Golden birthday invitations and party hats

We’re always looking for new ways to celebrate life’s special moments, and a golden birthday is certainly one of them! Also known as a champagne birthday, a golden birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime event. The term refers to the birthday when your age matches the day you were born. For example, if your birthdate is the 28th of the month, your golden birthday would be your 28th birthday. 

The event dates back to the 1950s when Joan Bramsch celebrated all of her five children’s golden birthdays. But if you already missed your or your kids’ golden birthdays, you can celebrate a double golden birthday — or triple! To do this, just multiply your birthday by two (when you turn 30 on the 15th, for example). A triple golden birthday is fantastic for people born early in the month — like someone whose birthday is the 8th and who turns 24 on the 24th.

Now that you have all that handled, it’s time to celebrate your golden birthday or honor the special day for a friend or family member. Here are some of our favorite ideas for celebrating this milestone moment.

How to Throw an Unforgettable Golden Birthday Celebration 

Golden birthday: women throwing confetti in the air

A golden birthday party is a fun way to celebrate an extra special birthday. You can go all-out and rent a venue, hire caterers, and throw a huge party. Or you can keep things simpler and more affordable but still extra special by doing some of the work yourself. Here are some tips when it comes to decorations, food, and party games for celebrating a golden birthday.

Decorations 

When it comes to golden birthday decor, gold reigns supreme. Look for gold balloons, gold stars, and shimmering confetti. Don’t forget to include metallic accents in your tableware when selecting party supplies. A black tablecloth serves as the perfect backdrop for the glittering gold decor while gold polka dot napkins add a glamorous touch.

In addition to classic gold decorations, large centerpieces and entryway backdrops can make the event feel bigger and better. Greet guests with a red carpet and a large balloon arch made with metallic balloons and hire a photographer to snap photos as guests arrive.

A gold disco ball makes a stunning centerpiece for the dance floor. Gold mylar balloons featuring the birthday numbers also fit the bill. For table centerpieces, combine luxe white feathers with gold-dusted greenery, and flowers in the birthday girl or boy’s favorite colors.

Food and Refreshments

Treat your guests to delicious bites that match the party theme. Some fun golden birthday party snacks include Goldfish crackers, Golden Oreos, and Rold Gold pretzels. Look for foods that have gold packaging — like Ferrero Rocher chocolates. For a fancier approach, serve pastries infused with real edible gold. Guests can take home mini baskets filled with these treats as party favors as well. You’ll also want to serve champagne to toast the honoree (or at least some sparkling cider) for this special champagne birthday.

Your birthday cake topper can also double as party food and event decor. Set a gold crown atop a decadent chocolate cake or opt for a cupcake tower with several flavors and gold circle toppers featuring a photo of the birthday honoree. Serve food on gold paper plates and drinks in gold plastic cups to match your theme.

Golden Birthday Gift Ideas

A piece of solid gold or vermeil jewelry is a lovely birthday gift that’s on theme. Or for a fun spin on the “18-karat” or “24-karat” idea, wrap up 18 or 24 mini presents to honor the moment. These can include things like hair accessories, makeup and stationery items, socks, self-care products, or other thoughtful tokens.

A basket of treats featuring the same number of items to match a golden birthday also works well. You can also order T-shirts featuring the golden birthday year or a favorite sports athlete’s jersey number to match the year.

11 Golden Birthday Invitations and Cards 

Golden birthday: woman blowing out candles on a birthday cake

Looking for ways to wish someone a happy golden birthday or invite friends and family to a special celebration? Look to Greenvelope for stunning digital invitations and birthday cards to match any themed party. 

You’ll find hundreds of options from glitzy gold designs to photo cards where you can feature your favorite snapshot. Each design is completely customizable — you can even add music and wax seals or change the typography and color palette to suit your party. Here are some of our favorite golden birthday invitations and cards you can use to send birthday wishes or invite guests to your scintillating bash.

1. Bokeh Masquerade Invitation

Golden birthday: Bokeh Masquerade Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Celebrate the lucky birthday boy or girl with this festive invite. It features fancy gold foil confetti and a dramatically dark background, making it ideal for more formal affairs.

2. Toast Invitation

Golden birthday: Toast Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

This glittering invite is perfect for celebrating a milestone event. It’s available in several colorways including rose gold, gold, and silver palettes. Use It for a golden birthday, a 30th birthday, or a 60th birthday celebration. 

3. Foil Marble Invitation

Golden birthday: Foil Marble Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

This nature-inspired invite features a marble background with gold foil accents. Elegant and classic, it’s well-suited for weddings, milestone birthdays, and formal galas.

4. Shimmery Surprise Invitation

Golden birthday: Shimmery Surprise Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Invite friends and family for a happy birthday celebration with this shimmery invitation. The modern text and glittering stripes add glamor and sophistication to any event.

5. Minimal Martini Invitation

Minimal Martini Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Have some fun with this golden martini invite. It’s excellent for 21+ golden birthdays and perfect for cocktail parties, bridal showers, and more.

6. Golden Age Invitation

Golden Age Invitation

Design: Stellax Creative

Celebrate your golden age with this colorful invitation. Use it to celebrate the double golden birthday of someone who was born on the 20th — a 40th birthday party event — or a regular golden birthday.

7. Birthday Festoons Invitation

Birthday Festoons Invitation

Design: Clementine Creative

This glamorous invite is ideal for celebrating a milestone birthday like a golden birthday, 21st birthday, or 50th birthday. The gold foil invite features bold font and lots of text space so you can include all the important event details.

8. Golden Anchor Invitation

Golden Anchor Invitation

Design: Claudia Owen

Hosting a nautical-themed golden birthday party? This anchor invite is the perfect pairing. It features a gold anchor and curved border along with a blue-striped envelope to match. 

9. Happy Paint Speckles Card

Happy Paint Speckles Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

This paint-splatter birthday card makes the perfect digital keepsake. The front is fun and colorful while the supported backside offers plenty of room to write sweet birthday wishes.

10. Birthday Bestie Card

Birthday Bestie Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Wish your bestie a happy birthday with this delightful photo card. Upload a snap of one of your favorite moments together and send sweet wishes for a fabulous year and birthday celebration underneath. 

11. Trendy Type Card

Trendy Type Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

It’s time to eat cake and celebrate! With this gold birthday card, the birthday honoree is sure to smile from ear to ear. Choose your favorite photo and write a quick birthday message on the front.

Celebrate a Golden Birthday in Style

With these golden birthday party ideas and invitations, you’re sure to have a dazzling fete. From DIY decor to fully catered events, there are many ways to celebrate a golden birthday. Plus, with Greenvelope, there’s no shortage of dazzling birthday cards and invitations to match the gold theme.

Looking for more ways to celebrate life’s big (and little) moments? Continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find everything from unforgettable birthday party themes to birthday party ideas teens will love.