How to make birthdays special, from 1 to 100!
Planning parties for a milestone birthday is particularly fun, but there can be a lot of pressure to make it special. What traditions should be included in a 1st birthday party versus a 25th birthday? We've created a full comprehensive guide to milestone birthdays from year 1 to 100, including what decorations to consider, traditions to include, and a glimpse into the different life stages to celebrate.
The following milestones are represented: 1, 5, 10, 16, 18, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100!
1
A child's first birthday is a charming celebration full of quality family time, stuffed animals, and their first bite of cake. This birthday is particularly bittersweet because suddenly your baby isn't a newborn anymore, but will start reaching milestones within the next few months, like walking and talking, if they haven't already. The perfect first birthday consists of a gentle, slow morning with family, enjoying some time outside, or visiting extended family to remember where you all were one year ago today. To reflect, share photos and videos to see how much your child has grown over the last year. To decorate, include their favorite stuffed animals, balloons, flowers, party hats, and other items that fit the party's vibe. As for a cake, make sure to include a separate cake if you want your child to do a cake smash. This sweet and memorable party is one to cherish.
5
Let the themed parties begin! As your child grows, they’ll develop interests in movies, shows, jobs, princesses, characters, and even items. Games are the central event at kids’ birthday parties; piñatas, races, tag, waterslides, jump rope, bouncy houses, a drive-in movie, finger painting, and more! If you want to include every child in the fun, have everyone dress up for the theme and include games that match their costumes. For instance, if it’s cowboy themed, have a plastic horseshoe throw, a “pin the badge on the Sheriff,” or a “best cowboy walk” competition with little prizes. To decorate, include all sorts of things that fit the theme: balloons, banners, table settings, lights in the trees, etc. As for cake, make sure to go big on your theme! Get one that’s a good size for the kids and adults who will be attending. Top it all off with matching napkins and silverware.
10
Double digits! This party deserves an abundance of color, lots of excitement, and plenty of paper invites. Maybe your child would rather do an activity than have a themed party at home; some popular suggestions are bowling, the movie theatre, mini golf, painting classes, karate, a waterpark, and so on! This is still such a whimsical age for kids, playing and giggling with each other, so make sure to invite their whole class, friend group, or teammates. As for decorations, color is key! Blow up balloons in shades of their favorite color, create strings of stars to drape by the cake table, and make take-home goodie bags for the kids. Think of some fun competitions, have a group activity, and keep in mind something for the adults that are chaperonning. As for cake, a cute idea is to put a fun photo on the face of the cake, or try something tiered! Remember to write thank you notes for all the cool gifts your child will receive!
16
Sweet 16, finally! This birthday is all about celebrating girlhood or boyhood with high school friends. It might not be everyone’s cherry on top to have a party, so another idea would be to enjoy a nice day trip somewhere or watch a movie and have a nice dinner. Whatever your plans are, make it special by wrapping gifts in sparkly or striped paper, putting up streamers, hanging balloons in their room, and taking lots of photos of the process, preferably Polaroids or great candids. Usually the age when people start to drive, 16 is a big milestone. Consider taking your teen to get their driver’s license on their birthday to make it even more exciting for them. As for decorations (if you are throwing a party), do everything in their favorite color or pattern, get some letter balloons that spell out their name, and add a fun background for photos. As for cake, write their name or a cute phrase they like to say, design it like a license, or include a photo of them. You only turn 16 once, so have a ball!
18
The age at which childhood adapts into adulthood. Most commonly at this age, the birthday boy or girl will want to enjoy time with their friends, teammates, and boyfriend or girlfriend. A fun party is undoubtedly in order to celebrate this coming of age! If they’d rather enjoy a fun weekend away or a quiet night at home, make sure to still add a little flair by getting a cake and some unforgettable gifts. A wonderfully handwritten card is also a perfect sentiment. As for decorations, let them lead the way! If they have a theme or not, decorate to the best of your ability. Include cute details like adding petals or fruit to ice for drinks, a fun table setting if you’re having a nice dinner, and even games like a piñata or pickleball! As for cake, get 18 candles out of the drawer and let them make a wish! Get a star, heart, circle, or square cake and write their name or age on it. Welcome your teen into adulthood with a fun night they’ll want to relive.
21
Twenty-first birthdays are typically where friends, partners, siblings, or roommates take the torch from the parents and plan the birthday party. Instead of themed birthday parties like robots, dinosaurs, and mermaids, there may be some fun aesthetics to achieve! Have everyone dress up in a certain color or style, decorate your apartment or living space to reflect a certain vibe, or relax without a theme or party at all. This birthday brings along a couple new freedoms that one may choose to partake in or not, but a responsible cocktail party is always a fun choice. As for decorations, tie some ribbons around chairs, lay down tablecloths, include a banner or a “draw yourself” station for your guests. The goal is to represent the birthday person and their interests and style. As for cake, you can’t go wrong with a classic “Happy Birthday!”, or a fun shape like a star or heart. Bring along a deck of cards or games to liven up the party, and throw on some great music to enjoy.
25
Welcome to being a quarter-of-a-century! There are so many different changes in this time of life that can make scheduling a nightmare, but a cute sleepover with your friends or a trip away can make a celebration to always remember. If there is a party or dinner with guests, create an eye-catching invitation and text to send to all the attendees! A cute theme or “murder mystery” night can add a sophisticated detail to the celebration. While the themes may not be the same as when you were a kid, great themes like “2000s girly sleepover,” “sequins and stars,” and “garden party” can make for a cheesy and memorable time. Find more theme ideas from our blog “Aesthetic Over Everything.” As for decorations, light candles, hang strings of flags or pom poms, set up an elaborate charcuterie board, put quarters everywhere to celebrate the “25,” and include all the cheesy decorations you loved as a kid. As for a cake, get clever with it! Make a cake at home and write a funny phrase, or make a beautifully elaborate display. Take a photo with a speed limit sign and enjoy being 25!
