6 Steps to Throwing an Easy — and Unforgettable — Birthday Dinner Party

Hosting a birthday dinner party at home is a great way to show a loved one how much you care. While entertaining friends and family can be incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, hosting can also be a bit stressful, especially if it's an extra special occasion such as a milestone birthday.  

I recently celebrated my mother-in-law’s birthday, and I must admit I felt a little overwhelmed having to plan all the décor and food options for the big night. Then I realized the most important things were to have fun and enjoy the company — and to make sure my mother-in-law felt honored with a gorgeous spread.  

With that in mind, here are some tips for hosting an elegant birthday dinner party without the stress. 

Prepare early 

Invite your guests at least two weeks in advance. Make sure to pin down those “maybe” responses and check on dietary restrictions so you know how many guests you need to prepare for and if you need to make any extra accommodations. Check that you have enough dishware to go around and order any supplies you may need ahead of time.  

If ordering products online, confirm shipping dates so that everything arrives in time for the party. If you need to pick anything up, get it the day before. It’s a good idea to do the deep cleaning the night before too, especially in areas where guests will be congregating. Doing these the day before will save time and reduce stress on the day of the event. 

Set the mood with a well-themed table  

Creating a tablescape makes an at-home birthday feel just a bit more special. You don’t have to go crazy: an elegant, blush-toned palette with floral details will set a sophisticated and luxurious mood. Flowers are a great centerpiece, or you could even use succulents (which can double as a gift after the night ends!).  

My mother-in-law loves bunnies and florals, so for the birthday party I threw her, I picked up some porcelain bunnies and cute succulent plants to decorate. I also used pink and purple roses for accents, and set it all on a white tablecloth. It created a lively spring atmosphere!  

Coordinate a playlist  

Make sure the playlist matches the mood for the night. Choose low-tempo, mellow tunes so the music doesn’t interrupt the conversations. My go-to playlists are well-curated blends of contemporary and soulful tracks perfect for background ambiance. If you’re feeling especially creative, try building your own playlist consisting of your guest of honor’s favorite songs. 

Keep the food simple  

To keep our night stress-free, we had the dinner catered. Instead of leaving the cooking to yourself, try Harry & David’s Tortellini with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. Pair it with a fresh side or radish salad for a well-rounded offering.  

For after dinner, a cheesecake party wheel lets your guests enjoy four varieties of a classic dessert. My mother-in-law loves cheesecake and enjoyed the chance to try multiple flavors.  

To snack on either before or after dinner, set out strawberries and other fresh fruit. Harry & David’s strawberries are field ripened and hand-picked, serving as a perfect complement to the warmer weather. 

Consider wine and food pairings 

Wine is a classy touch for birthdays and is easy to pair with most food options (and it allows for toasts!). Harry & David’s wine merchant, Ellen Sorensen, suggests pairing the tortellini with chardonnay, and the salad and fruit with sauvignon blanc. Sparkling wine is the perfect match for the cheesecake dessert, since “the bubbles will cut through the richness,” Sorensen says. 

Not everyone drinks the same thing, though. Offering a few wine options, along with some non-alcoholic choices like sparkling juices or creative mocktails, shows that you’ve gone the extra mile in customizing the night. 

Plan after-dinner activities 

Even though so much work is put into it, dinner only takes about 30 minutes. Once everyone’s finished, leave the plates and suggest moving to a new room.  

Since the weather was nice for my mother-in-law’s birthday dinner, we took the party outside to the patio, where we played cards and entertained the dogs. At your party, suggest playing a board game, singing karaoke, or going on a walk through your neighborhood.