How to Plan a Holiday Birthday Party with a Retro Vibe

Celebrating a milestone birthday—maybe a “Sweet 60th”?—during the holidays has got to be doubly festive! So we have a special treat for you in this post. A sparkly party scene with lots of gold and glitter. Check! Glitzy star accents studded with sequins. Check! A fun and fab retro theme for a unique spin on the season. Double check! Come see what we mean, and how to pull together such a celebration—from table decorations and place settings, to food and favor ideas.

Holiday Revelry Goes Retro: Table Styling Ideas

Retro Holiday Birthday Party // Styled by Bellenza.

Tablescape inspiration – Set the guest tables with gold-edged dinner plates and fancy stemmed drinking goblets. Create a center vignette with the table number lit by candles in sparkly votive holders, and surrounded by glittery star cutouts and loose gold sequins And for fab accent pieces, dig up (or borrow) old vinyl records in their iconic jackets from the ‘50s and ‘60s!

Pink candles on tablescape for retro Christmas party.

DIY candleholders – A holiday table must be “merry and bright,” especially for a birthday event. So in addition to the center votives, place floating candles in glass ice cream or sorbet goblets and position them throughout the tablescape. Such a simple DIY, but with instant impact!

Retro holiday birthday tablescape.

Stars and sequins – Another high-impact decorating idea are these star cutouts covered in red and gold glitter, then encrusted with sequins. A great way to simulate holiday ornaments at far less cost! Use them as “coasters” for the floating candles, and scatter them amidst the table elements along with loose gold sequins.

Retro holiday favors with pink favor bags.

Pink favor bags – To welcome each guest to her seat, go girly-retro with these vintage-style favor bags. Fill them with nostalgic treats like holiday hard candies or peppermint bonbons, or packets of winter-themed potpourri.

Retro holiday place settings.

Pretty place settings – Set each gold-rimmed plate on a record jacket serving as a placemat. Roll up each table napkin and secure it with a napkin ring in the shape of a big gold bow (you could DIY this in a snap!). Then place a sequined star alongside for a festive holiday touch.

Party Fare Ideas from the ‘50s and ‘60s

Of course, your party menu should continue the nostalgia trip! Think dishes, desserts and drinks that you remember your mom preparing for family Christmas gatherings. Borrow her vintage recipes or do a search online—like we did. We found actual old-time favorites, as well as some just retro-inspired.

Retro Christmas Food for a Holiday Birthday Party.

  1. Italian Sausage Balls – A flavorful appetizer garnished in holiday style, in this recipe courtesy of Food Network.
  2. Old-fashioned Holiday Glazed Ham – Paula Deen’s version of this classic dish for the season found via Food Network.
  3. Glitter and sugar rimmed cocktail glasses – Whatever drinks you choose to serve, this is one great way to get them party-ready—spotted on Everyday Dishes.
  4. Christmas sangria – Yes, there’s a holiday version of this popular party beverage! Here it is from Cake N’ Knife.
  5. Sparkling Jell-O ShotsThis Silly Girl’s Life made these with Welch’s Sparkling White Grape Juice Cocktail and raspberry Jell-O. So easy, yet so festive with those gold sprinkles on top!
  6. Mocha Buche de Noel – A fancy way to say “Christmas chocolate cake roll.” So cleverly decorated to look like a log with sprigs of sugared cranberries and rosemary “pine needles,” courtesy of BHG.

Party Favors to Give

We even found some cool retro gift items and holiday treats that would make perfect party favors for this Retro Holiday Birthday! Consider snow globes, reindeer ornaments, peppermint spoons, and holiday chocolates.


What other fun table elements, menu ideas or party favors would you suggest for this theme? Share them in a comment below. Happy holiday birthday!

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