• Make the 60-year-old woman feel special on her birthday.old woman in studio image by Slyadnyev Oleksandr from Fotolia.com
  
  A 60th birthday truly is a milestone, so commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime occasion and tailor activities planned for that day around the birthday girl's preferences. Whether the recipient is your wife, mother, grandma, sister or aunt, she has witnessed major events in her life that may include her marriage, the birth of her children, career advancements, children's marriages and the birth of her grandchildren. Pay a tribute to this lady's glorious past and toast the good times that lie ahead.
  
  

Weekend Getaway

• Take the birthday girl for a weekend trip or longer, if you can manage, to her favorite national or international destination. Convey your decision to the recipient so she prepares accordingly. Get her significant other to come along too so they treat it as a second honeymoon, or take the whole family if she prefers to be with her loved ones that particular day. Determine whether your budget covers the trip, or else opt for something closer and cheaper such as a local weekend spot. Ask if she prefers to go by air or road. Book hotels beforehand and keep her activity level in mind when planning the itinerary.
  
  If a vacation is unlikely due to work and time constraints, even a picnic at a local park with the birthday girl is enough to make her feel special. Take time out from your schedule, pack her favorite meal and pick her up at a specified time. Talk about your past and present, and future plans, and listen intently to her stories from the past; she will love the company.
  
  

Formal Dinner

• Arrange a dinner for the guest of honor so she celebrates the beginning of another glorious year surrounded by family and dear friends who share her past. Arrange the dinner indoors for a small company, or outdoors for a gathering. Arrange round seating through the venue and decorate in an elegant theme such as gold and black, silver and white or pink and gold. Suspend balloons, streamers and twinkling lights and wind theme-colored bows around the backs of chairs. Hire a caterer to make the guest of honor's favorite meal, and a local orchestra to play live music throughout the evening. Prepare a slideshow before the party, including photos from the birthday girl's past that pay homage to the great lady that she is along with personal messages and anecdotes from friends and family who know her so well to play during the evening.
  
  

Spa Trip

• Treat the soon-to-be 60-year-old to a day at her favorite local spa. Purchase prepaid vouchers that include a full body massage, scalp massage, facial, pedicure, manicure and other treatments for women her age. Treat her close friends as well so they can gossip and catch up on the latest happenings while being pampered. Check beforehand with the management for any discount on package deals.