Birthday Party Themes for the Autumn-born Host

By Emerson Driscoll

Edited by Taylor Morgan

After a long summer, the fall season is back, and with it comes many more birthdays, including my own. Recently, my mission has been to find the best birthday theme, specifically one attuned to the season, and after seeing so many summer birthday ideas that I loved, I knew I had to find a theme for myself that gave me the same excitement. 

Autumn emulates all the feels we know and love: the cool, smoky air, the golden leaves, spices and nostalgia that feels like a warm hug. After scouring platforms like TikTok for inspiration, I came across these niche themes for the perfect fall birthday and slowly came up with my own take on each of them. Here are some of my favorite birthday party themes, twisted and seasoned with my own personal spice. 

S // @salmaelkadyy on Pinterest

Fur and Tinis

Wear your best fur jacket, pair it with kitten heels and a smoky eye, and you are ready. Grab your favorite mocktail or spice it up with a DIY martini bar with varying mixers and garnishes for guests to pick their favorite combo. As for food, charcuterie boards are perfect for appetizers, and any cocktail-style finger foods will be a hit. For a larger meal, go for rich comfort foods. Filet mignon is perfect, or even chicken marsala for a lighter choice, paired with grilled, flavorful vegetables. An elegant cake is perfect for this theme; think simple with fruit or classic floral designs, even a black and white cake could do the trick. As for what to play in the background, jazz or piano, or even chill house music will drive home the theme. Card games are perfect for this theme, so bring your energy and determination when things start to wind down. 

Apples and Aperol

This theme is perfect for anyone looking for a daytime theme that can be spiced up. Grab your apple cider and pair it with your favorite garnish and a splash of Aperol, now you have the perfect drink to get started. As for outfits, think simple sweaters paired with your favorite chunky boots. Brunch provides the perfect spread for this theme, so think cinnamon and apple donuts, pastries and cheese plates, fruit and fresh salads. As for your cake, light, fruit flavors are the best to stick with. If cake is too heavy, depending on your party’s call time, you can stick with donuts and pastries, or even add in a fruit parfait-style dessert to keep things fresh and simple. The best soundtrack for this party includes artists like Mazzy Star or the Cranberries to create a warm, happy atmosphere. You can even include any 90s indie music or some acoustic folk-pop.

Champagne and Lace

Champagne and lace for a birthday party with a moody and classic vibe. This theme has a vintage, romantic aura, sticking to glamorous black, white and gold tones. Lace, satin and sparkly textures are the way to go here. The perfect outfit can be your favorite black mini dress paired with boots or a slingback heel, or try a sheer top paired with a lacey bra. As for food and desserts, the newly trending black and white cake with bows would work perfectly here. A fun and creative entrée option is a pasta bar, where guests can customize their own dish. Give guests the option to pair their pasta and cake with a fruity mocktail or champagne with an array of fruit purees. Next, a playlist mixed with Frank Sinatra and romantic ballads would create an amazing mood. You could even include modern lounge music for the same feel. Lastly, renting a photo booth would make your party unique and unforgettable!

Pumpkins and Prosecco

INESA // @inesa33 on Pinterest

This theme is the most nostalgic, emulating the warm, homey feeling fall brings, and can include the whole family, or even just a few close friends. Think warm lightning, a day or night vibe, with the Halloween classic “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" playing in the background. You can really go two ways here—it could be a pajama-style brunch party with a pancake and waffle bar, or a late-night dinner party with cozy pastas and pizza. To start with the pajama party, give guests an array of pancake and waffle toppings as well as the more savory option of grilled cheese with a twist of apple and brie, and sides of pumpkin soup or harvest salads. If you are opting for a dinner party, think sliders, flatbreads with fun toppings and mac-n-cheese or your favorite pasta. The overall feeling of the party should radiate wholesome, nostalgic energy, so for an evening setting, wear your favorite fitted knit sweater, straight-leg jeans and a brown boot. Make sure to give your guests a pumpkin to paint, as that will be your main event while watching your favorite fall movies. As for dessert, a bundt cake, apple pie or pumpkin pie works for either event option. Drinks can be sparkling apple cider or a pumpkin spice espresso martini. For a brunch setting, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are also a fun choice. Lastly, get creative with your music. Play what makes you feel the happiest and brings back good memories. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence the Richer is the first that comes to mind for me to encapsulate the cozy feeling you get surrounded by the people you love most.