I have 4 siblings and we're trying to decide what to do for our parent's 50th anniversary. We've gone from giving them a cruise, to a trip to Japan, to a party at the local Sheraton hotel, to a measly Chinese restaurant dinner and a gift certificate. We cannot seem to agree and we all have differing budgets, not to mention having to pay for travel, hotel and car rental expenses for some of us - not in lieu of, but in addition to the celebration expenses.
At the time of my parents 50th anniversary, my father was not able to travel. There are three of us and we decided to have a Golden Anniversary party for them. We invited some of their friends and people that they have known and been in their lives during the years they were married.
We rented an beautiful mansion (that was owned by the parks) in our area and catered it ourselves. We gave them a couple of big gifts that they needed and wanted and the party. We had finger foods (chicken wings and vegetable trays, meatballs, fresh fruits, chips and finger sandwiches.) And we had a wedding cake and an champagne punch (that was great).
They really did appreciate all of their siblings (that could make it) and us and our families to be together. We had friends that kept the food and the punch going. The look they had on their faces when the party started was worth so much, you see my dad passed away 6 months later. Your parents will be glad to just get all of you together with your families and with them. Those are memories you and your siblings will never forget.
I think nothing is worth arguing about when it comes to families. Maybe you all can come to some agreement but whatever you do, please make this a great memory for your parents. You will never regret it.
Elaine
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What is an classy, but inexpensive gift for a 50th wedding anniversary for a cousin? Something besides a picture frame.
By Sandra from Coal Creek, CO
My opinion is that it doesn't necessarily have to say something about 50th anniversary. But if you want semething a long that line how about a Christmas tree ornament that says 50th anniversary. Go to Bronner's.com and I think you will find things like that. I know when my parents had their 50th one of the things that they received was an embroidered thing that had some kind of verse about 50 years.
How much is expensive to you? For my brother's 50th anniversary I went to a dollar store and happened to find a gold gift bag, gold foil, and gold 'easter' grass. Over a period of time I got from the bank 50 of the gold dollar coins. I cut the foil and wrapped each coin in a piece. Then I alternated the grass and a few coins till it was all in the bag. To get at their gift they had to find all the coins and unwrap.
What we did for my friends parents 50th was get 50 cent pieces from the year they married to their 50th year & put them on a piece of cardboard than we put a number 50 in the middle with the gold dollars. Put it in a picture frame with glass over it. It was heavy but beautiful all the same. Only 1 of the 50 cent piece cost us a few dollars to buy because it had never been in circulation but still didn't look out of place & the gold dollars we got at the bank.
What did you use to put them on the cardboard and have them stay. A special glue or tape?
What is a gift for 50th wedding anniversary for a friend?
We need tips for our 50th wedding anniversary. Perhaps a nice getaway or bed and breakfast, but something that is really special.
By betty from San Bernardino, CA
What sort of things do you like to do together? My thought, if I were to have a 50th anniversary, would be to stay at Disneyland or Disneyworld hotel for a couple of days or more and be like kids again adventuring together at the Disney park ;-) Wouldn't need to do any driving (take the monorail), lots of restaurants and a swimming pool, gift shops and be with lots of people having fun :-)
And, hey, you're not far from Disneyland so you wouldn't even have to book a flight ;-)
Where was your first honeymoon? Could you go there again?
My grandparents never had a first honeymoon; when they had their 40th anniversary, my grandfather took Nana to Niagara Falls--where she'd dreamed of going but they never had gone--for one reason or another, with day-to-day life getting in the way until then.
He wasn't the romantic type,and this really floored her. Is there someplace your hubby has always wanted to go ( that you could live with for this special anniversary?) Congratulations on your 50th--quite an accomplishment!
You don't say if money is an object, so let's just assume you don't want to spend too much. Are you still in touch with the couple who knew you when..? If so, invite them to join you for dinner. You pick up the tab. If you aren't close to them perhaps you can invite other couples who have been married for 5, 10, 20, etc. years and they can join you for dinner. It will make for interesting conversation for sure. Ask people to recall when they first met, bring photo, etc.
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I will be going to California in September for a family reunion and at the same time I would like to surprise my in laws with something special for their 50th anniversary.
My parents will soon celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, any suggestions for a gift?
