A 75th birthday party is an real milestone in a person's life. Celebrating a birthday that important should be fun and relaxing for both the guest of honor and the party planners. Reduce stress by dividing the responsibilities and sticking to a budget. Plan the party around the tastes and wishes of the honoree as well as what is practical for all involved in the planning. Customized, homemade party favors can be a way for guests to remember the big night and reflect the personality and accomplishments of the birthday boy or girl. Does this Spark an idea?
Music
Research the music from the year the honoree was born. Look into music archives for the top 10 songs of that year or songs that really stood out, like novelty numbers or political jingles. Download these on your computer by visiting a free music website and burn onto CDs for your guests. Finish the favor with your own customized CD labels printed with the guest of honor's photo and birth date. You can also make a CD with more than the Top-10 songs to play during party to really set the mood for the birth year.
Photos
Collect photos from the honoree's friends and family from yearbooks or photo albums. Scan these photos and make a PowerPoint presentation complete with music and captions with year and place on the photos. Burn copies of the presentation for the the honoree and party guests for party favors.
Make a photo display as for guests to browse through as they arrive. Blow photos into posters and hang along a hallway or entrance to the party. Guests can take favorite posters home for a favor.
Make the scene related to year the honoree was born or something really special to them such a favorite hobby or their career. For example, set a fishing scene with equipment or borrow a chalkboard and desks for a teacher. Take guests' photos with a digital camera, print them during the party and give to the guests in frames cut from card stock or in small brown envelopes Make sure the guest of honor gets a copy of each picture. You could hire a few high school students to do this, so you don't miss the party.
Edible Favors
Count 75 Starlight Mints, M&Ms or Hershey's Kisses and place in small bags, tie with a ribbon, add a photo card and you have a sweet little favor. Research candy from the birth year and purchase several kinds. Give these in small favor bags that can be customized with printed adhesive labels or cards tied with ribbon to the handles.
Buy small packets of flavored coffee and print custom labels on your computer to send home with guests. Just glue on the front of the packet over the original label or print on self-adhesive labels.
You can also personalize candy bars by replacing the original wrapper with customized one printed on the computer or hand-drawn. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren might like to color these labels to help with the party. Have them sign their creations for a personal touch.
Hobby or Career Related Favors
Think of the guest of honor's hobbies, interests or career to be used for a party favor. For gardeners or a cook, offer little clay pots with herbs, edible flowers or tomato plants inside. Start growing them at least two weeks prior so they will show small sprounts by party time. This is another project that would be good for grandchildren to decorate.
Molded chocolate candies are easy to make and look great. Molds are made in just about any hobby, from fishing gear and tools to a briefcase, teachers' supplies or makeup. Melt the milk-, white- or dark-chocolate candy melts, found at most craft stores, then fill the mold, tap out the bubbles and let harden in the refrigerator before unmolding. Place in little bags or boxes, tie with a ribbon and the favors are ready to be labeled or handed out to guests.
Tags: guest honor, with ribbon, birth year, during party, honoree born