30
Thirty, flirty, and thriving! This age brings about a lot of change. The intensity of your twenties is finally over! Now welcome to the thriving thirties. Whether a birthday party is your style this year or not, you at least need some way to celebrate, even if it’s a simple bouquet of flowers and a nice big breakfast in bed. If you are having a party, consider a fun, colorful theme with great outfits that will get you dancing all night long! You could even have a “rip to my twenties” theme with chic black decorations and everyone in black to match. The mood is entirely up to you, but for decorations, include hanging up photos of all the places you’ve been to, displaying some art you’ve collected, and breaking out the long candles, flowers, and star confetti. As for a cake, make your favorite cake at home and enjoy the process of decorating it, or get an ornate tiered cake from a local bakery. Get out the nice champagne glasses you’ve been saving and raise a toast to a new decade!
40
Welcome 40! Let the wholesome, exciting, and wisdom-gaining decade commence. Often, this is around the time that children will begin planning things for their parents' birthday, or the whole family will do something together. Take a nice trip to celebrate the change, or go out to an incredible dinner and get all dressed up. Maybe take a trip with your girl friends or enjoy a relaxing spa weekend in your town. Treat yourself to elaborate desserts and your favorite outfit. If you do have a gathering for your birthday, include the tablecloths you’ve been saving, pour the good wine, and make sure to stay up late laughing too loud. As for decorations, keep it classic and just the touches you like. After all these years, you know if you like an elaborate setup or just a few details here and there. As for cake, opt for a delectable cheesecake, devil's food cake, a fruit tart, crème brûlée, or any other dessert you’ve been eyeing through the patisserie's window. Soak in the beautiful time with your family and friends.
50
Truly older, wiser, and hotter than ever! The glamorous decade has arrived. To celebrate, head to a winery, spend a day at the spa, go to a museum, explore your city, take a trip with your partner, visit your family, and enjoy the day however seems right. If you are having a big party, decorate with all things gold! As for decorations, go all out with star lanterns, banners, flower displays, and items with “50” written on them. As for cake, enjoy a fruit pavlova, carrot cake, red velvet, or classic birthday cake with a nice cocktail or cup of coffee. If you go with a sheetcake, add on a photo of you at any time in life and put those 50 candles on it! Whether you’re celebrating with many people or taking the day to yourself, relax and indulge in the finer things you’ve always wanted to do. You are in the glamour years, after all.
60
There’s something about sixty that makes you slow down and enjoy the sweetness around you. Maybe your kids and even grandchildren have become everything to you, or you’ve gotten really invested in your business, or your hobbies take up much of your time. Whatever makes you the happiest, now is the decade to really soak up those precious moments. While a party may not appeal to you now, a relaxing dinner and lovely day in town or at home is the perfect celebration. Invite over your family, neighbors, and friends to join in the day. As for decorations, you know what you enjoy, so put up some lanterns, twinkling lights, flowers, or anything that fits your fancy. As for cake, enjoy a delightful pie, strawberry cake, or macaroons. Take today to reflect on sweet memories and enjoy the company around you.
70
Happy 70th! What a great time to gather all your wonderful family and have a celebration. This beautiful decade is a memorable one, so spend as much time with your loved ones as possible. Have a simple but elegant gathering with photos all over the place. Show off the places you’ve traveled to, the things you’ve spent your life collecting, and tell stories of all the incredible things you’ve done. As for a party and decorations, some simple but pretty streamers, paper chains, lanterns, and lights are all a delight. Include a sign or a banner if you’re having an event at a venue. As for cake, get the most delectable cake that you’ve always loved. Whether that’s chocolate, lemon, red velvet, pie, or vanilla sponge cake, enjoy a wonderful celebration with those you love the most.
80
A life well lived, 80 years marks a rich time in life, full of photographs, generations of love, and unforgettable moments. Honor the birthday celebrant with a lovely display of photos of their life, beautifully wrapped sentimental gifts, and everyone in the family. Take advantage of everyone together with a slideshow. As for decorations, go old school with lace table covers, flowers in vases all over tables, fake candles, ribbons, and even sparklers. As for cake, enjoy something beautiful and ornate. It is less about the details and more about having a night of celebration, remembrance, and enjoying your family and loved ones.
90
What an accomplishment to reach 90 years old! You’ve lived a long, cherished life full of adventure, sacrifice, and hope. This is an excellent time to honor your family, loved ones, and those who may have gone before you with a photo table. A birthday is typically a happy occasion, but there is nothing wrong with feeling a yearning or longing for those who no longer sit at your table. Gather around those that are closest to you and enjoy a wonderful day in their company. As for cake, whatever it is, take a nice big piece and enjoy! Look at photos of your children, grandchildren, and maybe even great grandchildren and reflect on a life well lived!
100
Wow, 100! Can you believe how fast time has flown? No matter where you are, you need to have a little celebration! Gather with those you love and share in some good stories, laughter, and pass around photos. Honor those who have gone before you and keep their memory alive by telling your favorite things you did together. For decorations, get anything with a 100 on it! As for cake, it may be hard to blow out 100 candles, but it’s an incredible sight to see so many lined up; each representing an entire year you’ve lived. Enjoy this birthday, it is a major achievement!
Birthdays only come once a year, but the anticipation and excitement last much longer, and the memories last a lifetime. Make each milestone birthday unforgettable with decorations, cake, and the company you invite. Whether planning a birthday for your 5 year old, arranging your own at 25, or getting together a big event for your dad’s 60th, remember the traditions for each!
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Photo credits: Photos are from Pinterest. All photos are tagged to the post in which it was sourced.
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