70th Birthday Ideas for Men
By an Award-Winning Professional Event Planner
Creative and unusual ways to celebrate men's 70th birthdays
If you're tired of the same old clichéd party ideas, and are looking for something more inspiring or just a little bit different, this site is packed with original and creative party ideas. I'm Matt James, an award-winning professional event planner who has produced events for many celebrities including Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Stella McCartney, among others. On this site I'll share professional tips, advice, and trade secrets—that anyone can do—in order to add some creative touches to your party or celebration; whatever your budget.
Note: This site contains affiliate links to products. We may recieve a small commission on any sales (at no extra cost to you).
Stuck for inspiration? Check out some of these creative birthday themes for men, including:
A selection of 70th birthday party themes and 'out of the box' party decoration packages for men.
Tips and suggestions for how to make the party as personal as possible.
An alternative to a 70th birthday party; get a group together for an activity or experience.
What man doesn't consider themselves a legend—at least in their own minds! So why not indulge them for one day of the year?
These fabric tapestries, below, available here, are an easy way to create a simple backdrop to a dessert or buffet table. I've arranged the text towards the top of the backdrop to allow space to position a table in front, as in the mock-up image above, but you can click on the blue 'customize' button to reposition the text however you like and change the name and/or colors. I'd suggest hanging a metallic curtain, available here, in the same accent color as the text behind the backdrop to fill an entire wall. I always recommend concentrating the majority of decorations around a buffet / dessert table to create a focal point in the room. Complete the look with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel and a few bunches of helium balloons either side and you won't really need many more decorations. Depending on your color scheme, I think balloons often look best when arranged in groups of three different colors, rather than two, for a softer, less candy-striped feel. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop using a 3ft x 5ft banner like the one below, available here in vertical or horizontal.
Remember: If you use the tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice heading for all the shots.
You can also roll-out the same design across all your other party supplies, such as paper plates, beer and wine bottle labels, and paper napkins. Check out the full range here.
Below are some other products you can apply the design to, such as invitations, guest books, T shirts, and mugs. But you can also transfer the design to over 1,000 different products; everything from stickers and gift tags, to baseball caps and bags. Just click on any of the products in the collection, such as this one here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to resize the design to the best fit for the product.
As you can see from the tapestry example below, you can also change the colors. Finally, although not part of the same collection, I also came accross these The Man, The Myth, The Legend balloons and temporary tattoos, available here, and these cake toppers, available here, that you could also include with your decorations.
If you're looking for something a little more sophisticated, a chic 1920's / Great Gatsby theme never goes out of style—and it's a great opportunity for everyone to dress up smart, drink champagne, and dance on the table (ok that last bit's optional!). There are lots of different Gatsby-style invitations available here, but my personal favorites are these printable ones pictured below. Just buy the digital file here, have it customized with your party details, and the artwork will be sent to you via email. Then just upload it here to have it printed onto invitations and shipped to you. In terms of decor, my advice is to concentrate the majority of your party decorations around a dessert / buffet table in order to create a focal point in the room. You can buy digital files for Gatsby-style backdrops, such as the one below available here, but it can sometimes be difficult to find printers that can print them large enough, so an alternative would be to use one of the fabric tapestries available here. Complete the look with a gold metallic foil curtain, available here, and a black or gold fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel.
Remember: If you use the tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and people can gather in front of it for photos; which will make a nice background/heading for all the shots.
One of the things that typically sets a professionally-planned party apart from everyday 'at home' events is the attention to detail. It's the clever little touches that tie everything together and give it a slick, professional look and feel that will create talking points that guests remember. Often it's just simple things like a welcome sign / banner at the entrance, personalized wine and beer labels, or food tent label cards on a buffet / dessert table that help elevate the party decor and make it feel more special—which is particularly fitting for a milestone birthday celebration. For a Gatsby-theme you can buy these custom party signs as digital files, available here and then upload them here to have them printed as posters. These look great when put in a frame and displayed at the entrance to your party to welcome guests. Also, check out these stylish personalized wine labels, available here, beer bottle labels, available here (along with lots of other cool Gatsby party accessories), and food tent cards, available here, to help you style your party like a pro.
These Gatsby-style printable signs are an easy way to add decorative touches to your party that will re-inforce the theme. Check out the full range here. You can either print these yourself at home, or upload them here to have them professionally printed and shipped to you. I always like to dot these around a party in places that guests will congregate, such as buffet tables, bar areas, cloakrooms, bathrooms etc. These look great in ornate or gold colored frames, which you can sometimes pick up cheaply here. Alternatively, you could display them on bars and buffet tables using freestanding acrylic sign holders, available here.
