The grand milestone ages of 90 and 100 are quite an achievement and both are landmarks worth celebrating. The guest of honour is likely to be surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching their family grow will be one of their greatest enjoyments. While it can be difficult to pin a family of multi generations down, you just have to set a date, a time and a place and take a few days out to celebrate that special 90 or 100-year-old in your lives. The pure joy on their face when they set eyes on all their beloved family and friends will make the party planning worthwhile.
We’ve picked out some low-key but special 90th and 100th birthday party ideas and themes, and matched them with a big party house that’s just right for a momentous occasion like this.
A summer garden party
Sleeps 16
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Lose yourself in the simply stunning garden of this impressive Georgian home. Enjoy the views over the River Severn and make use of the sweet-smelling herb garden, fresh blackcurrants and raspberries, and the delicious apples, pears and plums that grow in the ancient orchard.
Host a special 90th or 100th birthday garden party on the superbly designed patio which leads out from a large conservatory. Sit the guest of honour at the head of the table so they can enjoy the glorious views and watch the children play games on the perfectly manicured lawn. There is also a hot tub and games room for added entertainment.
Decoration:
Choose a colour theme to match the flowers in the garden - add cushions, napkins and tablecloths to reflect the colour palette. String up some fairy lights so you can continue into the evening.
Cake:
How about a summer berry layer cake using fruit from the garden?
Food ideas:
Prepare a menu of all their favourite dishes to serve out of the impressive kitchen or make use of the BBQ and cook alfresco!
A classic film night
Sleeps 22
Hold a traditional night at the ‘pictures’ in the 16-seat cinema room, just like when the honouree would have been ‘courting’ back in the day. Transport them back in time to their very first date night and screen their favourite old movies and serve pots of ice cream in the interval. The 3-metre screen, surround-sound and speaker system will deliver an extra special movie experience.
The manor house itself is an impressive country house which sits in 1.5 acres of gardens with a further 3.8 acres of paddocks and apple orchards. In addition to the cinema room, you can soak in a private hot tub, enjoy entertainment in the games room and get competitive on the tennis court. As the celebrations wind down, the guest of honour will feel content as they relax in the snug and listen to the tinkle of the piano.
Decoration:
Go down the Hollywood theme and lay down a red carpet! You could even get creative and make some vintage film posters and sets of cinema tickets for an authentic experience.
Cake:
Make it fun! Arrange for someone to make a Hollywood themed sponge cake or recreate the scene from one of their favourite movies.
Food ideas:
Popcorn, pots of ice cream and retro sweets that will take the guest of honour right back to their youth.
An elegant music night
Cotswold Farm | Chipping Sodbury, Cotswolds
Sleeps 19
Music is a powerful way to lift our mood and can often trigger memories - a special way to celebrate a lifetime. Endeavour to find out what music they love, what songs take them back to their youth, or whether they once played an instrument. Whatever the connection, a music night is a unique way to celebrate, and the opulent backdrop of Cotswold Farm is a fabulous place to host.
If there are no piano players in your family, hire a musician to come and play the baby grand piano in the elegant lounge. Be sure to bring some of the honouree’s favourite songs from different decades and get them to tell you about the memories they evoke.
Decoration:
Hang handmade decorations using old CDs and records or cut music notes out of paper.
Cake:
Are they a lover of jazz or classical? Do they have a favourite artist? Find out and design the cake accordingly.
Food ideas:
Serve canapes and glasses of champagne on trays to create an elegant ambience befitting of their chosen music.
A formal dinner party
Sleeps 14
Rich in history, this Elizabethan manor house is a grand venue for hosting a formal dinner party in The Great Hall. After an indulgent dinner, retire to the sitting room for after-dinner coffee beside the fire, or settle in the cinema room to watch a movie together. There is a fabulous kitchen with plenty of mod-cons for serving up an impressive three-course meal, but why not save the stress and hire an external caterer to serve a celebratory meal that you can all enjoy?
You will also love taking a dip in the outside swimming pool, challenging one another to a game on the tennis court and peaceful walks through the bluebell woods.
Decoration:
Make a big impact with the table decorations and include grand centrepieces and pillar candles. Design place names and include small favours so there’s no confusion on seating arrangements.
Cake:
A grand venue deserves a grand cake like these masterpieces.
Food ideas:
Design a three-course menu that the guest of honour will love – do some research and find out what their favourite dishes are.
A traditional afternoon tea
Farmhouse Manor | Royal Leamington Spa, Cotswolds
Sleeps 10
At the age of 90 or 100, the guest of honour will be quite happy to take life a little slower, and this cottage is the perfect place to sit back and relax. While the honouree does just that, children and adults alike will love the indoor swimming pool and tennis courts.
Bring everyone back together for a classic afternoon tea to mark the special milestone birthday. Prepare finger sandwiches, cakes and scones in the wonderful kitchen or hire someone to come and do it for you. Depending on the time of year, you could host the afternoon tea on the decking overlooking the ornamental pond or on the large wooden table beside the fire in the dining hall.
Decoration:
Serve food on vintage crockery and elegant cake stands, pour tea from ancient teapots into china teacups. Hang vintage bunting, lay down a floral tablecloth and decorate the table with fresh smelling flowers.
Cake:
As an alternative to one big birthday cake, why not serve an assortment of pretty cupcakes?
Food ideas:
Traditional afternoon tea; everything from finger sandwiches to scones and Victoria sponge cakes.
We hope these 90th and 100th birthday party ideas have inspired your big celebration. We have hundreds of large house and party houses in the UK and Europe that make the perfect venues to combine a BIG holiday with a BIG celebration.
Whether you are celebrating a 90th or 100th birthday, or you have another milestone birthday approaching, our ultimate guide to milestone birthdays can inspire you further!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.