Ways to Mark a 65th Milestone
Turning 65 is a milestone worth observing, especially since many people at that age have gone without a birthday celebration for a long time. It offers a chance to host something memorable, possibly with a theme tied to the number 65 or to the year of birth.
By Casey Bailey
Celebrate 65 in style!
Reaching age 65 deserves more than a passing mention. For a lot of people, it has been many years since anyone threw them a birthday party. This makes it a good moment to put together a stylish celebration, and you might build the theme or the planning around the 65th year itself.
Present Suggestions for the 65th Birthday
Make a playlist of songs from the year that the birthday boy or girl was born.
One option worth considering is a CD filled with the songs that were most popular in the year the birthday celebrant was born. Another possibility is to obtain a newspaper front page from the honoree's birth date and frame it as a gift. Should the person celebrating have a preferred food or candy, present 65 pieces of that item. You could also ask every guest to bring small gifts totaling 65 in number.
Keepsakes
Create a meaningful memento.
Finding an appropriate gift for older adults can be tricky, since by that stage they often appear to already own whatever they require. A more meaningful approach is to give a keepsake connected to the occasion. Write to or email the friends and relatives of the birthday person, requesting that each of them jot down a few cherished memories involving that individual. Once the responses are gathered, have them bound into a book titled "Your First 65 Years: As Recalled by Your Family and Friends" and give it to the honoree on the day itself.
You can also ask family and friends to contribute photographs of the person being celebrated. Those pictures could become an album, or you could use a computer photo program to assemble a video showing high points from a lifetime.
Celebration Options
Give a dinner party and invite friends and family of the birthday boy or girl.
Host a dinner and invite the birthday person's friends and family. This could take place at your home or at a friend's house, or you could rent a reception hall with catering, depending on what your budget allows. If room permits, think about hiring a DJ to play music that serves as a "soundtrack of the life" for the person being honored.
Another route is a surprise party. Gather the honoree's close friends and relatives, arrange for cake and ice cream, and if the honoree enjoys being playful, add party favors and a piñata. Classic birthday games such as pin the tail on the donkey can be part of the fun. A traditional birthday party that gets everyone laughing is something you can enjoy at any age.
A party supply store will carry many decorations made specifically for a 65th birthday. Banners, balloons, table centerpieces, and even plates and napkins featuring the number 65 are among the items you can find.
