I need help. I am planning a surprise 30th birthday party for my husband on Dec. 29. I really need help with a theme, food ideas, and thing to do during the party. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!
Michelle
Last year my husband turned 30 and I had a scavenger hunt party for our friends and family. All the items on the list had to do with either the number 30 (find a sign with the number 30 on it, find 30 spoons, do 30 jumping jacks, etc.) or things from his past (the first restaurant he worked at, his high school, a movie from the year he was born). The guests arrived and were split into teams. Each team was given a list of items and 90 minutes to take pictures or videos of as many items as possible. Make sure you include silly things like acting out scenes from movies or singing songs from the top ten from his birth year. Ahead of time I asked guests to bring along their own digital and video cameras so we didn't need any extra equipment. While the teams were out hunting I made up snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy when they got back to watch the videos on our TV. Not only did everyone learn a bit about my husband's past and have a lot of fun, but we now have the videos and pictures to remind us all of the special day. (11/02/2004)
By Trix
Michelle,
I just had a surprise 40th for my dh. Since he loves coffee, I had a party at a locally owned coffee shop. We had biscotti, tiramasu, scones, and a cake with a coffee cup. Everyone could enjoy lattes or cold drinks and I had carafes of flavored coffee and another yummy brew. It was a great theme and everyone had a great time! The major chains don't usually do this, but smaller coffee shop owners usually welcome the business and publicity. Call around. (11/02/2004)
By Vicki in WI
What about having him relive his glory years? When a friend of ours turned 30 we threw him an 80's themed party which he loved. There's so much inspiration to draw off of a generation between dress, television programs, activities (video games, toys, etc), even headline news. (11/03/2004)
By Kelly
This is just something small but I just did this for my DH last month. We placed photos of him as a decoration. They should be pics of his life. Also, we bought a frame which included a matte and Sharpies. All of the guests signed the matte and I took a pic of him at the party to place in the frame. He loved it! (11/04/2004)
By Jacqui
I have been trying to put together ideas for my husband's 30th B-day also. Since my mother in law lives in town and loves to cook she is hosting the party. I am going to get a babysitter to watch everyones' kids at my house. My husband will assume that we are going out for dinner and a movie as usual but to his surprise we will be having dinner and games at his mom's.
By megal
Hey I'm throwing a 30th surprise for my husband on New Year's Eve! I hope it turns out OK. But I was thinking of doing a casino night! I'm going to have a d.j. and tons of drinks and invite all my husbands old friends from all over. Good luck with yours! (12/01/2004)
By vivian desjardin
I am throwing my husband a surprise 30th birthday in June. I have decided to go with the casino party theme. It took me months to locate all of his friends. I am having food, drinks and even give aways that include things that would be at a casino, such as dice, cards and lanyards with "high roller" on them. (05/15/2005)
By TYS
I'm doing the same, sorting through all the ideas to through my hubby a surprise 30th. I would like it to be special since this will be his first 30th. The ideas I came up are from the things he likes: a sport themed party where all dress up in their favorite team outfits, or a carnival party for the kids too where we'd have a magician, and rentals like a cotton candy machine. So many ideas and what would be the best not sure. Any help would be great. The 80's party is a good idea that may consider. (08/03/2005)
By Suzie D.
My husband's 30th BD is coming up in a few weeks. After much heeing and hawing trying to come up with a theme, I decided on Tex-Mex. I wanted to stay away from anything "Over the Hill," and thought that this would be a good route to go since he LOVES Mexican food. I found little plastic cactus shot glasses that I am going to fill with M&M's and then wrap to give away as favors. I also have a chili pepper pinata that I am going to have him break open (it will be filled with candy, scratch off lottery tickets, mini bottles of alcohol, etc.) The menu will consist of beef, chicken and shrimp fajitas, chips and salsa, Mexican rice, corn pudding, all the condiments, etc.
