How to Throw a 50th Birthday Party He’ll Actually Love (Food, Drinks & Decor Inspiration)

Dan’s 50th Birthday: the Vestival

When you’ve been married as long as I have, you learn that some people are harder to throw a party for than others. My husband, Dan, is one of those people. He doesn’t love the spotlight, he isn’t into elaborate themes, and yet he deserves to be celebrated in a big way. So when I started brainstorming his 50th birthday, I decided to lean completely into what HE loves most.

And if you know Dan, you know he practically lives in a vest. Always in a vest, usually Vuori. Which made the theme practically write itself: I’d throw him a VESTIVAL.

The Theme & Branding

I treated this party like its own mini music festival, only with Dan as the headliner. I designed a custom logo using his favorite colors and printed “festival poster” style signage to hang around the backyard. The dress code? Come in your best vest. Guests totally delivered, from puffer vests to denim vests to vintage fishing vests. It was hilarious and perfectly on brand for him.

Party tip: A themed dress code is an instant ice breaker, it sets the tone and gives everyone something fun to talk about right away.

Food & Drinks

Dan is happiest with tacos, so I found an incredible mother daughter company that set up an authentic taco and quesadilla bar right in our courtyard. It was a hit, people went back for seconds (and thirds).

For dessert, I surprised him with his all-time favorite: a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck. Guests could choose from a variety of their iconic flavors, and mix & match if they wanted. I also baked a spread of his favorite bakery treats from peanut butter crispy cubes, almond shortbread cookies, brownies, sugar cookies shaped like “50″, plus an order of his beloved Nothing Bundt Cakes.

At the bar, Wandering Taps worked their magic as always. They’re my go-to mobile bartenders and never disappoint. I created a menu of themed drinks, like the DanHattan, Mortgage Mule, and the Kellerita. Not only did it keep the theme going, but it made ordering a drink more fun.

Party tip: Signature cocktails are one of the easiest ways to tie your theme together and make guests feel like they’re at a special event.

Decor & Atmosphere

I kept décor simple, focusing on a blue color palette that felt masculine but still celebratory. I added pillows to outdoor furniture, hung our Vestival posters around the party, and created one major centerpiece: a massive vintage marquee theater sign from Wordsmith that read “Happy 50th Birthday Dan, Vest Fest, Since 1975.”

My friend Cindy from The Disco Edit transformed the sign into a true showstopper with her gigantic balloon garland. And her husband took over DJ duties for the night, keeping the energy high well into the evening.

Party tip: Don’t feel like you have to decorate every square inch, one big “wow moment” décor piece can carry the whole party.

The Merch Booth

My absolute favorite part of the Vestival? The merch booth. I knew it would be a hit because Dan STILL wears Ally’s 16th birthday sweatshirt years later. So I went all in and created custom merch for his big day, tees, hats, hoodies, tote bags, posters, even stickers. I set it up just like a booth at a concert. Guests loved grabbing a piece of Vest Fest to take home.

Party tip: Party favors don’t have to be throw aways. Create something people will actually want to keep and use, and it becomes a memory that lasts way beyond the night.

By the end of the night, with everyone in their vests, plates piled high with tacos, dessert and ice cream, under the glow of the marquee, it was clear a Vestival fit Dan perfectly. It felt fun, relaxed, and completely true to him, which is exactly what I hoped for. So if you’re ever planning a milestone party for someone hard to surprise, start with what they love most. Build around that, add in a little humor, and don’t forget the merch!

Party Photos: Brit Solie

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