If you want to give your buffet table a elegant and stylish look but still use disposable party plates, these premium plates and cups look stunning and would work well for a stylish Gatsby theme, check them out here. Update: You can also pick these up here now too. Alternatively, if you're planning a sit-down dinner, these gold-painted lasercut name place cards, available here, are only $5 each and would add a really special touch to each place setting. For a fun party favor, these chocolate cigars can be printed with Gatsby-style labels or customized for any milestone birthday party. Check out all the options here. Once the party's really got going, pull out these 1920's / Gatsby-style photobooth props, available here, to liven up your party photos.
These chic black, gold, and transparent confetti balloons, available here, are the perfect color palate to go with a Gatsby-themed party. Alternatively, check out some of these stylish slogan balloons, such as 'Pop Fizz Clink' here, 'Let's Celebrate' here, or simply 'Cheers', here.
Another fun way to decorate is to use these letter balloons to spell out your own phrases and slogans. You can buy these individually here (be careful about buying these on Amazon as there are lots of bad reviews about the cheap quality where they don't stay inflated). Update: I also came across some more letter balloon options, such as different colors and script style fonts, available here. Alternatively, you can buy the Gatsby-themed phrases shown below as a set, available here, along with these art deco style mylar balloons. Finally, the latex Let's Party Like Gatsby balloons are available here.
George Clooney, Anderson Cooper, Jon Stewart, Harrison Ford, Richard Gere..... if he's feeling a little sensitive about his greying hair, what better way to remind him that he's in pretty good company than by celebrating his 70th birthday with a Silver Fox party theme?
These fabric tapestries, available here, are a quick and easy way to create a backdrop to a dessert or buffet table that will create a focal point for your party decorations. The great thing about this design is that you can easily change the style of hair to resemble the look sported by the birthday boy. Just click on the blue 'customize' button, then select 'icons' on the far left hand side, and type 'hair' into the search box to choose the style you want. As before, I've concentrated the design in the top half of the tapestry to leave space for a table in front, but if you prefer to have the design more centered, just click 'customize', then 'select all' from the 'edit' drop down menu in the top left corner to drag the design to your desired position. You can also change the colours and text according to your preference. Complete the look by hanging a metallic foil curtain, available here in various colors, behind to fill an entire wall, along with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern look, and a few bunches of helium balloons either side . I think balloons often look best when arranged in groups of three different colors, rather than two, for a softer, less candy-striped feel. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop using a 3ft x 5ft banner like the one below, available here.
Remember: If you use the tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice heading for all the shots.
The same design can be applied to a range of party supplies, such as paper plates, napkins, beer and wine bottle labels, to theme the rest of your party. Check out the full range here.
Below are some other products you can apply the design to, such as invitations, guest books, T shirts, party hats, and mugs. But you can also transfer the design to over 1,000 different products; everything from stickers and gift tags, to baseball caps and bags. Just click on any of the products in the collection, such as this one here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to resize the the design to the best fit for the product.
Below are some examples of how you can customize the design to include a beard if sported by the birthday boy. You can check out a collection of products here that features the design below or you can swap out the style of beard for a different one by clicking on the blue 'customize' button, then selecting 'icons' on the far left hand side, and typing 'beard' into the search box to choose the style you want.
There are plenty of guys who'd be more than happy to just celebrate their birthday with a few cold beers, so why not say 'Cheers & Beers to Seventy Years!'. This design (customizable for any age) comes as digital files only, which you can print onto a number of different products. For example, the digital artwork for the invitation pictured below, available here, can be uploaded and printed onto a standard 5" x 7" invitation here. Similarly, the 3' x 5' banner pictured below, available here, can be uploaded and printed here. Check out the full range of printable designs here, then check out compatible products to upload the designs to here (just remember to double check the products are available in the same sizes as the artwork designs before purchasing).
Other printables in the same collection include gift tags, coasters, candy bar wrappers, etc or for a T shirt with a similar design see here.
While not part of the same collection, there are several 'Cheers & Beers to 70 years' fabric tapestries, like the ones pictured below, available here and here that you can use as a backdrop to a dessert or buffet table when decorating. They're not customizable with the birthday boy's name, but they're still a cost effective way to decorate for a party—plus they can double as a photo booth backdrop for taking pics later in the evening. Alternatively, there are two that are customizable for any age; the one with the two models in the picture below, available here, and the brown and orange one, available here. As with the previous themes on this page, I'd suggest hanging a metallic foil curtain behind, available here, to fill an entire wall and using a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern look.
