50th Birthday Party Ideas

Special 50th Birthday Party Ideas for a most special occasion

Those of us who have reached this milestone, already know the feeling of being torn between wanting to mark the occasion... and not wanting to acknowledge it out loud....

GET A GRIP!

This is a badge of honor! A rite of passage! This is a time in life when you can really be yourself and not care what anyone thinks about you.

I say CELEBRATE! After all, 60 is right around the corner!

50th Birthday Party Ideas

Over-the-hill themes would seem to be the way to go, but we all know that 50 is the new 30! Take it easy on the jokes and gags about gray hair, stiff joints and memory lapse. We know that's what happens, we just don't need to be reminded!

-50 year old celebrants are children of the 60's and came "of age" in the 70's. Hang up posters of fun aspects of the era including music, news and culturally symbols of the day.

-If you can't find or don't have the time or cash for posters, print out images found online on standard-size paper and tape them up around the room

-If you have albums and album covers in your stash, place those around the room as well

-If you have the right equipment, play the albums with someone acting as DJ

-Stroll down memory lane and swap stories about growing up during this era

-Burn candles and incense and play Karaoke or sing "old school" songs as a group.

These 50th Birthday Party Menu Ideas won't turn back the clock but they will help create a "best birthday ever" memory for you and your guests

French Feast

Nothing too fancy here, simple ingredients with big flavor---enough food to impress a large crowd. Serve with red wine or beer

Tapenade

Easy Pissaladière: Onion Pizza

Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Sautéed Sausages

Chicken Provençal

Buttered Rice

Mixed Salad Greens with Garlic Vinaigrette

French Pear Pie

Luau Party

These flavors may put you in a tropical mood. Start off this 50th birthday party feast with pineapple punch or other tropical drinks

Honey-Lime Grilled Shrimp
Serve with crackers, flatbreads, breadsticks

Rum and Pineapple Glazed Ham

Baked Ham with Orange Sherry Sauce

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Buttery Grilled Bananas and Pineapple

Butter Lettuce and Radish Salad

Lime-and-Basil Vinaigrette
(recipe below)

Spiced Coconut Cake

Pistachio Ice Cream or Orange Sherbet

How to Cook Ham

__________RECIPE__________

Lime-and-Basil Vinaigrette

3/4 cup lime juice (from about 6 limes)
3 tablespoons grainy mustard
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
10 scallions, including green tops, sliced thinly

In a medium bowl, whisk the lime juice with the mustard, sugar and salt. Add the oil slowly, whisking. Stir in the basil and scallions right before serving

Makes about 1 cup

New Orleans Party

Nobody parties like the Big Easy. Also serve Spicy Hot Crab Dip and start off this 50th birthday party menu with Hurricanes

Creole Boiled Shrimp

Roast Beef Po-Boys
Prepare a roast beef, slice thinly and serve on French bread rolls with mayo, pickles and shredded lettuce

Strawberry and Spinach Salad
Use your favorite salad greens instead of spinach

Ice Cream with Praline Sauce

Easy Southwestern Style

Turn this lunch or dinner into a brunch by substituting a breakfast casserole for the enchiladas. Add Spanish rice (mix) with peas for an even heartier meal

Margaritas

Purchased Guacamole

Salsa and Tortilla Chips

Chicken Enchiladas

Layered Southwestern Salad

Spanish Flan

Easy B-Day Lunch

Soup, sandwiches and salad--good for last minute surprise gatherings. Serve with mineral water, juices, smoothies or milk shakes and coffee.

For this 50th Birthday Menu also consider: Curried Chicken Salad and Orange and Almond Salad

Easy Ambrosia

Fresh Fruit

Baked Potato Soup

Chicken Pecan Sandwiches
Also serve as full sandwiches

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Broccoli Salad with Garlic and Parmesan Cheese

Purchased Cookies or Cake

Grilled Surf and Turf for the Big 5-0

Celebrate the big day outdoors. Start the night with chilled white wine or of course, champagne. And don't forget to check out these tips on preparing lobster tails.

Grilled Steak and Cheese Salad with Pink Mayonnaise

Lemon-Grilled Lobster Tails

Twice Baked Potatoes with Garlic and Cheese

Grilled Asparagus

Lime Sorbet and Crisp Cookies

Fun and Fabulous Birthday Party Ideas
Whether you're looking for ice breaker games, or ideas for costumes, decorations or favors, this site is a fantastic resource filled with themes for all ages.

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