Decorating for an Adult Bday Party

How much decorating do you actually do for an adult birthday party? I at kids’ parties, there are plenty of themed decorations. However, I don’t usually see too much at adult parties. Maybe some matching tablecloths and fun plastic plates/napkins. Otherwise, it’s usually pretty bare.

Is that typical, or just typical for my circle of friends? Do you celebrate with a ton of decorations at an adult party?

I’ve found that most people don’t think much about decorating when it comes to adult birthday parties.  If it’s a special birthday, like the 21st, 30th, 40th or 50th, I can see having some plates and balloons with the number printed on them.

Beyond those numbered decorations, I imagine the major exception is for parties that have a very definite theme, such as a luau.  It wouldn’t be much of a theme if you didn’t put up some fake palm trees and honeycomb cardboard pineapple centerpieces in that case.

I center my “decorations” around the food table at an adult party. I use a colored tablecloth or piece of fabric to provide a colorful starting point for the table. I’ve been known to use soft scarves over a solid colored table cloth for “girlie” parties and team colors for a football gathering. I always have a centerpiece of some type - usually simple flowers or a gathering of white candles for an evening party. I use solid color dishes - usually inexpensive white plates and platters which I buy at the dollar store just for party purposes - so that the food can be the prime focus.