Complete the scene with a few bunches of beer balloons, such as the ones below, either side of the dessert / buffet table. Check out all the options here.
There are lots of other 'Cheers & Beers' themed party products available, from banners, cake toppers, and photobooth props to party cups, plates, and napkins, many of which can be customized for any age. Check out all the options here.
Ok, so now you've decorated your Cheers & Beers party, it's time to move on to the main event: beer tasting! This beer tasting tableware kit, available here, would double as a great 70th birtday gift for a beer lover and can be used to taste different beers at the party. Alternatively, you pick up printable tasting kits and scorecards for a beer tasting here.
Check out my 'Party Food: Beer' Pinterest board here for tips on pairing different beers with cheese, along with some beer-themed party food ideas such as the Beer Mac & Cheese, Bacon Beer Cheese Dip, and Beer Candied Bacon pictured below.
You can even extend the beer theme to the birthday cake with a traditional cake topper, available here, or one of these cool edible beer bottle cake toppers made of sugar, available here with your choice of brand label.
Ok, so he might not be the type of guy that's very fussed about flowers or candy, but these are a couple of cute ideas to add a little wow-factor to your buffet / dessert table display. Check out this tutorial for the Beer Mug o'Blooms, which couldn't be simpler. You just fill a beer mug, available here, with amber colored acrylic rocks, available here, and arrange some white carnations in oasis on top. Alternatively, if he's got a sweet tooth, fill the beer mugs with yellow jelly beans, available in bulk here, then top with some white ones for the foam, available here. Finally, if you're looking for a 70th birthday gift for a beer fan, there are loads of great personalized beer flight sets available here, including this quirky test-tube style one pictured below, available here.
If you want a more convenient alternative to the 'Cheers & Beers' printables above, this 'Beers to You' theme is a good ready-to-ship solution.
This personalized 'Brew Tour' photo backdrop, available here, is an alternative to the fabric tapestries which you can set up next to a bar or buffet / dessert table to use as a focal point for your party decorations. Alternatively, check out the full range of 'Beers to You' party supplies, available here, which includes various banners, both horizontal and vertical, which you can use to decorate. Note that these can be customized for any age.
In addition to banners, there are a number of beer themed table covers, runners, and toppers—customizable for any age and some of which can be personalized with a photo of the birthday boy. If you're going to include a photo, I always think it's more fun to use an old photo from when they were a child that friends might not have seen.
The range also includes beer tasting equipment, such as tasting placemats and beer flight sets, as well as food presentation accessories, such as these tin buckets for snacks, which is a good way to add to the rustic 'no frills' style of a beer tasting.
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If you're looking for a simple yet stylish look for your party, without it being too themed, this out-of-the-box Best Day Ever range is a great option—plus you can customize it with names, photos, and even by changing the colors.
Check out the full range here, which includes invitations and this custom photobooth backdrop, shown below, which would make a great focal point for your decorations. Just line a section of wall with a metallic foil curtain, available here from the same supplier, and position the backdrop in the centre. I'd recommend using either a silver foil curtain or one that matches whichever accent color you choose in the customization phase (shown here in pastel green, which you can change). Alternatively, you could position this double width photobooth backdrop (available here to customize with any age or color) behind a buffet or dessert table to create a display wall that will serve as a focal point. Because the text on this one is higher up, it leaves plenty of space to position a table underneath. Later in the evening, you can clear the table away and use it as a photobooth backdrop to capture pics of all the guests. Alternatively, instead of using a photo backdrop as the focal point, you could also use the 3ft tall 7-0 numbers shown below, available here, as a centrepiece on a dessert or buffet table with the foil curtain behind them.
This design includes options to customize certain products, like banners and plates, with photos of the birthday boy, but remember, you don't have to use a present-day photo. Sometimes, when celebrating a milestone birthday, it's more fun to include an old photo of them as a young boy—especially as some friends probably won't know what he looked like back then. Some products, like the plates, come in packs of 8, so you could even order several packs, each with a different photo of the birthday boy at different stages of his life.
Remember you can also use the 'customize it' button to change the accent color in most of the products in order to fit with your preferred color scheme.
I just love how chic and sophisticated this color scheme is for a man's 70th birthday. The range includes invitations, banners, door signs, centerpiece sticks, cake toppers, party signs, wine and beer labels, and lots more—all of which can be customized for any age. Check out all the options here (see the full product list in right hand column by clicking 'Learn more about this item').
