A particular age. Wiser. Over the hill. We have several euphemisms for old age. Any of them can be an appropriate birthday theme for a family member or friend who has reached an “old” age milestone.
When can you celebrate someone’s old age? Well, it’s probably best before they are really old. “Over the Hill” birthday parties have more of a sense of humor about the whole “getting older” thing. You can probably choose the age, like somewhere around 40 or 50. (But don’t pick 30. That just seems cruel.)
So if you’ve got the perfect victim (I mean, birthday person) in mind, here are some tips to plan and execute an amazing “Over the Hill” birthday party.
Keep it a surprise
You can tell the birthday guy or gal that you’re hosting a party. You can even tell them who’s invited. But saying, “We’re throwing you an Over the Hill party” ruins a bit of the fun.
If you want to see the celebrant laugh when they walk into their party, at least keep the theme a surprise. Keeping the whole party a surprise, though, is probably a lot more fun for everyone.
Just make sure you know your audience. Not everyone enjoys surprises. In that case, a subtle surprise for the “Over the Hill” theme is probably best.
Decorate with “old age” items
Part of the humor of an “Over the Hill” party is that someone is getting older, but they aren’t exactly geriatric yet. Dentures, arthritis creams, adult diapers, reading glasses, and “Caution: You’re Old” signs are all humorous decorations you can incorporate into the party space.
You might have even seen a themed tombstone or two as these types of celebrations, so if everyone has a good sense of humor, a “Here lies Daniel’s youth” grave marker is a perfect extra touch.
Match the food to the “Over the Hill” birthday party theme
Eating party food that matches the theme is a good time for everyone. It also gives you a chance to be creative and clever. So here are a few ideas of party snacks and treats you can put together for an “Over the Hill” birthday party:
- Think back to your childhood and make some dirt pudding for someone Older than Dirt
- Mix up some party punch (these are for adults only) and label it “The Fountain of Youth”
- Fill a bowl with “Pain Pills,” like Skittles, M&Ms, jellybeans, or Mike & Ikes
- Serve any food (burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, etc.), just make sure there’s a sign nearby that says “Early Bird Senior Special”
Give the perfect gift
For a clever present, create an “Over the Hill” gift basket complete with prune juice, denture glue, and a book of crossword puzzles. Then, to even out all the teasing and fun, make sure to give a few things the birthday guy or gal really wants. Ask them to create a wishlist on Giftster that you can share with all the guests, so they’ll leave their party a little older, a little wiser, and a lot happier.
