Ideal for planning a birthday bash.
It is one of life’s major milestones, and many see reaching 30 as having finally hit ‘real adulthood’ after the uncertainty and maturing of their teens and twenties.
Some would rather spend the day wallowing, upset about leaving their twenties behind and wondering if they are now officially ‘over the hill’. If this sounds like your partner, then it’s your duty to snap them out of it. For many, the thirties is the time when aspirations and a sense of identity finally align, and many say it’s the best decade of all.
With that in mind and with positivity in the air, here’s 5 tips and ideas for planning your partner’s 30th birthday party.
A THROWBACK SURPRISE PARTY
Not the most original idea, we realise, but we ask you to bear with us on this one.
To break the mould and do things a little differently, why not consider a themed surprise party? What better way to celebrate a big birthday or an anniversary party than by making it a total surprise? As long as you have the dedication of all guests in keeping their counsel in the days leading up to the event and their punctuality when showing up for the big reveal, this is one of the best ways to host an unforgettable, exciting event.
Moreover, a pre-arranged theme can pull an event together and allows you to create a backdrop against which you can choreograph the finer details. In many ways, rather than being restrictive, a themed party focuses the mind of both organiser and attendee, eliminating that dreaded ‘paradox of choice’ from the costume and culinary choices, equally.
What theme should you choose, we hear you ask? Why not rewind the clock all the way back to the year your partner was born and throw a throwback party? Think period-specific outfits, pop culture and music from that year. You will, of course, have to provide an outfit for them to get changed into – may we suggest a rail of options for them to choose from to avoid any issues?
SOMETHING SOPHISTICATED
For some, turning 30 marks the end of those crazy rum and coke-fulled nights of their twenties. Something a little more sophisticated may be in order then, to herald the arrival of a decade of living well. Perhaps a wine tasting evening or a fancy Michelin starred meal might be just the ticket? If that feels a little too boujee, then rest assured, even a fine dining meal can be done affordably with the right planning and preparation.
Check out this great guide to London’s best kept dining secrets: IDEAL ways to experience Michelin level food on the cheap.
A PERSONALISED GIFT
Trying to think of the ideal present for any milestone birthday can be challenging. It needs to be effortless but impressive, a guaranteed crowd pleaser but also unique and personal. Luckily, there are so many personalised 30th birthday gifts online to choose from. Here are some classic ideas…
Personalised jewellery – Sure, it’s a cliche, but it’s also a classic gift for reason; personalised jewellery always goes down so well! Have something personal and meaningful engraved on the ring to make it extra special, rather than just your partner’s initials or something else predictable. And since this is a special piece of jewellery, do make sure you’re buying yours through a quality jeweller.
A Happy Birthday video – There’s nothing quite as personalised as a group video from all of your friends and loved ones, and this is actually a great way to bring loved ones who live at a distance together for a milestone birthday, in virtual form, of course, in the form of a Happy Birthday video. Just remember that, in cases of such videos, the more the merrier!
A personalised gift basket – Where once in our teenage years, a mixtape was a great way of showing your skills as a curator and your love for someone, nowadays, it’s a carefully put together gift basket which shows the same level of thought and care.
Original newspaper – If you are looking for a more novel gift, to make sure the birthday celebration is even more special, you may wish to look for something more historic. Original newspapers are available for all dates and can be purchased for the day the person was born. Not only do these make a fantastic and meaningful keepsake, but they’re also super interesting from a historical perspective. Many websites offer these boxed and complete with a certificate marking the occasion to make it a truly special gift.
A milestone gift book – Another highly personalised and thoughtful gift is a milestone gift book. This is a book to commemorate the 30th birthday, filled with photographs and information about all the milestones in the individual’s life. Though you have to provide the key information and photos yourself, companies can put the book together for you, ensuring it’s looking professional, boxed and well-presented. This one’s sure to be enjoyed not only on the day but for years to come as something to look back on with love and fond memories whenever the pages are turned.
That said, do bear in mind that not all gifts have to be put in a box and wrapped up. In fact, in the era of collecting memories, not things, the best gifts often aren’t. Which brings us to our next point…
PLAN A TRIP SOMEWHERE
Didn’t do Vegas for their 21st? Why not plan to whisk your partner away for their 30th instead? They say that Vegas in your thirties is so much better than in your twenties anyway since you’ve more disposable income to splurge and enjoy the luxuries of Vegas to the full.
Or maybe you and your partner have a special place, perhaps where you went for your honeymoon, your first holiday together or even where you met? This thing writes itself; plan a surprise trip there!
If a full blown holiday is too much of a commitment, consider planning an evening experience instead, such as a date night out on the town with all the trimmings. Make a reservation at a romantic restaurant which you two have fond memories of, and then head to a local spot where you can dance and get lost in the moment.
Read: 7 tips for a banging birthday bash in Vegas
KEEP IT JUST YOU TWO
If you think 30th birthdays are overrated, rest assured that you’re not alone. Labelled by some as a Big Deal Birthday (BDB), as Refinery so eloquently writes “ Whether it’s an out-of-your-price-range dinner with a group of people you haven’t spoken to since college (for very good reason) or just a forced-fun night out at the klerb, you’ve likely been a victim of the BDB.”
We hate to say this, but throwing the invites far and wide might not actually be all that warmly received. Though reaching 30 years old might feel like a big deal for your partner, it’s just a number to friends and family, and you might be let down by their lack of enthusiasm should you arrange a big do to celebrate. Keep it light, keep it simple, and keep it just the two of you for best results.
THE BOTTOM LINE
‘Nuff said; cheers to thirty years!