These banners, centerpiece sticks, cake toppers, and wine labels are just a selection of some of the products available.
The range also includes cupcake toppers, garland banners, gift tags, and food tent / name cards.
These centerpiece sticks can be customized for any milestone birthday.
If he's more of a whiskey fan, why not throw him a Jack Daniels themed bash? Update April 2019: Unfortunately, the official looking Jack Daniels wall tapestry below is no longer available—I suspect due to copyright claims—but you can check if it's reappeared here. If not, there are a couple of other options available in the style of the Jack Daniels logo that can be customized with the birthday boy's name and your choice of text. The first, shown below with the large 1987 is available here, and the other two examples are available here. Don't be put off by the example below for a bachelorette weekend, the example next to it for 'Milton's Birthday Celebration' in Louisiana is actually the same design with customized text, so you can see how it can easily be adapted for a 70th birthday party.
Remember: If you use a tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and people can gather in front for photos; which will make a nice backdrop/heading for all the shots.
If you're not too fussed about customizing your backdrop, there are also a couple of other tapestries, such as the ones below, that use a similar style but the text is fixed so can't be presonalized beyond the month/year featured. Click here to see all vintage style wall tapestries.
There are a couple of Jack Daniel's style invitations available, which can be customized with your own text. Just click on either image below for more info. Both are only available as digital files to print yourself, but if you prefer to have them professionally printed you can simply upload the digital file here and have the invitations shipped to you. There are also some Jack Daniel's printable party labels, available here, and various Jack Daniel's style T shirts, available here, that would make a great 70th birthday gift for a whiskey lover.
For more Jack Daniel's decorations, check out balloons here, or this cool pennant banner available here.
These printable signs are cost-effective way to decorate your party. Place them on bars and buffet tables or anywhere guests will congregate, such as cloakrooms and bathrooms. Check out the full range here.
Similarly, there are various printable welcome signs, labels, stickers, and centerpiece sticks that can be customized with the birthday boy's name. Click on the images below to see each one.
There's also a range of customizable plates, cups, napkins, and coaster that, while are shown in these examples for a wedding, can be adapted for a 70th birthday party. Check them out here.
Check out my Jack Daniel's party food Pinterest board here for recipes such as the ones below for Jack Daniel's Mac and Cheese, Jack Daniel's Burgers, Jack Daniel's Glazed Chicken Meatballs, Whiskey Pecans, and lots more.
For a quick fix, there are plenty of Jack Daniel's seasonings, rubs, and sauces available to spice up regular party food—there's even Jack Daniel's chocolates, fudge, coffee, and nuts. Check them out here, or for Jack Daniel's hampers and gourmet gifts see here.
I came accross these cool Jack Daniel's cupcakes online and while I couldn't find the original source or recipe, you could easily create something similar yourself by using these customizable edible frosting sheet toppers, available here, with a shot of Jack Daniels on the side using these pipettes, available here. Alternatively, check out these amazing edible Jack Daniels bottle cake toppers, available here.
So he's turning 70. There's no point trying to hide it. Fly the flag and wear it with pride with this 70 AF party theme.
This design can be applied to a range of different products to kit out your party. To do this, click on one of the products that features the design, such as this T shirt here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once the design has been applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to resize the design to the best fit for the product. Note that I moved the 70 AF nearer to the top of the tapestry to allow space to position a table in front without it obscuring the design.
I'd suggest adding it to a 'tapestry', shown below, to use as a backdrop to a dessert / buffet table, which will create a focal point for your decorations. I'd recommend hanging a metallic silver foil curtain, available here, behind to fill an entire wall. Complete the look with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel and a few bunches of helium balloons either side and you won't really need many more decorations. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop by applying the design to a 'banner' like the 3ft x 5ft one below.
Remember: If you use a tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice background/heading for all the shots.
You can also roll-out the same design across all your other party supplies, such as paper plates, beer and wine bottle labels, and paper napkins. Just follow the instructions above to transfer the design onto any product. It's these simple little touches that tie everything together that will give your party a slick, professional feel—and it's the kind of attention to detail that guests notice.
In addition to party supplies, you can also add the design to some fun 70th birthday gifts, from guest books and T shirts, to baseball caps and mugs. While not part of the same collection, there are also various ' AF' balloons in black, gold, and silver, available here, which would also work well with this party theme.
There's also a similar design, available here, in gold and black. Just follow the same instructions above to transfer it onto different party supplies.