By LA in NJ
For the woman who's in a new city, doesn't know anyone and wants to celebrate her husband's 30th birthday. Find out what his favorite group was in high school and take him to a concert! It's a sure way to cheer him up. Look on line and find out when they're coming to your town or somewhere close. (It may not be on his birthday but you can tell him it's his day to celebrate) You might make it a weekend trip to a nearby town. Don't tell him where he's going, just get him in the car. If you have the cash to spare, buy him a new out fit for the occasion. If you're going out of town, pack the suitcase ahead of time with all the goodies you can think of - use your imagination here. If the show is local, wrap the outfit, have him open it and then tell him to put it on. Take him out for his favorite food and then to the show. Buy him a concert T-shirt at the show and give him a "greatest hits" CD on the way home as his gift and a perfect momento of the evening. He'll think of you and all the fun you had every time he plays it! (08/25/2005)
By
I just gave my husband a 30th birthday party with an Octoberfest theme. We got some cheesy online decorations to put up in the garage and cleared off his work bench to use as a bar. I went to a restaurant supply store and bought a bunch a of pitchers to serve the beer from the keg. We served German food (brats and saurkraut), pretzels, and peanuts. We also had everyone bring a six pack of specialty, microbrew or foreign beer for everyone to taste. It was a hit. (11/01/2005)
By T
When my husband turned "50" I made a story board. It had things from when he was a little boy on up. I was not from his hometown, but knew he was born at the place that is now the court house. I got all the information and wrote it. ALMOST like a bio I guess. I had a Mickey Mouse cake to represent the past and a GUITAR cake to represent what he loves now. The guests could dress from the past like people did in the 50s or like in the present. (11/03/2005)
By Shirley Crawford
I had a really hard time with this one too, my hubby is really into hockey and he likes Boston Bruins so I secretly got him tickets, and were going to get a hotel, so it's a lil something for me too. (11/26/2005)
By ashlie greatrex
My husband's 30th is in January and I am planning a party for him. Since he really isn't "over the hill," I decided to have a celebration party instead. I rented a room in a restaurant, got a DJ and am having an 70s/80s theme party. Every guest must dress up like the 70s/80s and we are playing all 80's music. I am decorating with a bunch of pictures from his childhood. As a party favor, I ordered from an online company all the candy we grew up eating (wax lips, pixie sticks, etc) I can't wait and I hope yours is a lot of fun! (12/06/2005)
By Dana
My sister is turning 30 in June. I'll be planning a garden tea party. I am setting up small round tables in my backyard. I'll have little tea cakes and sandwiches. Everyone has been asked to wear gloves and hats. My sister is a very girly girl so this should be perfect. Hope this helps (04/07/2006)
By Annie
For my hubby's birthday I took him on a helicopter ride over the city- we had just moved and it was perfect for him we stayed in a hotel and went to his favorite restaurant- it was all a surprise I didn't tell him what we were doing until we were at the place. Also in high school something fun we did was dress like movie stars and go karaoke singing-you could go to a fair also-cheap and so much fun! (04/19/2006)
By parisgirl
I came up with an idea for a friend's 30th and now I'm regretting not using it for my husband's 30th instead. But here is it: have a kid-themed party (for the adults) with bozo buckets, pin the tail on the donkey, a pinata, maybe even those inflatable jumping things for the backyard or a traveling petting zoo (remember Mrs. Doubtfire?). I'd even make a special "smash" cake for the birthday boy and not let him use any silverware :) (09/08/2006)
By Laura
I am trying to plan a 30th for my sister and I thought a murder mystery party would be a fun idea so maybe you could do that, or I just threw a very successful casino night party with gaming tables and dealers everyone had a wonderful time. Hope this helps you!!! (09/08/2006)
By K
I threw a Monte Carlo/Hold Em Tournament for my husband's 30th birthday and it was a party that everyone still talks about to this day! The first hour and a half was innocent gambling where we had slot machines, big six wheel, black jack and poker tables. (Everything was rented and it was less then $200.) When the guests walked in they were greeted with a cup filled with tokens, poker chips, directions, and chocolate gold coins. They could spend their fake money how ever they wanted. At the end of the hour and a half, they exchanged them for tickets. Some people made a lot of money on the games and some lost. Then there were those that weren't gamblers so they just watched and still earned tickets because they never spent the money they had. I then had lots of adult goodies like alcohol and romance baskets or footballs and cigars that the guests could put their tickets in for a chance to win. They could put them all in one or spread them out among many. We blew out candles and cut cake then did the drawings and everyone really got into it. Once the innocent games were over we had a Texas Hold em Tournament for the real gamblers and the later partiers. It was a blast for everyone especially my husband! (09/10/2006)
By Katy
My friend is also turning 30 and we have rented a private room at a restaurant for about 20 people, we are going to pre-pay for heavy apps and a few bottles of wine to get everyone started and then have a cash bar. We will have everyone in the room holding a single rose and have her boyfriend holding the rest, all so it adds up to 30 and when she greets everyone they have a rose to give her! We are also going to have a story board of her childhood, and video messages from her brother and others that cannot make it. Hope that helps with some ideas! (09/20/2006)
By C
I am planning a 30th birthday party for my husband as well. I am going to surprise him at his favorite restaurant with our friends and family. I am going to have it at a Japanese restaurant since he loves sushi. We are going to have a bowling party afterward. I am giving everyone a pair of chopsticks as a memento from his party. (09/25/2006)
By Renee
Well I am also planning a 30th b-day party. I can only tell you what i'm doing! An all chocolate theme party. The menu is all desserts and even chocolate martinis. For decor I am decorating in chocolate and an ice blue. For favors for the guests, I am giving chocolate cigars to the men and chocolate truffles for the ladies. The room looks very jazz club, with candles, wine good music and elegant linens! That just what I am doing. I think another great idea would be to serve strawberries and champagne. (10/02/2006)
By krista
The best idea I have seen is giving all the guests a blown up picture of the guest of honor's face on a popsicle stick and when the person walks in all they see is there own face staring back at them .....many different times as all the guest hold up the picture in front of there own faces (10/06/2006)
By Kristen
My friends 30th b-day is October 22nd and we are planning on surprising him by telling him we are watching the GB Packer game. His family is going to be here from WI. I cam getting some ideas and think we will have a WI/Packer Surprise Party. I was going to do this at my house but now that they are not showing this game on TV we are going to have to go to a sports bar. Any ideas on what I can do with crowds around yet make it a fun special day for him? (10/11/2006)
By Becky
I am also throwing a 30th bday party for my husband. I thought I would get 30 of his friends together at a hibachi/sushi restaurant (where they make the food in front of you) and then go to a favorite bar.
