Why is 70th birthday important?

Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. was in private practice for more than thirty years. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states ...Read More

As the title of this article implies, I am about to celebrate my 70th birthday. It has given me time to pause and reflect about what this really means. While there is available information on the positive aspects of aging they are far outweighed by the negative. In doing a Google search on the topic of aging I discovered that most articles dwell on issues of sickness, death and grieving. Is this what aging is really about? Not necessarily. So, what are my observations about entering my seventh decade?

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2. Play games
3. Turn up the music
5. Make it a costume party
7. Party with an open bar
8. Host a toast and/or roast
Bonus: a professional photoshoot
Peerspace brings 70th birthday party ideas to life
Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace

For one thing I do not think of nor consider myself as “old.” Being in good physical health, I believe, has a lot to do with feeling youthful. Whatever aging is supposed to mean, I feel much the same as I always have. Perhaps that is why this birthday comes as a surprise. I’m 70? No, how can that be? I don’t feel 70! Errh, how is 70 supposed to feel? I am somewhat surprised that my daughters are adults who have their own private lives. How did that happen? I am even a grandfather! Yet, I don’t feel like an “old codger” grandfather. If anything, my wife and I are happy to let our children deal with the difficult aspects of child rearing. In that area, our work is done. It’s true what they say. We can enjoy the best part of the grandchildren and then go home feeling very relaxed. I do remember that when our kids were small, my parents would visit and then go home, leaving the task of dealing with sore throats and fevers and temper tantrums to us.

As I have aged I have discovered a well spring of wisdom and experience that have made me a much better psychotherapist. In working with young adults as individuals or as couples, I find it easier to relate to their experiences because I have been there. I can even relate to their parents and what they are reported to be experiencing in coping with their adult children. I have also learned the art of being very patient with my patients. I am better able to bring to bear on patients all of my knowledge and life experience. In fact, I have noticed that my thinking is much clearer than it used to be. In the same way, all of this background has made me more self confident even when I am dealing with difficult cases.

The stereotype of people who are aging is that they become more rigid and less flexible in their opinions and attitudes. Speaking for myself, it’s become easier to admit to mistakes when relating to family, friends and patients. If the saying goes that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” this old dog is even more opening to learning than when I was younger. Perhaps that is due to feeling more comfortable with learning. The need to learn is no longer fraught with anxiety. In other words, learning no longer implies weakness or lack of knowledge as though not knowing something is weakness. I can admit that I need and want to know something. Ego and pride are no longer associated with “not knowing.”

Of course, the fact of death must not be overlooked. However, I have to question whether death enters anyone’s thoughts more at a later age than when younger? No one is safe from death. During my 70 years, I have witnessed the deaths of friends, family and patients whose ages ranged from teenagers to the elderly. Some died as a result of disease, traffic accidents and other disasters both natural and man made. In that sense, I suspect that death and dying occupy my thoughts more now than when I was younger. It is just too easy for people to presume that, because you are older, thoughts of death are more omnipresent. The fact is that, if people are living life, they do not have the time to be preoccupied with death. For those who are so preoccupied, it may be that they are as depressed in their old age as they were when they were young.

The bottom line is that, in our youth oriented society, it is easy to make presumptions about what aging is. It is not depressing, sad, end of life, or tragic. Tragedy and loss can and does happen all during the life span of any of us, regardless of our present age.

Finally, I am much better able to live in and appreciate living in the moment. I feel much less pressure to be somewhere, to meet some deadline and to attain some difficult to achieve goal. Maybe that is part of the solution to the stresses of living and aging: live mindfully, enjoy the moment, experience it and do not be in such a hurry to get to the next place, next moment, next task. In other words, the past is gone, the future may never be but we have the present. Whatever the age, live fully in the moment.

Your thoughts are encouraged.

Allan N. Schwartz, PhD

Keep Reading By Author Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D.