If you go with the gold option there are lots of Old AF party supplies available here, while, while not part of the same collection, would still work well with this theme.
If you're looking for a quick and easy 'out of the box' solution, these Dashingly Aged to Perfection party supplies have a nice vintage feel and feature a masculine wood grain pattern, gray plaid stripes and Kraft paper print. Check out the full range here.
This photo booth backdrop, available here, could also double as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to help create a focal point for your part decorations. Alternatively, hang one of these horizontal banners above the table with this pennant banner swagged accross the front of the table—or vice versa. Check out the banners here.
The range includes lots of other party supplies, such as table runners, drinks straws, cupcake toppers, gift bags, invitations, party hats, photobooth props, and lots more.
Evocative of the Victorian belief in British stoicism, the Keep Calm and Carry On motivational poster producted by the government in 1939 in preparation for World War II has become synonymous around the world for keeping a 'stiff upper lip', exercising self-restraint in the expression of emotion, and remaining calm in the face or adversity. So, what better party theme for someone who might be freaking out about turning 70!
This design can be applied to a range of different products to kit out your party. To do this, click on one of the products that features the design, such as this tapestry here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once the design has been applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to change colors or resize the design to the best fit for the product. Note that I changed the background color to blue (color ref #1B2C65) and moved the text nearer to the top of the tapestry to allow space to position a table in front without it obscuring the design.
I'd suggest using a 'tapestry', available here, (shown below in blue but you can choose any background color) as a backdrop to a dessert / buffet table, which will create a focal point for your decorations. I'd recommend hanging a metallic silver foil curtain, available here, behind to fill an entire wall. Complete the look with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel and a few bunches of helium balloons either side and you won't really need many more decorations. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here that include confetti balloons (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop by applying the design to a 'banner' like the 3ft x 5ft one below.
Remember: If you use a tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice background/heading for all the shots.
You can also roll-out the same design across all your other party supplies, such as paper plates, beer and wine bottle labels, and paper napkins. Just follow the instructions above for transferring the design to other products. It's these simple little touches that tie everything together that will give your party a slick, professional feel—and it's the kind of attention to detail that guests notice.
There's also a number of Keep Calm invitations, available here, which you can customize with your choice of color or text, or you can you transfer the design to a number of 70th birthday gifts, such as guest books, T shirt, mugs, baseball caps, and more.
You could also go all-out with the British theme and serve Gin Tonics, Afternoon Tea (Tea served with delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cakes), Fish & Chips with mushy peas (battered fish with fries wrapped in newspaper, use these newsprint deli wrapper sheets here), sticky toffee pudding, spotted dick, and trifle. Check out traditional British recipes here for more ideas There are also lots of fun British party supplies available here, or check out various British themed printables here.
I came accross this article on Buzzfeed where they threw a lumberjack themed 'Bro-dal' Shower, because apparently those are a thing now(?!), and it gave me the idea for a tongue-in-cheek party theme; The Manliest Man Bash. Think beer, bacon, steak, cigars, whiskey, sports, cars, and more beer—in fact, throw in any sterotypically manly thing you can think of. Because it's done in such a knowingly ironic way, it can be as over-the-top and overtly masculine as you like. Grrrr.
There are a few different lumberjack / beard / mustache party invitations aimed at adults, available here. Unfortunately, the 'Manliest Party Ever' invitation shown below have been discontinued but I've left it here for inspiration because I think it, along with the 'Manly Men Doing Things That Men Do' invitation, available here, both capture the tongue-in-cheek tone you want to aim for.
This customizable plaid tapestry, available here, would make a great backdrop to a dessert / buffet table to give your party decorations a focal point. Alternatively, you could use this 4' wide x 30' long wood-effect decorating paper, available here, to create a backdrop and combine with a plaid tablecover, available here, and maybe a plush animal head, available here, for a bit of fun.
Check out my various Pinterest boards for manly themed bites to serve, in particular Party Food: Beer, Party Food: Jack Daniels, Party Food: Hot & Savory, and Party Food: Stations Hot.
One quick and easy fix for party food is to set up a Chili Bar (check out my Pinterest board Party Food: Hot Food Stations here for more ideas). You can then use these plaid themed pots, available here, as bowls or these plaid themed party supplies, available here. Alternatively, there's even some fun tree trunk themed plates, available here, that would fit well with the lumberjack vibe.
There are lots of printable lumberjack signs and food tent labels, available here, and because you can customize the text you can play up the 'manliest man bash' theme a little more.
