Time line invitations: Buy card stock and envelopes from a paper store. On each card, draw a time line featuring the funniest, most important or oddest happenings over the course of the birthday person’s life.

Music: Play compilation CDs with songs dating from the guest of honor’s teen years.

Table-runner time line: Cover the table with plain kraft paper (available at office-supply stores), and use a colored marker to note historical events from the honoree’s lifetime. (These can be the same events listed on the invitation.) Place a small strip of patterned wallpaper or fabric down the middle of the table for a splash of color.

Centerpiece: Display colorful cupcakes on top of empty bakery boxes (available at party-supply stores). Pile leftover cupcakes in the boxes later for guests to take home.

Napkins: Let guests make wishes on their own cupcakes. Roll up paper napkins, tie them with a ribbon, then slip in a candle and a match. Keep matches nearby.

Drinks: Make ice cubes with candied ginger, fresh mint leaves, or maraschino cherries inside and serve them with sparkling water. For an inexpensive alternative to Champagne, try Prosecco, a sweet Italian sparkling wine.

Toast: When you’re making a toast for a milestone birthday, reflect on the person’s life and accomplishments, and try to include some personal anecdotes. But think twice before cracking wise about someone’s age; the honoree may not be amused.

Party favors: Mound the honoree’s favorite candy in plastic bags and tie the tops with ribbon.