I need help with a 50th anniversary

[momma2girls]

My parents 50th is coming up and I want to do something really nice for them but have never done anything like this before. Any ideas???

[sunshine]

We did my parent's 50th a couple years ago.

I hit up the after Christmas sales (may be too late already) and got lots of gold stuff. . . serving trays, ribbons, wrapping paper, etc.

We put plain white paper table clothes on the tables-- with gold ribbons down the middle. Then I sprinkled Hershey's hugs (in gold foil) along the ribbons -- and replaced as they were eaten.

We wrapped the door to the hall ( we used the fellowship hall at our church, so it was free) with gold wrapping paper, and put a huge cardboard picture of their original wedding picture on the door.

My brother made a power point presentation on the computer -- of family photographs over the years and added music-- and that played in an endless loop on a table. People just walked by, stopped and looked for a bit then moved on.

I took the original wedding picture --- and a current picture of my parents and put them on bookmarks (that I made on my computer) with a note of thanks for sharing in our special day. Those were handed out as favors.

I went to Sam's club and got stuff to make sub sandwiches, etc.

All in all -- we did a nice reception type party for under $300.

[HAMCHRIS]

We did a 60th for DH's Grandparents a few years back. We had a nice drop in reception for them in our Church's family life center more or less like a wedding reception. One really nice thing that we did was a wall mural telling the story of their life together. They loved it. Oh, and another thing was that all of their Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren sang "You're still the one" by Shania Twain. It was so sweet and their wasn't a dry eye in the house.

[momma2girls]

Those are great ideas!! Thanks so much for posting them.:smiling:

[momma2girls]

i have another question about sending the invitations. I have set the dat for March 24th so sending them out the first week in Feb would be ok wouldn't it or do I need to try to get them out this week?
Also my parents don't really need anything but somebody suggested that maybe I could put a cash gift would be fine. I don't know about doing that. What do ya'll think? I mean they could really use it since they are on a fixed income with Social Sec but I just feel kinda weird about putting that down.

[momma2girls]

Anybody?

[LifeOfRylee]

What is the age range of the guests? I've found from attending anniv receptions, that older guests bring gifts. Younger guests do not. So some of them may bring gifts anyway. Especially if they have known your parents over the years.

I wouldn't be comfortable putting something on the invite about a gift, unless you have something specific in mind to do as an entire group gift.

[momma2girls]

Thanks!
The guest will be all ages and the person that suggested that I say something about the gifts had $$ in mind because she knows my parents don't have alot extra. I know my parents though and they really don't care about getting anything (well they love getting cards) they mostly just love to see their family and friends.

[cindyloo]

Have you thought about putting a money tree up? You could put on the invitations no gifts then if anyone wanted to they could put money on the tree. ???????? Just a suggestion

[Candace]

About when to mail the invitations - aren't wedding invitations usually mailed 6 weeks before the date? I think you could follow the same timeline and 6 weeks seems like the right amount of time.

[momma2girls]

Have you thought about putting a money tree up? You could put on the invitations no gifts then if anyone wanted to they could put money on the tree. ???????? Just a suggestion

That's a great idea!! I never even thought about something like that.
Candace thanks for the timeline on the invites!

[Gr8ful]

When is their anniversary? If you have time, you could do what we call a "poor man's scrapbook". It's LOADS of fun and very cool. This is how you do it.

Go through newspapers, old magazines etc for "sayings" related to your celebration that "fit" the person you are making it for. For example, I have an Avon book in front of me. It has 3 usable quotes I could cut and paste onto a page. They are:

"instant full pout" could be used when parenting came into the marriage :giggle:
"no needles necessary" might be used for childbirth, accidents, etc.
"Introducing" could be used for having a family picture on that page.

See what I mean? 40th birthdays are a hoot 'cause you can put "aging" stuff in there like "depends undergarments" hemmoroid info, hearing aid ads, etc. Maybe you'd luck out and find ads that say "the scoop on poop" and have a whole page devoted to 'roids, constipation, fiber, hair loss, ??? etc.

50 years of marriage invites some pretty hilarious stuff I would think. :giggle: You would want to put in a page for every major event if possible. I just glue the strips and pics I have cut and trimmed up onto 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock if I have it or plain white 8 1/2 x 11 paper if I don't. Cover with a plastic page protector, slap it into a decorated binder and voila...a unique gift guaranteed to keep them chuckling and/or feeling loved and smiling for years to come.

WARNING: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE ACTIVITY!

Judy

[momma2girls]

That's a great idea and I may try to do it even if I can't get it ready for the party. Thanks alot!!:clap:

[Gr8ful]

We do these for any major and children's birthdays, anniversaries, Ist Christmas, baby showers and/or gifts etc. They are guaranteed to keep you chuckling at the oddest moments when you've found particularly fitting and funny ones! Have a look at your newspaper today...I'd bet you'll find loads of stuff just in one paper once you start looking at it from that perspective. The only problem is that you never look at newsprint and catalogues the same again. :giggle: Headlines, ads, all manner of print will give you loads to work with. Pictures in flyers help too. Glad it was of use to you Becky.
Judy
ps: I forgot to add that you put as many clippings as you can fit on the page and still have it look good. That's why you separate the pages into categories.