Another fun touch is to use these lumberjack (available here) or beard (available here) cake toppers, available here, or these photo-based ones (shown below with a kid's photo, but you can use one of the birthday boy), available here. Finally, stock up a some cheap fake beards, available here, to give out as party favors—or send one out with each of your party invitations to really grab guest's attention.
This Vintage Dude; The Man, The Myth, The Legend is another ready-made solution with a tasteful design if you just want a quick and easy solution.
For general Vintage Dude party supplies, such as plates, napkins, table covers, balloons, and garland banners, check out the range here. However, you can also pick up the full-length photobooth backdrops shown below (customizable for any age), available here, which you could also use as a backdrop to a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, then clear the table away later in the evening to use it as a photobooth backdrop. Alternatively, you can also get smaller banners, such as the red example shown below, from the same supplier. I quite like the way they've displayed this on a wood background; it gives it a rustic, masculine feel, which you can recreate using this wood-effect decorating paper, available here, and a few rustic props, such as tin buckets filled with ice, nuts, old leather books, beer tankards, and wooden crates.
You can also get matching invitations—with or without photos of the birthday boy—available here, along with welcome signs to display at the entrace, available here, or ones that feature facts about the person, here. All of these items can be customized for any age.
This design also includes other party supplies, such as bottle labels, cake toppers, stickers, and gift tags, check them out here, or a matching T shirt, available here, which would make a great 70th birthday gift. While not part of the same collection, these The Man, The Myth, The Legend balloons, would also work well with this design. Check them out here.
I thought this tongue-in-cheek nod to the Black Lives Matter logo was kind of an amusing way to gently poke fun at somone getting older without all the usual 'old as dirt' cliches. So, if the birthday boy has a sense of humor, this theme might be a good fit.
This design can be applied to a range of different products to kit out your party. To do this, click on one of the products that features the design, such as this T shirt here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once the design has been applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to change text or resize the design to the best fit for the product. Note that I moved the text nearer to the top of the tapestry to allow space to position a table in front without it obscuring the design.
I'd suggest adding it to a 'tapestry', shown below, to use as a backdrop to a dessert / buffet table, which will create a focal point for your decorations. I'd recommend hanging a metallic silver foil curtain, available here, behind to fill an entire wall. Complete the look with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel and a few bunches of helium balloons either side and you won't really need many more decorations. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here that include transparent confetti balloons (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop by applying the design to a 'banner' like the 3ft x 5ft one below.
Remember: If you use a tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice background/heading for all the shots.
You can also roll-out the same design across all your other party supplies, such as paper plates, beer and wine bottle labels, and paper napkins. Just follow the instructions above for transferring the design to other products. It's these simple little touches that tie everything together that will give your party a slick, professional feel—and it's the kind of attention to detail that guests notice.
In addition to party supplies, you can also add the design to some fun 70th birthday gifts, from guest books and T shirts, to baseball caps and mugs.
This supplier has an excellent range of tasteful designs—in numerous color schemes and patterns—all of which can be customized for any age birthday. Products include invitations, welcome signs, banners, centerpiece sticks, cake toppers, party signs, straw flags, wine / water labels, cups, food tent, favor tags, customized menus, napkin wraps, thank you notes, and more. Check out the full range here.
The same party designer also has a range of products that use a chic black and gold theme, which again, can be customized for any age. Check out the full range here.
I particularly like this blue and black collection, available here , and this navy and gray collection, available here from the same designer, both of which can be customized for any age.
I'm not typically a big fan of jokey milestone birthday themes, like '70 rocks' and '70 sucks', but I do like the way they've given this 70 Rocks theme a more stylish and sophisticated look with the guitar motif. Check it out here, along with some other red and black designs, available here. Like all the other designs, this can be customized for any age.
You can also request this theme in different colors, such as the examples below.
This Rhythm and Brews design is a cute idea for a lover of music and beer, and I particularly like the unusual color palette. Again, it can be customized for any age. Check it out here. Update: This design doesn't seem to be featured in their store anymore, but you can just message them and request a custom listing for whichever items you want in this design.
This design is perfect if you're just doing something casual to celebrate—like a BBQ—but you still want to tie everything together to make it feel more special than an everyday cook-out. Like all the other examples, it can be customized for any age. Check it out here. Update: This design doesn't seem to be featured in their store anymore, but you can just message them and request a custom listing for whichever items you want in this design.
For golf lovers of any age, the same designer also has this cute collection available. Check it out here.
