Surprise 50th Birthday Party

somnybooks

Hello everyone!  I am beginning to plan my mother's surprise birthday party for her 50th.  I don't want to do an over-the-hill theme.

 My question is would you do a 60's theme because that is when she was born, or a 70's theme because that is when she was a teenager? Although, come to think of it, she hates disco... 

Or should I just do a "50 and Fabulous" type theme? Any thoughts/ideas welcome!

 TIA 

TarHeels&Rebels

I openly admit I'm anti-theme.  Why not just get fresh flowers in her favorite color and coordinate with napkins and invitations? 

northtamarack

When I do themes, if focuses on the food.  So in this case, I would not theme it.  Everyone knows that she is turning 50 just let that carry the party. 

SBS0628

If you wanted to go with a decade theme (and I, personally, like themes) why not do 50s? Celebrate turning 50 with a sock-hop themed party. You can do a variety of milkshakes and a spin on "high end" diner food (sliders, onion rings, etc.).

saraeric

Both of my parents turned 50 last year, within a month of each other, so I threw a surprise party for both of them. I raided their pictures and tried to find a bunch of them from when they were kids/teens/early marriage years and I hung them on ribbons around the house. I cut a length of ribbon and used a push pin to get it to stick to the wall. Then I paper clipped pics to it so the pics didn't get damaged.  It was a huge hit! Also did fresh flowers and had lots of food. Good luck!

Bellina12200

My mom turned 50 this year and I threw her a surprise party.  I went with a theme incorporating something she loves - travel.  It was an elegant event but incorporated the theme in terms of the cake (had all the places she has been on it), favors (silver luggage tags), and I made a photo guestbook for people to sign that had pictures from various trips of hers.  Think about something she is into, a hobby, interest, maybe even just a color, and go from there!