A 50th birthday party doesn't have to mean a rented hall and a sheet cake. These ten ideas work in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including a few that hold up when it rains. Start with the person: what would they actually enjoy for four hours?
Ten ideas
- A long table in the backyard. Rent tables and string lights, hire a caterer or do a potluck, and keep it to people they'd call on a bad day. Have a tent or covered patio ready.
- The year they were born. Build a playlist from the year they were born and the year they turned 20. Print a few headlines from those years for the tables.
- A photo timeline. Collect photos from every decade and run them as a slideshow during dinner. Ask family for the embarrassing ones.
- A golf simulator at your place. We bring a portable golf simulator to your backyard, garage or living room and set it up in 30 to 45 minutes. An attendant runs it, so you can host. It suits golfers and non-golfers, and it works indoors if the weather turns. See the birthday party golf simulator page, or the local details for Langley and Burnaby. A half day is $499.
- A winery or brewery afternoon. Langley's wineries and the Fraser Valley's breweries take groups. Ask about private seating and food minimums.
- A weekend away. Harrison Hot Springs or Whistler for a small group. Book rooms early, since both fill up on long weekends.
- Casino night. Rent tables or borrow them, use play money, and give prizes for the top three stacks.
- A live band in the backyard. Hire a local cover band. Check your municipality's noise bylaw and tell the neighbours ahead of time.
- A chef's dinner. Hire a private chef for six to ten people. Pick the menu around the guest of honour's favourite meal.
- A day on the water. Charter a boat out of Vancouver for the afternoon. Weather and wind decide it, so set a backup date.
Pick the plan before the venue
Ask three questions before you book anything. What would they do with a free Saturday? How many people do they enjoy having around at once? Do they want to be the centre of attention, or would they rather be busy doing something? A quiet person who hates speeches wants a dinner or an activity, not a toast. A social one wants a crowd and a playlist. Once you know that, most of the ten ideas above rule themselves in or out.
A simple run of show
First hour: arrivals, drinks and a snack. Second hour: dinner, with the slideshow or a few short toasts. Hours three and four: the anchor activity, whether that's the simulator, a band or a card table. Last half hour: cake and goodbyes. Guests stay longer when there's something to do after dinner, so don't let the evening end at dessert.
Plan for the rain
If the party is outdoors in Vancouver or the Fraser Valley, decide the rain plan before you send invitations. A rented tent with sides, a garage cleared out for the night, or an indoor room that fits everyone will all do. Tell guests the backup so nobody is surprised by a venue change. Our golf simulator works indoors, so the party can move inside without changing the activity.
Budget and guest list
Costs add up on food, drink and rentals more than on the activity. Decide the total first, then split it roughly between food and drink, the main activity, and extras like rentals or decorations. Our golf simulator is $499 for a half day and $799 for a full day, with delivery, setup and takedown included, so that part is a fixed number. Invite people who will talk to each other, and ask two or three guests to help start games and introduce people.
What to ask a venue before you book
- Is there a private space, and a minimum spend?
- What are the deposit and cancellation terms?
- Can we bring our own cake? Some places charge a cutting fee.
- What time does the music have to stop?
Invitations
Send invitations four weeks out with a start time, an end time and a note on parking. Ask guests for one photo or one short story for the slideshow, with a deadline. If the birthday person has said no gifts, say so on the invitation and put out a card box or a donation jar instead.
Thank-yous
Have the guest of honour send a short note or message to everyone who came, within a week or two. It's a small thing, and it closes the party properly.
Or hire a golf simulator for the big day
A half day is $499 and a full day is $799, with delivery, setup and takedown included. See pricing or tell us your date. Looking for more ideas? See our list of 35 adult birthday party ideas.