Ideas for 80Th Birthday Party Needed!

My family loved to sing, so at parties we sing the "old" songs we loved.
Heart of My Heart
You Are My Sunshine
Any song by Rosemary Clooney

When my grandma turned 90, back in October, we had a "Roast and Toast" where the guests were invited to share funny or sentimental stories about my grandma. It was HILARIOUS! I learned so much about her that night and it was very nice for everyone to have a chance to express to her how much she means to all of us :)

Well, it's not a party idea but. . . . For my mom's 70th last year, I asked a bunch of MY friends to send her a card or email. My mom had so much fun getting cards from people she didn't know or maybe had met once or twice. Of course most made some comment about her having a wonderful daughter (me) which wasn't the goal, but also made her feel very proud that my friends 1) would do that and 2) they like me. ;)

When my mother turned 90, somebody read a little essay about why it's wonderful to be that age. Here's a little bit of it, and you can add to it and adapt it to a decade younger (actually, I've done a little adapting as I write):

You can sit back and watch the family tree grow taller, stronger, and wider.

You have more time to hear about all your exceptional grandchildren.

You are wise enough to know that "How are you?" is a greeting, not a real question, so everyone is delighted to greet you.

79-year-olds envy you.

People go out of their way to help you with anything. You can even stop traffic and cross the street wherever you want.

Your to-do list is as long or as short as you want it to be.

If you forget things, nobody minds - they're just amazed you're still around.

You're past the middle ages, so everyone knows you're a Renaissance man.

Go on from there... hope the party will be great!

For my stepdad we held a dinner and invited all the family and close and dear friends to share stories and enjoy each others company. My stepdad stood up to say thank you and went around the entire room saying something special about each and everyone in the room which surprised and enchanted everyone there. We also had photos hanging from fishing string hung all over of my stepdad with friends and family. We kept it simple, but we also had a larger group than 20. Good luck!

I am turning 80 this month and my "kids" are planning a family party at the home of one of my three son's house. Their father turned 80 5 years ago and we are having a similar thing at my party. People are asked to send in old photos for a slide show which will be shown. (My niece has offered to make a movie with my favorite songs over the years as background) During the party people will say things about memories and they have been asked to send in something written as well to put into a "Memory Book" I happen to love words so personal thoughts to and about me to savor as long as my memory and cognition hold out are the best "presents " I could possibly have, especially when they are coupled with the memory of the family gathering to celebrate with me. Some people are bringing special food, but we are also having some dishes from a caterer and hiring someone to clean and replenish dishes, etc. No games for us...

Bless you and your dad. My daughter who lives in NYC will come to bake the cake and is doing the overall organizing and I am sure your dad is appreciating all you are doing just as I appreciate what she and her sister who lives locally is doing.

My dad like looking at old photos on a dvd. We started with old black and whites and moved to today. DO NOT include YOUR friends just family. In a seperate section, labeled Dad's Friends, you can put HIS friends pics.

No pinata...no games...I know that much for sure. My mom was always saddend by pictures of long long ago....just pure fun...all of you being together...and some great food.

For my grandpa's 90th, everyone was asked to wear a baseball hat. My grandpa was a lover of sports. The invitation said something about how he had enjoyed the game of baseball as a player, spectator, umpire, and scorekeeper. We made him a book. Each grandkid and great-grandkid had a page in it. My uncle got a plaque from the city where my grandpa had donated a lot of his time.
We didn't really do games. It was at a restaurant. The kids played out in the (mostly empty) parking lot and had fun letting balloons go. Good luck!

Ask your father what HE would like at his party...the food, the guests, the entertainment, if there's anything in particular he would like as a gift, etc. It is, after all, HIS party, and seriously, he may surprise you.

for my Gma's 80th birthday, we invited all of the aunts/uncles/cousins. It was nice & lots of memories were shared. We did not play games. Simply enjoyed a day of food & memories.

for her 90th last year, I made photo boards & took my scrapbooks. The extended family enjoyed sharing memories from those photos.

this year, for her 91st....we're keeping it small. She was in a car accident a few days before Christmas & is still not healed. Just immediate family, food, & fun memories. We're hoping she'll let us look at her photos which she never shares. :)

when my grandpa turned 80 my aunt made a video for him. it had a montage of photographs set to his favorite music, with clips of family members giving personal little messages, memories, a special lesson he taught us, or just "happy birthdays" mixed throughout. there wasn't a dry eye :)

Agree with the photos/slideshow ideas. His favorite music too.

Maybe as a group go in on a special tribute gift that he'd love - something custom relating to a favorite place, memory, proud acheivement, hobby etc. that can be a memento for him and his loved ones to enjoy. A painting/drawing of a favorite place/person/thing/past time etc; a poster print of a familiy photo collage. A keepsake he can look at/enjoy every day after the balloons come down ;)

And last but not least, CAKE!!! Make sure you get his favorite :)