80th Birthday Party

Can the celebration be delayed until the wife is out of hospital and recovered from pneumonia?

Music - find out what kind of music he likes, or has personal sentimental connections. Then arrange to have it played via some system.
Hoping everyone enjoys themselves.

Large versions of games such as Connect 4 and Jenga can be hired to keep the children (and some adults amused).
Pherhaps a treasure hunt with clues based on his life.

A family picnic- everyone brings a dish with perhaps some games for the family?

Firstly I'd be asking him what he wants to do. With his wife in hospital he might not want to anything festive. And the idea of "celebrating" the advent of 80 might not appeal either. I know that my DH , who will be 80 this year, has no wish to celebrate the occasion at all, and wants nothing but the ability to stop the clock.

Does he want an 80th birthday party though ?
You don’t say when it is but as your talking about an ex wife in hospital currently it sounds imminent have you considered the weather for elderly people and babies? Family picnics sound lovely but sitting in your boots and heavy coat in pouring rain might not cut the muster

My husband does what his children want. As I said, it is his ex-wife who is in hospital, not his wife.

And no, he doesn't want a party particularly and nor do I. We have already had one of the daughters round pleading for warmth for the babies.

Well if he doesn’t want a party then don’t have one. If the children want to treat him, they should do the organising.

For goodness sake why have a party if no one wants one why not each family group take him out for a treat or all go for a family meal it’s nonense going to all this hand wringing and expense for something no one really wants

Theatre visit, meal out, a day trip let each child take the responsibility for a single celebration give him four nice days and they don’t have to be all at once, spread them out
What’s wrong with that, better for new babies too not to be at a cold maybe wet picnic or noisy stuffy party that no ones very keen on
Rethink I d say

BlueBelle - brilliant idea, but I suggested something on a different day and got shot down in flames.

Hire a magician or a juggler or a local reputable singer(s) with backing music to sing some of his favourite songs which can herald the birthday cake being cut, presents given and everyone joining in singing 'Happy Birthday'.

If the DC are all set on a party then they should organise it or go with BlueBelle's idea. When Mum turned 80 she wanted a party and so that's what we had and we all enjoyed it. Her 90th was a blast too but the weather wasn't!

Have a picnic in you garden or another family member’s if that’s not possible, then the babies can be indoors if necessary. Get party food from M&S/Waitrose or get some of the younger ones to barbecue, order a cake, some bubbles etc and enjoy

Have a nice indoor afternoon tea with cake and nibbles and wine and food for the children. Music in the background. Try and find as many old photos as you can for people to look at and get his old mates along so they can have a laugh and reminice. (?spelling)

Farmgran
Love the idea of wine and food for the children. ?

The kids organised a party for their Dad's 80th year before last (he's my ex), they found a great band that played music from his era and he was up dancing most of the evening - as was everyone else.
We went to a friend's 90th last year and again great night, everyone dancing and singing - although we did have to find the birthday boy a chair eventually, but one on castors so he was pushed round the dance floor!
I'd say celebrate every event possible, make memories - you won't always be able to

Hire a skittle alley at a local pub - you can either take your own buffet or get the pub to provide one.
Boat trip if you are near a river - They often have music available and will provide food.
Hire a room at a your local community centre - Hire a DJ or arrange a
quiz based on DHs interest / age, etc. You can also hire a magician to show card tricks etc. to guests.

Hope it goes well.

Definitely music from the year he was born through to his early years as a dad to bring back memories. As I posted recently, my daughter made a birthday cake for a big birthday, and we covered it in edible photos, courtesy of the local cake shop (you know where you hire cake tins etc). I'm told that some of the supermarkets also do this.
Cricket? Rounders? French cricket? Lots of folding chairs.

Any gathering with food and drinks and some music is good. Don’t let the day just pass without marking it ?

Sorry, zorro. I missed the ex bit.

Since your husband's kids want a party, let them organise it, as others have said. Do they want his and your involvement because they expect you two to pay for it?

Shooting you done in flames sounds excessive and ridiculous.

How about an entertainer/ actor who will do "this is your life" type thing with family involved. Or Oscars that things he had achieved...everyone gets involved! Good luck!

I have a major birthday next year and couldn't care less. Unfortunately other people do not intend to consider my wishes and I am going to have to go on holiday (not a hardship ) to escape the "surprise" party.
Neither you nor your husband want a party. Just make this clear and have nothing to do with organising one.
Or......you could follow my example.

Your DH doesn't want a party. You don't want a party so opt out and say No Thank You!

We've just been to a local garden centre, a large one with entertainment for the kiddies - farm, petting animals, rides, and playground - and a nice cafe, opening on to a terrace if it's nice, for the oldies. Maybe he'd like to do something similar, especially if he's a gardener. Food and cake freely available with no preparation, everyone can wander around and no-one has to do anything they don't want. No dancing, but then I'd run a mile from that!