosaic birthday party decorations
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04 adult birthday party activities

How to break the ice, provide conversation-starters, encourage mingling, and create atmosphere

DIY vodka bar with mixers and fruit set up at a adult birthday party
50th birthday guestbook alternative signing poster with photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'
'How well do you know the birthday boy?' birthday party game printable quiz
retro telephone audio guest book set up next to an instructions sign inviting party guests to record a message
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05 adult birthday party food

Why food stations geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options are better than buffets

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern adult birthday party buffet table / food station
adult birthday party food presentation ideas: fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks
adult birthday party hors d'oeuvres: cheese bites served on forks standing vertically
adult birthday party food ideas: individual portion charcuterie cups
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06 dessert tables

How a dessert table can lend visual spectacle, save time, and maximize budget for an adult birthday party

personalized custom caricature cookie of a man for a birthday party
black and gold striped custom party dessert table backdrop
desserts served in shooter glasses and mini dessert cups arranged in rows on a party dessert table
gold sequin shimmer party backdrop behind a dessert table
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07 adult birthday party drinks

Get that professionally-catered look and give traditional drinks a creative twist

custom photo personalized beer bottle labels for adult birthday party drinks
adult birthday party drinks ideas: boxwood hedge party drinks bar wall with shelves of self-service drinks for guests to help themselves to
custom photo 'Fun Facts about the Birthday boy' 40th birthday party napkins
custom photo edible wafer drinks topper with a photo of the birthday girl floating on a cocktail
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08 adult birthday party invitations

Why invitations needs to excite, inspire, and give guests something to look forward to

50th birthday party photo collage invitation showing the birthday boy 'through the years'
animated digital video 40th birthday party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen
balloon custom printed with adult birthday party invitation details
Airline ticket wedding invitation
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09 adult birthday gifts

Avoid uninspiring and clichéd gifts in favor of something that’s unique, meaningful, or a treat

man standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of himself
custom personalized comic book for a adult birthday gift
custom bobblehead of an adult man alongside his photo for a birthday gift
personalized viewmaster reel viewer for a adult birthday gift
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10 adult birthday party ideas for men

Adult birthday party themes, decorations, and ideas aimed at men

'the man, the myth, the legend' custom name adult birthday party backdrop decorations behind a dessert table
adult birthday party beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets
the silver fox custom birthday napkins with grey hair icon
adult birthday party beer tasting party supplies with a cheese board
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ADVICE FROM A PRO

adult BIRTHDAY party tips

  • Adult birthdays—especially milestones—are significant, so you need to make an effort!
  • Avoid the obvious: generic store-bought decorations emblazoned with their age.
  • Instead, make everything as personal as possible
  • Celebrate the person, not their age.
  • Avoid lame jokes and clichés like ‘old as dirt’, ‘over the hill, and ‘40 rocks’
  • Concentrate on making them feel loved and appreciated.
  • Celebrate their life; their background, accomplishments, and all the things that have made them who they are today.
  • Celebrate who they are; admirable qualities, characteristics everyone loves, and even their weird habits and obsessions that drive people crazy!
  • Celebrate your relationship with them; take a walk down memory lane, share memories, funny stories, embarrassing photos, amusing anecdotes, fun facts guests may not know, and indulge in a little sentimentality.
  • Focus on things that are meaningful, because that’s what they’ll remember.
  • If you’re planning your own adult birthday bash, you should still take the same approach. Make everything as personal as possible so that it’s a reflection of you; your tastes, your interests, and your sense of humor—with plenty of embarrassing old photos and fun facts.
  • I’ll teach you how to design your adult birthday party like a pro; creating ‘beats’ or ‘moments’ that run throughout the event so guests continue to discover new things as the party unfolds.
  • Think of the guest’s journey in terms of different touch points; arrivals, bar, room décor, food, entertainment etc.
  • Then, add a creative twist, person touch, or talking point to each.
  • Don’t forget to include activities; things for guests to do that will break the ice, encourage mingling, provide conversation-starters, and create a fun atmosphere that includes everyone.
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MATT’S TIP

Matt James professional event planner
in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not their age

  • Limit the gag gifts and decorations and focus on thoughtful, feel-good ideas.
  • Make them feel loved, appreciated, and good about themselves.

AVOID CLICHÉS

  • Don’t make the common mistake of theming everything around the age they’re turning.
  • Clichéd themes like ‘old as dirt’ and ‘oh crap you’re old’ are tired and lazy.