Any other additions to enhance the experience?? (11/05/2006)
By Brooke
I think it would be fun to have karaoke at the party. Use music from their childhood/teen years. (11/07/2006)
By linda
For a thirty party, you should have people bring gifts in thirties. Thirty candy bars, thirty kisses (from the wife), thirty birthday cards about turning 30. Let your guests be the creative ones. You don't have to come up with all the ideas. (11/07/2006)
By
I am throwing an Italian theme party for my husband at an Italian hall. Lots of wine and pasta and music! (11/15/2006)
By
For my 30th my husband planned a nice get together with at a desert restaurant for me and my closest friends. He asked them to each bring 30 of something for me. One brought a CD with 30 songs on it. Another brought 30 pieces of candy. Yet another gave me 30 lip balms (I'm dependent!!) Great ideas! (11/29/2006)
By guest
I am planning a 30th birthday party for my husband for this January. He is a huge movie buff so on the invitations I put Surprise party for *****, Big Movie Hits of the Last 3 Decades! Dress up as your favorite movie character from the last thirty years! I am hoping everyone uses their imagination and it is a big hit! (12/31/2006)
By Jennie
My husband turns 30 at the end of the month. We rented a house in the Colorado mtns with 5 other couples. We are doing a ski/mountain town weekend. I am cooking and doing decorations/cake, probably some sort of interactive game and drinking, hot tubbing, etc. (01/02/2007)
By Meghan
My husband's 30th is in March, and I am doing Hibachi and then bowling for 25 people. I saw some similar posts below and want to know if everyone had fun? I am going to make fun invitations on a bowling ball or something that goes with the theme. (01/05/2007)
By Himay
I threw my husband a Surprise Poker Party. I bought all the table for the games and the cards and chips. Made/ordered food and he loved it. Just think of what your husband's fav. thing is and cater to that! GOOD LUCK (01/09/2007)
By Kathleen
We are planning a huge deal for my brother. He has 2 small kids and he is very into his family. I am his sister and also have 2 small kids. He is visiting from out of town and his whole family will be there, including his parents. We are having a money cake filled with 30 loonies. We are getting each person, even the kids to bring 30 of something?? ex: I am writing a list of 30 things that he has helped me through in life as his younger sister. My daughter is giving him 30 marbles in case he loses his and my 2 year old 30 spices to spice things up. His wife is doing the same, his 2 kids and our parents as well. We are playing 30 games, going to dinner and having a good old family night. He is not much of a drinker so he will enjoy this. (01/09/2007)
By carly
My boyfriend's 30th birthday is in two weeks. I'm throwing him a surprise party a week before- so he doesn't suspect anything. I've arranged for a few friends to take him golfing that day- and when they return to the house, all of his friends will be at our house to surprise him. I'm having food (catered and home made) and cocktails at the house. I've also created a T-shirt for him to wear which mimicks the Mastercard... priceless commercial- listing various accomplishments of his from the last 30 years (funny, unique, and special ones too). I've also created and ordered buttons with various pictures of him on them for each of the guests to wear. (you can create and order things like this for a very reasonable price at www.zazzle.com.) Finally, I've rented a party bus to take 30 of us downtown for some dancing and drinks after hanging out at our house. The bus is round trip, so everyone is able to ride there and back together- and no one has to worry about cabs or driving. Hopefully everything goes as planned- and everyone has fun! (01/28/2007)
By Lilly
For my husband's birthday his family and I came up with several ideas that I thought were pretty good. It was hard to choose. Apparently Mexican restaurants have cheap take-out. You can have a Mexican themed party with salsa, chips and your favorite meals. Make Margaritas and string bright lights around a back yard. Some BBQ joints will also cater. Another idea was a pig roast. They come to your house and set it up for you. Lastly, but most expensively, is a clam bake. This works best if you live relatively close to the ocean (fresh sea food is key). It could be a great summer/warm weather party with umbrellas, white lights and fun in the sun.
