I would just like to explain the reason we decided to write the word Grown Ups in inverted comma's. It is simply because the majority of us are still children at heart. Ok, maybe we have jobs, driving licenses, responsibilities and wrinkles, even children of our own, but that doesn't mean that we don't like a good party!!



First things first; what does the Birthday person like to do? If you are organizing a bash for your Gran's 90th, a Bucking Bronco may not be the top of her entertainment wish list, however watching a close up Magician, having her caricature drawn or swooning over a Rod Stewart look-a-like may be more to her liking.

Murder Mystery Nights, Race Evenings or a Casino Night are usually brilliantly organized events, and enable everyone to don their glad-rags and mingle with other people. Music is always a good way to get your guests smiling and socializing, and the choices offered are limitless; from good old Discos or Karaoke through to the more sophisticated Pipers and Harpists. You could let your choice of music flow into the theme and atmosphere of your evening, for example, by having a Country & Western Band playing and asking your guests to dress appropriately for an evening of ?boot-scooting?. For real die-hard music lovers, there are some fabulous tribute bands about, or bands who chose to only play music from a specific generation. Personally, I don't know many people who have turned down an invite to a 70's party..... any excuse to wear a wig, paisley waistcoat and flares.

Obviously, at any ?Grown Up? Party, there must be a constant supply of cool beverages; and don't forget soft drinks for the designated drivers and under 18's. If your venue doesn't have a Bar, Mobile Bars could be your answer. Some Caterers will include beverages as part of their package, always ask for a breakdown of their quotation. Will they provide table linens and crockery, or is your venue primed to supply these items, or do you need to source them separately? If your venue is a Restaurant or Hotel, will they charge a corkage fee if you choose to supply your own bubbly? If you are using a Hotel or Function Rooms in a Conference Centre as your venue, can they offer a special discount on rooms for your Guests? It is always worth asking!

Birthday Presents for ?Grown Up? Boys and ?Grown Up? Girls can be difficult to choose. After all, as an adult, they can usually buy what they want/need thus giving the unanswerable question of "What do we give to the person who has everything?". Small novelties and jokes are always fun to exchange, and there are many such novelties in the strictly adult only 18+ gift section. One idea is to club together with friends, or if indeed you are the birthday person, to ask your friends to club together to buy a Day Out - such as 4x4 driving, a paint-balling, a spa pamper day, or indeed no gifts at all but instead a charity donation. Oxfam, www.oxfamunwrapped.com, have a brilliant site where you can buy a goat, donkey, safe water or a toilet for those in need.

You may want to show a slide show of home photographs ?through the ages?, and thus need relevant projectors etc.... You may wish to permanently record the event for future bribery or even to view at a later date, in which case you may wish to search for a photographer or videographer..... One thing that people do tend to overlook is the morning after. It's never a good idea to be hovering and sweeping with a hangover, book someone else to take care of the cleaning for you!

Why not end the evening with a bang - firework displays are simply stunning and unforgettable, or for those with noise limitations, a laser show can be equally as effective. Don't forget the little extra's you may want as keepsakes...for example printed t-shirts depicting the face of the Birthday Celebrity.... And don't forget Thank You notes!

If all else fails, and you feel completely overwhelmed by the options that are laid out in front of you, take the easy road............. Hire a Party Planner!