| Is a special loved one getting ready to celebrate their | | | | presentation or DVD of photos and video as |
| 90th birthday? Well, that's a great reason to have a | | | | entertainment to show at the party. If you don't know |
| party! Here are nine tips to help you plan for this | | | | how to tackle this project, then it's time to get the |
| milestone occasion. | | | | grandchildren (or great grandchildren) involved. It doesn't |
| 1. The best party consultant for this event is the guest | | | | have to be a big production, with Hollywood style |
| of honor. Include the birthday guy or girl in all the | | | | special effects. A simple succession of pictures in |
| planning. Get his or her input on the location, menu | | | | chronological order will tell the touching story of the |
| (including dietary restrictions), guests, decorations, | | | | guest of honor's life. |
| favors and music. Listen to their preferences and build | | | | 7. Encourage the guests to share memories of the |
| the day around their choices. Make it truly all about | | | | honoree. You can ask them to get up at the party and |
| them. | | | | talk about the celebrant. Or you can request that they |
| 2. Have the birthday party during the day. Some of the | | | | write down those thoughts, which you can then include |
| guest of honor's friends and older relatives may not | | | | in a memory book you're creating. Or you might do |
| like to drive when it's dark. They may not want to eat | | | | both. A 90th birthday celebration is a great opportunity |
| after a certain time or go to bed too late. Even if the | | | | for all those people to let the guest of honor know just |
| celebrant is full of energy, his or her friends may not | | | | how much he or she means to them. |
| want to dance until dawn. If you schedule the party for | | | | 8. Inspire reminiscing. Music stirs up deep memories, so |
| the afternoon, then everyone will be in top form. | | | | play CDs that feature songs the guest of honor loved |
| 3. Include the time the party will end on the invitations. | | | | in his or her youth. Use decorations that showcase |
| This is also a consideration for older guests, many of | | | | pictures and symbols from the past ninety years. |
| whom take prescription medications. If they see that | | | | Choose birthday party favors that include prices, |
| the celebration will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., they will | | | | events and other trivia from the year he or she was |
| automatically know whether they should plan to bring | | | | born. Create an atmosphere that will encourage |
| pills, or can wait until they get home to take their | | | | everyone to look back to the past and spark |
| medicine. | | | | conversations about the good old days. |
| 4. Find out if the birthday party location is handicapped | | | | 9. Arrange for little surprises. While an entire surprise |
| accessible. Some of the guest of honor's older friends | | | | party is usually not the best idea for a 90th birthday |
| and relatives may have trouble getting around. A few | | | | celebration, you can still add creative, unexpected |
| may be confined to wheelchairs or need the help of | | | | touches. Try to track down an old friend, co-worker or |
| walkers. It will make it easier for them, if you select a | | | | neighbor that the celebrant hasn't seen in ages and |
| place that can accommodate their needs. | | | | invite them to the event. Decorate everything from the |
| 5. Create a tribute to the guest of honor with photos. | | | | cake to the centerpieces with elements that reflect |
| Start by sending photo party invitations that include a | | | | the guest of honor's interests, hobbies or personality. |
| baby picture and a current snapshot of the celebrant. | | | | Have everyone chip in to buy the 90 year old a gift |
| Then decorate your party location with poster size | | | | they would never dream of purchasing on a fixed |
| enlargements of the honoree in different stages of his | | | | income. |
| or her life. Add grouped framed photographs for | | | | A 90th birthday is a event that should be celebrated. It |
| centerpieces. Finish off the day with photo birthday | | | | is milestone of a long life filled with memories of friends |
| favors as a memento to thank the guests for sharing | | | | and family. Give that special person a party to |
| this milestone occasion. | | | | remember. It will mean so much to the guest of honor |
| 6. Consider putting together a slide show, PowerPoint | | | | and touch the hearts of all who share that day. |