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Are you looking for special 70th birthday party ideas for a milestone celebration? So many occasions in life call for celebrations. Though the seemingly overwhelming task of planning an event might deter you from recognizing special moments, party planning can be easy when you use Peerspace. The Airbnb of event venues can help you secure the perfect place for your party, with thousands of stylish locations all available to rent by the hour. Not only that, but you can also enjoy must-have extra additions like catering and bartending services via the Peerspace Concierge service. Bring your 70th birthday party ideas to life with a special venue and unbeatable services!

The sky’s the limit when it comes to selecting a place to party on Peerspace. Everything from local restaurants and underground speakeasies to epic penthouses and to historic homes are available on our easy-to-use platform. Local hosts own and operate the space and provide detailed descriptions and photos of their rentals. Plus, you can read genuine reviews from past Peerspace users like yourself. The site of your next party will be legendary when you book a venue through our platform, and you won’t even have to worry about the post-party cleanup!

Whether you or your loved one is celebrating their seventh decade in this world, host a phenomenal birthday party to commemorate the occasion. Celebrate this major milestone birthday in an extra-special way with these 70th birthday party ideas.

Source: Peerspace

The first order of business for planning a major birthday party is finding a venue that can comfortably accommodate all of your loved ones. On Peerspace, you can find a diverse selection of venues, including a mansion, garden, theater, art gallery, speakeasy, or club, to host the party in.

Many locations on Peerspace come with amenities, like kitchen access, Wi-Fi, fireplaces, TVs, and even outdoor fire pits, so you can have all of the comforts of home at your party. All you have to do is search for venues in your city and use filters to narrow down your ideal space. You can also enjoy add-ons to make the event a raving success. Plus, most available venues feature beautiful interior design, so you won’t even have to worry about decorating for the party.

Feel free to contact the Concierge service for vendor recommendations, such as photographers, and for assistance in arranging for catering or renting A/V equipment and furniture. Peerspace can be your one-stop-shop for hosting the perfect birthday bash! For all this convenience, you may think that our venues are incredibly expensive, right? But that’s not necessarily the case. And with every venue, the price is listed clearly, with no hidden fees.

So, how much does it cost to rent a birthday party venue on Peerspace?

2. Play games

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You’re never too old for games, not even at age 70! Gather some fun board games to keep party guests entertained. Casino-inspired games, card games, and classics — including Scrabble, Sorry, Clue, Life, and Trivial Pursuit — will be a hit with all ages. Just make sure you have enough tables and/or floor space so that people can comfortably play games throughout the party.

You can also opt to book a Peerspace venue with a massive entertainment center, a private screening room, or a bowling alley on-site to make the night even more comfy and memorable.

Similarly, check out our tips and tricks to hosting an amazing poker night party, in case the idea of a casino-inspired bash is in the cards for your big 7-0!

3. Turn up the music

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It’s not a party without music. Curate a playlist featuring the top singles from the decades the guest of honor grew up in or hire a tribute band that can play all of their favorite hits from their youth. If you want to go all-out and have live music (and you have the space for it), find talented and affordable musicians and bands on Gigsalad or The Bash.

Many Peerspace venues have A/V equipment, so hosting a live band won’t be an issue. Live entertainment is the perfect way to get everyone on their feet while honoring the birthday person’s superb musical taste!

Because it’s only a few years away: check out our 12 special 75th birthday ideas next!

Peerspace is the easiest way to book the perfect party space. Enjoy the largest location library and hassle-free bookings today.

Find birthday party venues ›

Source: Peerspace

Seventy years means hundreds of memories. Showcase all of the best moments from the birthday person’s many years with a touching slideshow set to music, a mini-movie made of a compilation of home videos, or a biographical homemade movie with friends or family reenacting their favorite memories of the birthday person. Creating touching moments like these is what makes milestone birthdays so special.

This 70th birthday party idea is perfect for sentimental souls and will be a keepsake that they can watch over and over again, long after the party ends. Let the memory-making continue by making sure to take loads of pictures at the party. It might even be worthwhile to hire a photographer so that you don’t have to worry about missing any photo-worthy moments.

5. Make it a costume party

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Ask all of the guests to dress in the style of the decade the guest of honor was born or the decade they have the most stylish outfits from. (It’s easy to host a decades costume party with outfits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, or ‘70s because costume pieces from those decades are a dime a dozen!)