One of the things I always recommend with milestone birthdays is to focus on celebrating the person, not just their age. So when I came across these photos of a 60th birthday party, below left, where they'd created a 'Through the Years' style backdrop using photos of the person at different stages of her life, I thought this could make a lovely theme for any milestone birthday celebration. You can create something similar using these photo collage-style tapestries, as you can see in the mock up I created below 'Celebrating Eighty'. You can customize the tapestry with your own text and colors—and even remove the bottom row of images if you want to position a buffet / dessert table in front (although I would keep all the photos and just hang it higher). There are other photo collage tapestries available that you could also customize, such as the example below that I customized with the text 'Cheers to 40 years'. Check out all the options here.
Another way to decorate larger areas is to use these custom photo banners to create a 'Through the Years' collage using pictures of the birthday boy or girl at various stages of their life. The 'Jim's 60th Birthday' example below left is a mock up I created using this template, available here, which is available in lots of different sizes. Just click on the 'Customize It' option to upload your photos and change the text and colors.
Alternatively, there's a larger range of different photo banners, such as the others featured below, available here, or click on any of the photos below to see that particular design. Note: These banners are available in different sizes and some were originally for graduations but I just clicked on the "personalize" option, scrolled down to the bottom of the list of photos, and selected "click to customize further" to change the text and colors.
These custom photo collage paper plates are a great way to create really personal 'Through the Years' style party supplies by uploading photos of the birthday boy at different stages of their life. They're also far more special than the regular store-bought 70th birthday party supplies emblazoned with 3-0. There are a number of different designs available, depending on how many photos you want to include, and you can just use the 'Personalize' to change colors, fonts, and text. Check out all the options here.
You can also buy these 'Through the Years' photo centerpieces, which can also be used in vases to decorate a buffet / dessert table or as centerpieces. Check them out here.
These photo yard signs would make a great entrance to a 70th birthday party. Although the example photos below were for a graduation party, you could easily use these to celebrate the birthday boy 'through the years'. It's always fun to see old photos of loved ones when they were younger—that perhaps many of their friends have never seen before. Just use the 'customize it' tool to change the text and colors to whatever you want, as I have with the mock up below showing the different stages of someone's life. They come as either a set of 6 or 15, with the set of 6 only $30 so it's a pretty inexpensive way to create a big first impression as guests arrive. Check them out here.
If the birthday boy has a sense of humor, this is another unusal party theme, which you can customize as either 'Straight Outta My Sixties' or 'Straight Outta The 40's'.
This design can be applied to a range of different products to kit out your party. To do this, click on one of the products that features the design, such as this T shirt here, scroll down to 'Transfer this design onto another product' and click on 'View All Products'. Once the design has been applied to your chosen product, you might then need to use the blue 'customize' button to change text or resize the design to the best fit for the product. Note that I moved the text nearer to the top of the tapestry to allow space to position a table in front without it obscuring the design.
I'd suggest adding it to a 'tapestry', shown below, to use as a backdrop to a dessert / buffet table, which will create a focal point for your decorations. I'd recommend hanging a metallic silver foil curtain, available here, behind to fill an entire wall. Complete the look with a fitted table cover, available here, for a clean, modern feel and a few bunches of helium balloons either side and you won't really need many more decorations. You can buy them by color here, along with balloon weights and helium tanks, or check out some of the three-color balloon bouqets available here that include transparent confetti balloons (just browse individual seller's stores for your desired color bouquet). Alternatively, if you're on a tighter budget, you can create a smaller backdrop by applying the design to a 'banner' like the 3ft x 5ft one below.
Remember: If you use a tapestry as a backdrop for a dessert / buffet table to create a focal point for your decorations, it can also double as a photo booth backdrop later on in the evening. Just move the table out of the way once people are done eating and there's enough blank space under the design for people to gather for photos; which will make a nice background/heading for all the shots.
You can also roll-out the same design across all your other party supplies, such as paper plates, beer and wine bottle labels, and paper napkins. Just follow the instructions above for transferring the design to other products. It's these simple little touches that tie everything together that will give your party a slick, professional feel—and it's the kind of attention to detail that guests notice.
In addition to party supplies, you can also add the design to some fun 70th birthday gifts, from guest books and T shirts, to baseball caps and mugs. While not part of the same collection, you can also get these Straight Outta balloon sets for any year, available here, which would also work well with this theme.
