60th birthday ideas

The words,

If you know someone turning 60, you know it’s a pretty incredible milestone to celebrate. When you turn 60, you’ve lived enough life to accomplish some pretty amazing things, form great bonds and impact a lot of people in your life for the better. But you’ve also got a lot of life ahead of you—dreams to pursue, new memories to make, and bucket list items to check off.

One thing is for sure: A birthday like this deserves to be celebrated in just the right way. But nailing the perfect celebration for a future 60-year-old in your life feels intimidating, don’t worry—we’ve got your back. Read on for a great list of 60th birthday ideas—cake, presents, decor and more—to get you started on your way to an amazing birthday celebration.

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60th birthday party decor and theme ideas  

  • Go Hollywood 🎥 Use their favorite movie as a theme. Or, if they don’t have one movie that stands out, theme the party around movies and TV shows that were popular when they were growing up.
  • Throw a surprise party 🎉 One caveat: You know your guest of honor best—if they would not like a surprise party…don’t throw a surprise party. (But if they would, here are some tips on how to make it happen.)
  • Make it a throwback 👈 Pick a historical event from the year they were born and make it the theme of your party.
  • Dress it up 👗 Make it a theme party based on fads and fashions that were popular when they were born, or when they were growing up.
  • Go out on the town 🌃 Organize a group outing to see their favorite band or go on a tour of their favorite restaurants.
  • Go big 🛳️ 60 is a big deal—invite some close family to come along on a cruise or another big vacation to celebrate this big milestone.
  • Keep it simple ☀️ Invite close family and friends to a park or someone’s house. Gather for a meal and take turns going around the table and sharing a reason you’re grateful for the guest of honor.

60th birthday cake ideas  

  • Go fancy and classy. Hire a professional baker to whip up something extra elegant. (Or, if you’re a baker yourself, try your hand at making a cake to remember.)
  • Go to the movies. If the guest of honor is a fan of a popular movie franchise, make a cake themed to that franchise, but in a more refined way.
  • Cake it up a notch with cake toppers. Add some fun DIY cake toppers to take any cake to the next level.
  • Make it a photo cake. Use a custom-printed image of the guest of honor with their family (or, for a more humorous approach, one of their baby pictures) on the cake’s frosting.
  • Go with a non-traditional dessert. Instead of making a cake, make a favorite dessert from their childhood.

Need some cake ideas that will make you look like a way better baker than you maybe actually are? We’ve got you. 🎂

60th birthday food ideas  

  • Call in the caterers 🥘 Cater food from their favorite restaurant or rent out a private room at the restaurant and invite family and friends.
  • Or cater it yourself 🧑‍🍳 On a budget? Work together with some friends or family members to put together a meal full of their favorite foods.
  • All-out charcuterie 🧀 Put together a huge charcuterie board the size of the table. Ask people to bring delicious meats, cheeses and crackers for a fun spread.
  • Bring out the sweets 🍨 If the guest of honor would prefer a dessert party rather than a full meal, host an ice cream sundae bar with some fun retro theming.
  • Finger foods 🍟 If your party is more of a social gathering and less of a meal, make smaller, handheld versions of some of their favorite foods.

60th birthday gift ideas  

  • A thoughtful book. Consider this gift book reminding them just how amazing it is to be 60.
  • Pickleball equipment. Give them something they can use for their favorite active hobby.
  • A new journal. Gift them a journal they can use dream about future trips (and to take with them when they go!).
  • The gift of love. Organize a card shower with family and other loved ones to remind them how much they’re loved.
  • A thoughtful gift card. Give them a gift card to their favorite spa (or your favorite spa, if they don’t have one), or put together an at-home spa kit for them.
  • A many-layered gift. Feeling ambitious? Work together with friends and family to gather a combination of 60 of their favorite things.
  • Make ’em laugh! If they love to laugh, consider a funny gift to go along with any more “serious” gift you might be giving.

Bonus tip: The way you give a gift can make all the difference! Consider a creative gift wrapping idea (like one of these) to help make the gift-opening experience memorable.

60th birthday card message ideas  

  • You’ve done a lot in life and still have a lot more to explore! Here’s to the next decade of you!
  • Hope you feel loved, appreciated and celebrated today—you’ve earned it! So grateful for you.
  • Six whole decades of making people feel valued, important and loved. (Me included.) I’m so glad to be a part of your life and to celebrate you today.
  • 60 is the new 60! (When you make it look this good, why change anything?)
  • I want to be you when I grow up. Happy 60th birthday to one of my favorite people ever.

For even more ideas on what to write in a birthday card, check out this list to get you started.

We hope these 60th birthday ideas help you celebrate your loved one in a way that feels unique, meaningful and just right for them. And if you need any more ideas for birthday celebrations or anything else, we’ve got you covered for that, too.

 

Get more birthday ideas to help you celebrate loved ones of any age here: