I have been nominated to have a birthday party for my father-in-law who will be 75 years old on May 6th of this year. It is also my in-laws anniversary date as well, they will be married for 51 years.
We had a 50th anniversary party for them last year. But with this milestone of his age and he isn't in the best of health anyways (recovering from prostate and colon cancer). We are going to have the party at our local church and we have the menu planned, as well as the guest list.
I need ideas for something to honor him. We did a DVD presentation to them for their anniversary party. So we wanted to do something a little different this time. But we also don't want to leave out my mother-in-law since it is her anniversary as well.
There will be about 30-35 people there, close family and friends. I only have a week to pull this off and I am desperate for any decorating ideas and any way to honor him. He is a retired magistrate of 22 years, a retired farmer, and does not party at all. He is a big joker, however. My mother-in-law is a very quiet person who never says a lot, because she doesn't get much of a chance with my father-in-law doing all the talking. She is very petite and fragile and so kind and loving.
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
Donna from KY
You could make a timeline of their lives together, honoring both his birthday and their anniversary. Get a big piece of butcher paper and start with his birthday at one end and move forward to his first day of school, graduation from high school, first job, etc. Attach pictures, letters, cards, or other symbols of important events along the way. For example, you could find their wedding announcement and attach that near the date of the wedding, or the birth announcements of their children.
Pass around a blank Journal book and have each guest write a funny or interesting memory of himself and the guests of honor. They can then read this in the future and relive all the good stories. (04/28/2005)
By Beverly in TN
Have each family member and guest put an item in a box that represents something special about your dad. For example, a fishing pole. Whoever put this in would take their turn getting up and telling a memorable story about why this memory shared with your dad is so important. Its OK to have double items because the stories will be different. Someone can record the stories for your dad to keep. It will be an original and unique gift. It will also show how special your dad is to so many people. (05/14/2005)
By Kim A.
Here are just a few suggestions that we are using at my father's party in August. Dad has a lot of grandchildren, so one way we thought to include them is to do a Bill Cosby type show of our own. With someone running a video camera we will have chairs set up and the kids will be asked different questions. We will ask them what was the funniest thing they ever saw Grandpa do or say, and fill in the blank questions such as "My favorite thing about Grandpa is..." I also found a whole bunch of "old sayings" that we grew up hearing my parents and grandparents say and we are going to have the kids finish the saying in their own words. Such as "Let sleeping dogs____". "Don't throw the baby out with the ____". "A bird in the hand is___". You get the idea.
We are also taking quilting blocks and fabric pens, so people can write their names and a little message. This is going to be made into a small lap quilt. Don't forget a guest book (home made is best) with plenty of room for messages and pictures or drawings from the kids. Let your knowledge of your loved ones guide you and believe me the ideas will flow. You don't have to spend a lot of money to make wonderful memories. I bet both of them will tell you that.
(06/12/2005)
By Sherry
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