While this page deals with 70th birthday party themes for men, you can also check out my main page of 70th birthday party ideas here (for men and women!) which contains lots of creative ideas—including party themes, countdown ideas, invitations, food & drink, decorations, gifts, and ways to include memories, surprises, and thoughtful ideas to make them feel special on the day.
Decoration ideas on the main 70th birthday party page include custom photo fan faces of the birthday boy or girl, custom pinatas, photo garland banners, and life size cut outs.
Food and drink ideas on the main page include custom photo cupcake toppers, custom photo M&M's, custom cookies, and personalized beer and wine labels.
Not everyone wants to celebrate their 70th birthday with a traditional party. Many people prefer to get a bunch of friends and/or family together for some sort of group activity. Just going out for dinner isn't special enough for a 70th birthday, so instead plan something a bit more adventurous or out of the ordinary.
When I'm buying someone a birthday gift, I try to choose something that they wouldn't ordinarily buy for themselves—so that it feels more like a treat or indulgence. I suggest taking the same approach when choosing a group activity to celebrate their birthday. Plan something you think they'll enjoy, but is not something they do often (or have ever done before!). This will create unique memories associated with their milestone birthday!
So check out some of the more creative and unusual group activties and experiences below that lend themselves to a 70th birthday celebration for men.
For fun-loving big kids (aren't most men?!), there are lots of theatrical and immersive group experiences, games, and challenges which would make for a truely unique and memorable 70th birthday activity. 'Doing stuff' together as a part of a group—rather than just standing around drinking and making small talk—always raises everyone's spirits. It allows people to bond with each other over a shared experience and generally ensures that they all 'let go' and get stuck in.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the fun & games category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
So many 70th birthday celebrations just fall back on the same old boring idea of booking a table a fancy restaurant for a group dinner. Snore! Instead, if the birthday boy is a foodie, get a group of friends together to try something a little more creative—something you wouldn't just do any night of the week. Believe me, you're guests will thank you. No one gets that excited by yet another big birthday dinner (at that restaurant you just went to last week). Plus, a lot of these experiences allow for more socializing, so your guests are not just stuck at a dinner table chatting to the same two people all evening!
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the food & drink category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
These outdoor and adrenaline activities are a great way to induldge in something completely different. No one is going to roll their eyes and think 'urgh, not again' with one of these group activities.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the outdoor & adrenaline category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
Tours are a great way to keep a group entertained; as you move from stop to stop, everyone is constantly stimulated by new things to see, taste, or learn about. Often, these tours operate in your own town, but they're the type of activities that local residents just never get around to trying—so a birthday celebration is a great excuse.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the tours category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
The learn & discovering category is all about trying someting that you've never done before—and probably wouldn't have if someone hadn't organised it for you! Some of these are pretty 'out there' unique experiences (train to be an action hero!), while others offer an introduction to a hobby or activity the birthday boy might have expressed an interest in—but never actually gotten around to doing. So make it happen for them!
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the learn & discovery category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
Men love to drive stuff. It's that simple. Especially if it goes really fast and/or they can't afford to buy one themelves. And if it fulfills a secret fantasy and lets them pretend to be someone else for a day (race car driver / stunt man / spy) then even better.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the drive category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
For non boy-racers, the fly category offers a more gentle experience for groups to see and explore, plus they're often combined with other things such as wine tastings, jeep tours, and dining. If you are holding a more traditional group dinner at a restaurant, why not start off by taking everyone for champagne in a hot air ballon or helicopter beforehand—it's any easy way to make the occasion more special and memorable.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the fly category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
Fortunately, water activities range from the extreme and immersive (cage diving with great white sharks) to the more leisurely and relaxed (lobster and beer sail), so there's something for pretty much everyone.
Some of the 70th birthday ideas for men in the water category, that are suitable for groups, include:
Unfortunately, not all activities are available in every city, but to check availability in your area and to book places, click on the link above. These are just a small selection so if you can't find a particular activity in your area, you might discover some new ones.
Check out my other page of 70th Birthday Ideas (for men and women) for more tips and suggestions including party themes, countdown ideas, invitations, food & drink, decorations, gifts, and ways to include memories, surprises, and thoughtful ideas to make them feel special on the day.
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Many thanks
Matt
Matt James is a professional event planner and owner of event agency Left Field Productions, which has produced events for Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kevin Spacey, Stella McCartney, David LaChapelle, John Waters, and Elvis Costello & Diana Krall. Since 2004, Left Field Productions has won 30 industry awards for excellence including Production Company of the Year.
70th Birthday Ideas for Men
by an award-winning professional party planner