9 Unique and Memorable 75th Birthday Ideas

If you’re in charge of throwing a 75th birthday party for your mom, dad, grandparent, friend, or loved one, you might be drawing a blank. What’s a good 75th birthday party theme that will delight the birthday honoree and entertain guests at the same time? What do 75-year-olds want to do at a party?

We’ve done the brainstorming for you with this guide full of 75th birthday ideas. We have nine fun themes to riff on plus customizable digital invitations to match each one. Let’s dive in!

1. “A Tini Bit Older” Party

Design: 2birdstone | Dirty Martini Invitation

This classic 75th birthday party idea — a cocktail party — comes with a twist. The special occasion will be all about martinis! Buy some high-quality gin and vodka options, vermouth, and plenty of lemons and olive jars. Include extra-special ingredients like:

• Pickled onion
• Absinthe
• Lychee
• Orange bitters
• Espresso
• Chocolate liqueur
• Sour apple schnapps
• Hot sauce
• Cornichons
• Flavored vodka and gin

You can put up a simple recipe as a template for guests to follow or have a bartender mixing up drinks.

For 75th birthday party decorations, have a birthday banner that reads, “A Tini Bit Older.” Blow up olive-green balloons and tape red circles on them so they look like floating olives — a simple DIY that will delight your guests.

If guests need gift ideas, have them bring a spirit to share.

2. Decades Trivia

Design: Holly Whitcomb | Loaded Layer Cake Invitation

Quiz your birthday honoree on trivia from the year or decade they were born. All the party guests get to play too, of course! This trivia game will likely be for the year 1950 or so.

Here are some sample trivia questions to walk down memory lane:

• Which sitcom that debuted in 1951 was the first scripted TV show to be filmed in front of a studio audience? (Answer: I Love Lucy)
• What was the original name of the remote control, which was invented in 1950? (Answer: Lazy Bones)
• Which movie won the Oscar for Best Motion Picture in 1949? (Answer: All the King’s Men)
• 1954 was the year of the first successful organ transplant. Which organ was it? (Answer: Kidney)

You could also do a few trivia questions from each decade they’ve been alive or focus the trivia on their passions, like musicals, baseball, or travel.

3. Pickleball Party

Design: Robinson Creative House | Pickleball Court Invitation

A lot of 75-year-olds are anything but fragile! Keep your active loved one moving and grooving with a pickleball party.

To start, reserve a court at your local pickleball spot. Pack a net because many outdoor courts require you to bring your own, and ask guests to bring balls and paddles. Dress code: athletic shoes and breathable fabrics!

At the event, pair up your partygoers, and host a friendly competition. Bring a prize for the winner if your guest list is full of competitive types. Select a scorekeeper team for those with mobility issues, and set up an area for non-pickleballers to sit and chat.

Supply extra paddles, water bottles, Gatorades, granola bars, and a celebratory cake for the end.

For a variation, you could do squash, tennis, bowling, or even chess.

4. Story Party

Design: Signature Greenvelope | Foiled Book Club Invitation

Have you heard of The Moth? It’s a story slam event where people share a true, personal story without notes. Take inspiration from the iconic event and have everyone prepare to share a story about the guest of honor. You can share a prompt, like “Funniest Thing Donna Ever Did” or “Your Favorite Memory With Bill.” The birthday honoree can share a story of their choosing, if they’re so inclined.

To help the storytelling go smoothly and ensure everyone gets the chance to share their cherished memories, have someone time each person and raise their hand when they reach, say, three minutes. Combat performance anxiety by telling everyone that the story doesn’t need to be revelatory, funny, or polished — just true!

5. Private Chef Party

Design: Carrie ONeal | Dinner Is Served Invitation

Instead of laboring in the kitchen on the special day, hire a private chef to cook a fabulous meal for the 75th birthday celebration. You can find private chefs on Airbnb Experiences or do a Google search for your area. 

For your part of the party planning, focus on a nice playlist, some table decor, and drinks. The private chef could make a birthday cake, too! This is the perfect gift to yourself as the planner.

6. Diamond White Party

Design: Claudia Owen | All That Glitters Invitation

A traditional 75th birthday party theme is diamond white, so lean in with an all-white party. Diamonds signify the strength, elegance, and brilliance of a 75-year-old. Capture the spirit of this theme with an all-white dress code, silver and white table centerpieces, and lots of sparkles. Have the guest of honor wear shimmering silver to stand out against all the white.

7. Concert or Musical Event

Design: Cynthia Jacquette Art and Design | Ready to Rock Invitation

Is your loved one into a certain type of music? Hire a local band to play at the party, or take everyone out to a music event. Maybe they’re into big band, swing, jazz, classical, or classic rock and roll. Whatever they like, there’s bound to be a performer for hire near you. 

You could also set up karaoke if they’re the performing type and have them croon the night away with their pals at their birthday bash. Having a microphone will be perfect for singing “Happy Birthday”!

8. Casino Night

Design: Hooray Creative | Fabulous Las Vegas Invitation

For this milestone birthday, throw a casino night! Deck out your party venue with poker tables, a rented slot machine, a bar, and card tables. Have party helpers act as the dealers, and play games like blackjack and poker. Include some areas for bingo and simple board games as well so there’s something for everyone.

For a much simpler gathering, you could do a Bunco party, but lean into the casino theme for your decoration ideas. Grab a couple of prizes and some Vegas-themed party favors, and get ready to roll into 75!

9. Bucket List Party

Design: Owl and Toad | Noted Boldly Invitation

If your guest list consists of just a few family members and close friends, here’s a fun 75th birthday idea — have a bucket list party! Ask the guest of honor to share their bucket list and pick one thing off it to do. Maybe it’s to get a tattoo, go skydiving, see the Grand Canyon, or become scuba certified. Make lasting memories by making their dreams come true.

Enjoy These 75th Birthday Ideas

Take one of these ideas and put your personal touch on it. Think through the birthday person’s interests and how they like to celebrate. As long as their loved ones are there, they’ll be happy.

If you like one of the invites above, you can send it out in just a few taps. Scroll more party invitations from our collection to get even more b-day inspiration. We know your party will be a blast!