special birthday ideas for adults
BY A PROFESSIONAL PARTY PLANNER
Ideas include:
How to make an adult birthday special
How to make an adult birthday memorable
Thoughtful birthday gifts & ideas for adults
Special birthday ideas for adults at home
i’m matt james
professional event producer
welcome
on this page
01 how to make an adult birthday special
CELEBRATE THE PERSON, NOT THEIR AGE
FOCUS ON THE FEEL-GOOD
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50 memories for 50 years
Invite friends and family to mail a postcard sharing a favorite memory of the birthday boy / girl in the days leading up to their birthday
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reasons we love you
Invite friends and family to highlight the admirable qualities, notable traits, or amusing quirks that make the birthday boy or girl so loved
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a gift every hour
Spread the love over an entire day with 12 smaller gifts; one to be opened every hour.
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open when… letters
Be there in spirit when you can’t be there in person with a collection of ‘Open When…’ letters for every occasion
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audio guestbook
Bring your guestbook to life and capture authentic and unfiltered voice messages from friends and family to treasure forever
advice from a pro
02 thoughtful birthday ideas
MATT’S TIP
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a trip down memory lane
Have guests take a trip down memory lane by sharing their favorite memory of the birthday boy or girl
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reasons we love you photo book
Invite friends and family to take photos expressing all the things they love about the birthday boy / girl to collect together in a keepsake photo book to celebrate their birthday
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birthday slideshow
Invite friends and family to contribute photos and videos of the birthday boy / girl to surprise them with an animated slideshow
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45 years of memories
Invite friends and family to pen a handwritten letter sharing their fondest memories of the birthday boy / girl to present as a thoughtful birthday gift for any age
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photo memory box
Collect cards, memories, letters, photos, and birthday wishes from friends and family and present them to the birthday boy or girl in a custom photo keepsake box
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reasons we love you guestbook
Turn a guestbook into a meaningful keepsake by having party-goers write down all the things they love about the birthday boy / girl
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bucket list suggestions
Ask guests to suggest experiences for the birthday boy / girl to have before their next milestone birthday
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‘through the years’ photo garlands
Create interactive party decorations by asking guests to bring their favorite pictures of the birthday boy / girl to add to photo garland decorations
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video guestbook
Capture the love by setting up a tablet on a tripod for guests to record video messages for the birthday boy / girl
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45 years of memories photo book
Invite friends and family to contribute photos of the birthday boy / girl ‘through the years’ to capture in a custom photo book for any age
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photo collage
A framed photo collage of the birthday boy / girl at different stages of their life makes both a thoughtful birthday gift and an entertaining tabletop display to entertain guests
advice from a pro
03 limit the gag gifts & age jokes
MATT’S TIP
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custom piรฑata
Create a talking point, memorable moment, and photo op for guests to share with a custom piรฑata resembling the birthday boy / girl
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custom puppet
For a truly unique and personal gift have a custom Muppet-style puppet made of the birthday boy / girl
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custom reel viewer
Ask friends an family for photos of their favorite memory of the birthday boy / girl to collect together in a custom reel viewer
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custom comic book
Tell the birthday boy / girl’s life story (so far) by creating a custom comic book featuring photos of them ‘through the years’
advice from a pro
04 how to make a birthday memorable
MATT’S TIP
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fun facts balloons
Hang photos with ‘fun facts you may not know about the birthday boy / girl’ from helium balloons to entertain guests
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FUN FACTS FILLED BALLOONS
Fill balloons with ‘fun facts you may not know about the birthday boy / girl’ and encourage guests to pop to reveal
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guestbook alternative: signing poster
Invite guests to write messages for the birthday boy / girl on a signing poster with ‘Then & Now’ photos to be framed as a keepsake
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fun facts napkins
Use on bars, buffet, or dessert tables to provide conversation-starters and entertain guests with ‘Fun Facts About the Birthday Boy / Girl’
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polaroid guestbook
Snap it, shake it, stick it, sign it! Invite guests to illustrate their guestbook entry by using an instant camera
fantastic finds
great Ideas i wish i’d thought of…
Check out this great idea below from Marta Dansie of Marta Writes
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fun facts garland banners
Personalize your party decorations and entertain guests with garland banners highlighting fun facts about the birthday boy / girl
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more adult birthday party ideas
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