Updated on: Feb 16, 2024
There are so many parties, gifts, and decorating ideas you can incorporate into someone's 60th birthday. This article has a mix of simple ideas to do for the party and then decorations that fit a 60th birthday party theme. Whether the occasion is for your father's birthday, your aunt, or a family friend, you can supplement these ideas for parties held at home or virtually anywhere. So if you're in need of some fresh 60th birthday party ideas, then keep on reading! If you're also worried about staying within your budget, we've also got you covered!
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Decorations
1. Balloons
Balloons are a classic party decoration. These balloons will tell everyone exactly how old you are in a fun way.
2. Through the Years Yard Signs
Make customized signs of the Birthday Boy/Girl that have a different picture of them throughout the years. Start at the driveway with a baby picture, and then move through the years leading to where the party will take place.
3. Through the Years Banners
Instead of putting several signs in the yard, make a few banners of the guest of honor’s picture and put them up around the party. If you would prefer to make it minimalistic--or if your budget is tight--make one sign with three or four pictures and hang it on the front door.
4. Picture Banners
If you can’t find several pictures of the birthday person take whatever pictures you have and make banners out of them, and write under them: Happy 60th Birthday!
5. Life-Size Cutouts
Depending on the birthday person's sense of humor, you may consider buying a life-size cutout of them to display at the entrance. There are even cutouts that let you attach a voice recording to it to greet your guests.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Favors
6. Cheers to 60 Years
Get personalized glasses with the guest of honor's name or picture. Have a beer, wine, or whiskey tasting during the party. Depending on their preference of beer or wine, get a glass accordingly, and make a toast to them before eating.
7. In Mint Condition Candy Favors
These different kinds of mint candies will remind your guests how good-looking the birthday person still is.
8. Custom Candy Bar Wrappers
Some of these custom candy wrappers are stickers, some are glued, some are for mini chocolate bars, and some are for full-size bars. Pick the one that can go on your favorite candy bar. Whichever you choose your guests will love the sentiment.
9. Custom Candle
These custom candles can have just about anything printed on them. Pick one in your favorite color, favorite scent, or both.
10. Temporary Tattoos
These temporary tattoos with your picture will make your guests smile. Go a step further and set up a place for your guests to put them on at the beginning of the party. Most only need warm water and a washcloth. Seeing where everyone chooses to put your pretty face is even more fun.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Food Ideas
11. Cake Topper
These cake toppers can go on any cake whether homemade or store-bought. You can get them customized with your name or just go with "60".
12. "Diamond" Food Picks
The symbol for a 60th anniversary is the diamond so use that for your party food. These diamond-topped food picks could be used in a cocktail or for finger food.
13. 60-Year-Old Wine
You need to consider your budget on this one, but you could serve drinks bottled in your birth year. These custom labels will tell everyone how old they are with your name and date.
14. Diamond Ice Cubes
Use these diamond-shaped ice cubes to chill your party drinks. Not only are they a wow factor but diamonds are one of the symbols associated with 60.
15. Cupcake Toppers
Cupcakes can easily feed a crowd and give your guests multiple flavor options to choose from. Cupcake toppers can be classy or humorous but always add something to your dessert.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Games/Activities
16. 60 Messages From 60 Friends and Family
Send out blank cards with the invitations and ask everyone to mail the cards to the host (not the birthday person) or to bring them to the party. The goal should be sixty people with a birthday message. Encourage everyone to share a fun memory and birthday wishes. If you are more tech-savvy this could be recorded video messages. At the party let everyone read what others wrote and reminisce together.
17. A Gift Every 60 Minutes
Instead of giving the presents to the guest of honor all at once--spread them out throughout the party. Use an hourglass for a fun timer. If everyone brought a gift then divide them up evenly for the duration of the party. If it was a "no gifts please" party then have everyone donate to one of a couple of different charities or causes the birthday person is passionate about and announce a different cause and amount each hour.
18. 60 Years in Pictures
A 60th Birthday is a major milestone so celebrate with a photo montage through the years. You can find as many pictures as you can about the guest of honor and compile them into a slideshow for everyone to watch at the party. Ask family and friends for pictures to include. You could do this yourself or pay a professional.
19. Write Out a Bucket List
Making a bucket list has become something fun for people to do as they age. This activity is meant to be funny by having the guests come up with a bucket list for the birthday person to do over the next year. Have guests write out a suggestion on a card privately and put it in a bucket or have a poster hanging up for people to write things on. Either way, have the birthday person read them out loud to everyone.
20. Birthyear games
Games are usually fun at parties and these are about the year the birthday person was born. You don't have to do all of these, pick and choose the ones you think would be enjoyable or fun. These games are usually an instant download and can be printed immediately.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Party Supplies
21. Paper Plates
While you don't have to have plates that scream your age they will look good with a slice of cake or a cupcake on them.
22. Napkins
Napkins are necessary but they can be cute too. Be proud of the year you were born!
23. Party Cups
These custom cups can hold whatever drinks you serve at your party.
24. 60th Tablecloth
Tablecloths not only protect your table but they look festive.
25. Clear Cutlery
Clear utensils go with everything so they are certain to match whatever theme you go with.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Invitations
26. Digital Invitation
Digital invitations look tech-savvy while being easy to do because the creator does all the hard work for you. Easy to customize and easy to send to everyone it will get some "ahhhs".
27. Custom Print Invitation
These custom print invitations are easy to do almost at the last minute because you customize and print minutes after you pay. You can print this on any kind of paper including photos. You should be able to do this at home (with a color printer) or have an office supply store do it for you.
28. Custom Print Invitation with Photos
Custom print invitations can also add pictures and you choose the ones you want to use. You can print these out at home or have an office supply store do it for you.
29. Sixties Theme Invitation
They may not remember the 1960's but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate them! These groovy custom invitations will foreshadow the good times ahead.
30. Paper Fill in Invitations
Sometimes custom is just too much. Go with an old-school paper fill-in party invitation for a no-stress option.
60th Birthday Party Ideas: Conclusion
These were all the 60th birthday party ideas mentioned in this article. These adult birthday party ideas can work well for indoor and even outdoor parties. There is a lot you can work with, including some DIY and edible party favors that you can also incorporate! Hopefully, this article provided you with unique ways to give presents and plan a party. Cheers to you and happy birthday to that special someone who is turning 60 this year.
Written by John Tedesco; Contributor: Elisabeth Blair