Good Luck! (01/31/2007)
By Mary
I am having a 30th birthday party for my hubby soon. I decided to have a 70s theme since he was born in the 70s. Everyone will wear 70s style clothes. The music will mainly be from the 70s. There will be a history board with pictures of him growing up and a newspaper from the day he was born. I am making up some 70s style posters as well. I am doing the food myself which will include a fondue set as this was the thing then. Hope this will help. (03/19/2007)
By nicky
Check out the website www.lovingyou.com There are tons of awesome ideas on there! I did a scavenger hunt for my boyfriend for Christmas and rented a hotel room for that night. It was amazing!
Good Luck (04/29/2007)
By Tiffany
My husband is turning 30 in 2 weeks and because I am 5 years older he is always ranking on my age, well now it's pay back time for me and all my friends so the theme of my Ed's 30th is 30. Even his number 30 cake will have little 30s all over it. As one of the banners reads, "finally reached the same decade as your wife" He thinks it's not a big deal turning 30 let's see who has the last laugh, it's all in good fun though. A big celebration in the park with all our friends...perfect, as one other person said do what he loves. (05/20/2007)
By Liz
My husband's surprise party is next Saturday. He thinks we're having people at our house on Sunday afternoon for a cookout and to use our pool. I even went to the trouble of calling a local tent company to ask for their help so he thinks I'm renting a tent! The community's familiar with my husband as he's an inspector and on the fire department. It's going to be a particularly busy weekend as my son's birthday will be Friday night with 16 other 3 year olds! (Dad and son were both born on the same day!) Here's what we're doing right now: Invites went out about two months prior to give everyone enough time to plan on attending and make travel arrangements. We're going to a park for a lunch before attending a local baseball game. To get my husband to the park, we're getting family pictures taken at a local garden to keep him busy while the park gets set up. Then, I told him we'll take our sons (2 yrs and 7 months) to a park to let them play. Several friends and family are making dishes for the lunch at the park. The photographer is going from the family pictures to the park to beat us there and take pictures for about an hour. At the park, my husband will find a large number of friends and family there for him. The pavilion will be set up with the food and coolers for drinks. The cakes (1 for my husband and one for my son) will also be on display. I also made candy cakes for each of them to display as well. Along with the invitations, I sent out a "Memories of Dan" sheet that I asked guests to fill out and return to me. These will be on display along with the scrapbook I made him. There will also be pictures around the pavilion of him throughout his 30 years. The photographer will be taking a group picture of everyone to be put into a picture frame that everyone will sign while at the party. After eating, presents and cake, we will head to the baseball game that he thinks is sold out. This is an extra-special game with a Jimmy Buffet impersonator which he will love.
These are just a few of the suggestions I have :) Please feel free to email with any questions: lynnscreativememories AT yahoo.com (07/05/2007)
By Lynn
Having a casino night is real fun if your guests are into gaming. You don't have to have the games for money but have your guests collect their chips and then at the end of the night exchange it for a gift. Hope this helps you! (07/30/2007)
By Diva
Try hiring sumo suits or having a costume party. (08/01/2007)
By Smurf
For those of you that live in NY there is a place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Barcade and it literally is a bar with a large selection of tap beers and tons of arcade games such as Pac Man and Don King Kong. I am planning on throwing my boyfriend a surprise party there so he can be a kid again since he is actually feeling bummed about turning 30. He also loves to dress casual so this is a place were he can do so, be himself, drink all different types of beer, play games and be with his friends. (09/18/2007)
By ST
How about a murder mystery dinner? Depending on how your hubby is, whether he would get into the "theme" or not you can find a restaurant that hosts & some of the themes are that you're attending a 80s HS reunion with all 80s music, or you're in the 20s & everyone dresses from that era, etc. At least it'll be something different & dinner is included. (11/25/2007)
By A.
I am throwing my man a surprise 30th! Perfect plan. We rented a school bus to take us into town to see an improv show! We already told the host of the show several bits of personal information (and a couple embarrassing secrets) about him and they promised to thoroughly humiliate him! 25 close friends and several alcoholic beverages and it should be a great night. Can't wait, should be a blast!
(11/28/2007)
By Chrissy
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