Dim Sum Birthday Party Theme Around Chinese New Year

A dim sum birthday party is a great way to celebrate a birthday that falls around Chinese New Year (typically January/February).  Though a dim sum theme can be a blast any time of the year.  At a dim sum birthday party, you can enjoy a dizzying array of dishes, served tapas style.  Selections range from steamed dumplings and bbq pork buns, to fried shrimp balls, chicken wings, noodles and custard.    Dishes can be passed at the table or presented as a casual buffet.  If the number of dim sum dishes is daunting for you to prepare, you can easily cater a fabulous dim sum meal and spend more time enjoying yourself.  Remember to order personalized fortune cookies for dessert and offer party favors in fun, colorful Chinese takeout containers.

Flower decor is perfect for a dim sum birthday party as each type of flower has different symbolism in Chinese cultures.  For example, plum blossoms represent courage and hope, indicating rebirth and the beginning of a new spring.  Be sure to have stacks of tangerines, oranges and kumquats as they represent good luck.

Dim sum is most commonly served midday with tea, but an evening dim sum birthday party with the addition of cocktails or a nice lager would be delicious as well.

We tend to think of a dim sum birthday party as an event for adults, but the finger foods would be enjoyed by kids as well.

Destination Birthday Party Location Ideas: Celebrate With a Getaway

Destination birthday parties have become very popular, especially for milestone birthdays like 30th, 40th and 50th.  For a destination party, guests typically pay their own travel, rather than giving a gift.  Guests spend a festive birthday vacation together for an intimate and unforgettable celebration.

Budget and location figure prominently in searching for a destination birthday party location.  In the midwest and eastern United States, long weekend trips to the Caribbean are popular.  There are direct flights, minimal time change if any, and a great selection of hotels and resorts that are perfect for this type of event. Popular options include the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Similarly, Mexico is a wonderful destination where the scenery is beautiful and accommodations often run less than in the United States.  Whether you’re looking for relaxation on the beach, or experiencing fascinating cultures, Mexico offers anything you could want.  Check out places like Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Merida and Mexico City, all of which have direct flights from the United States.

Las Vegas, Nevada has always been a destination party hotspot, and offers lots of great deals on flights and hotels.  However, if it’s been visited by most of your guests, or they aren’t interested in gambling, there are plenty of other options.

What about renting a fabulous house in a gorgeous location for the week or weekend?  Arrange for a luxurious home with maid service and a chef and enough bedrooms for all of your guests.  With lots of room to spread out, you can enjoy eachother’s company in a laid back environment.

Finally, as they say, “getting there is half the fun.”  Another low-stress option is a long weekend or weeklong cruise.  Guests enjoy the amenities of the boat, stopping at a few destinations.  It’s a hassle free, all-in-one option where you can often negotiate a group discount for your party.

Another lovely and reasonably priced option are off-season destinations.  For example, ski resorts offer beautiful landscapes and reduced rates during the summer months.  Look into places like Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Beaver Creek, Colorado, or Taos, New Mexico for stunning scenery, better deals and fewer crowds than you’d find during ski season.

Celebrities Celebrate 50th Birthday With Simon Cowell

You’d expect nothing less from this celebrity-filled 50th birthday party that took place this weekend for Simon Cowell.  Maybe there are a few ideas you’d like to replicate for a 50th birthday!

In case you couldn’t make it, you missed seeing Naomi Campbell, Ozzy Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, Kate Moss and Ryan Seacrist.

As guests entered, there was a 60ft projection of Cowell’s image.

“The Cowell-fest didn’t end there; the Daily Mail reports that waiters wore Simon Cowell masks, specially-designed wallpaper featured Simon’s face and even the food featured his initials.

Guests were treated to a distinctly retro meal of alphabet spaghetti – spelling out Simon, naturally – and Shepherd’s Pie where the mash was piped into ‘S’ and ‘C’. Only the fishfingers escaped unscathed.

But it seems all the guests had a great time, with many calling it a night past 3am.”

Stars come out for Simon Cowell’s 50th Birthday

50th Birthday Party Car, Nascar Auto Lover Theme

Another fun birthday theme (and one we’re frankly, pretty unfamiliar with) is having an automobile-related birthday.  This would be a fabulous concept for a milestone birthday such as a fiftieth.  It could involve renting a specialty automobile for a weekend, car-themed gifts such as subscriptions or collectibles, a trip to the racetrack, racecar driving lessons,  or another activity for the 50-year old car lover.

For additional inspiration, check out this sweet 1959 Porsche cake for the car-loving, 50 year old Porsche owner.

SweetThings: 50th Birthday Party: 1959 Porsche Cake.

Sports Themed 70th Golf Birthday Cake

The Pink Cake Box website showcases their stunning cakes and pastries for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations.  We loved this sports-themed birthday cake reflecting the recipient’s love for golf, Florida and the New York Giants.  It’s incredible the ‘wow factor’ a thoughtful, creative cake like this can have at a birthday celebration.

A description:

“I love the salmon atop this topsy turvy birthday cake decked out with a Hawaiian shirt and golf club.  The cake includes other mementos for the birthday boy including two sports pennants and the wall st. journal.  The flavors include chocolate cake with mocha buttercream, and vanilla cake with chocolate buttercream. “

Sports Themed 70th Birthday Cake » Pink Cake Box Wedding Cakes & more.