Or, have everyone dress as the birthday person for a hilarious surprise. Go all-out with wigs, makeup, facial hair, and any other relevant accessories. And of course, be sure to get photos of everyone with the birthday person! You can make the experience even more trippy by hosting the event in a retro Peerspace venue, like this sweet and cozy sixties sensation home in Belleville, Illinois.

In the NYC area? Then you need to check out this blog on the top 5 costume rental companies in New York City!

Peerspace is the easiest way to book the perfect party space. Enjoy the largest location library and hassle-free bookings today.

Find birthday party venues ›

Source: Peerspace

Choose a theme for the party and run with it! Major birthdays can feature lots of silver and gold, or you can keep it simple and use the birthday honoree’s favorite colors. Theme the party around things from the year or decade they were born (or their favorite decade of their youth). For example, you can draw inspiration from the diners of the 1950s or movies like Grease. If the honoree is especially fond of dancing or the ’70s, host a disco party.

Use the theme to inform your choice of decorations, tableware, catering, and activities at the party. This is the perfect chance to also consider their favorite dishes. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a meal from their youth, just make sure it’s something that can be shared with other party-goers. Think hors d’oeuvres, pastries, and finger sandwiches, to name a few.

Digging the disco scene? Check out more of our groovy disco party ideas!

7. Party with an open bar

Source: Peerspace

Say cheers to 70 years with an open bar at the birthday party. Some Peerspace venues offer bar services, but if not, most will allow outside bartending services as long as the service provider has the right licensing. Call up the Concierge service for assistance arranging for a bartender. If you arrange it ahead of time, you can even request that the bartender concoct a signature cocktail based on the birthday person’s favorite drinks. Talk about a clever (and tasty!) cocktail party idea.

You can also opt to book a private bar on Peerspace for the full experience without the hassle, such as the one pictured above.

8. Host a toast and/or roast

Source: Peerspace

Honor the birthday person with a champagne toast (or another fun drink of their choice). Or, if they have a good sense of humor, consider opting for a roast in addition to — or instead of — a toast. Ask guests to prepare a speech on notecards for the toast/roast ahead of time by leaving a note about it on the invitations.

Be sure to supply plenty of toasting glasses and silverware for clinking. And if you think it will be necessary, remind guests to be courteous and watch their language if children are present. This 70th birthday party idea is a great way to recognize the guest of honor for all that they are and all that they have been.

Bonus: a professional photoshoot

Source: Peerspace

Society isn’t always kind to us as we age. Whether you’re the person turning 70 or you’re celebrating someone else turning the big 7-0, consider planning a birthday photoshoot with a professional photographer! This may sound like it would be daunting to throw together, but it’s a breeze when you rely on Peerspace. First, choose a stunning photoshoot location near you by clicking the Peerspace link. You’ll encounter professional studios, beautifully-designed living spaces, and other photographic settings. Each space comes with its own listing that includes all the important information you need to make an informed decision.

After you book a space, contact the Concierge service and ask them to send a reputable photographer to the venue during your specified rental period. That’s it! You can also ask them to enlist a professional hair and makeup team if you want to give the birthday person a full-on makeover. Either way, they’ll go home with beautiful memories and incredible images that remind them just how amazing they are.

Need some inspiration? Check out our creative birthday photoshoot idea for adults!

Peerspace brings 70th birthday party ideas to life

Source: Peerspace

Making it to your 70th birthday is no small feat, so of course, it requires an epic celebration! Step one is to book the perfect hourly rental space on Peerspace. You’ll have instant access to cabins, beach houses, lofts, castles, wineries, and so much more.

Before booking, you can check out high-def photos, detailed descriptions, and honest reviews from past renters. That way, your loved ones can gather in a private, pristine, and stylish spot all your own for as many hours as you like.

Once there, celebrate with all of your favorite activities, foods, drinks, and people. When needed, contact the Concierge service and have them deliver extra party goodies. Let these 70th birthday party ideas inspire you to plan a special birthday party that they’ll cherish forever.

Closer than comfortable to the birthday date? No worries! We also have tons of helpful last-minute party ideas here.