I need some ideas for my mother's 80th birthday.
- Jennie
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For my mom's 80th Birthday we had a surprise party for it, which all of my siblings, through very careful planning, were able to make it back for, along with several cousins and aunts. I wanted something special, besides the pictures and table decorations for her to remember it by, so I went to a Party Outlet store, a Dollar store would have this also, and got a $1 vinyl tablecloth. We hung it on a wall, though it would be fine spread out on a table, and had various colored sharpies on hand, (They won't smear) and had everyone sign the tablecloth, along with any messages they wanted my mom to have. It's been 3 years now, and my mom still pulls the tablecloth out and can read every message.
I hope that's helpful to you!
My mom is turning 80 in Feb 2005 and I have been planning a surprise. I plan to have an open house from noon to 4 at my home. I plan to have snacks and cupcakes and strawberry shortcake (Moms favorite). I have crocheted white crosses and will be putting on purple ribbons to pass out to the ladies as book marks. I am ordering black pens with crosses for the men as favors. (Mom will like that theme). Since she still works (I know she is almost 80,,,,,she takes newborn baby pictures; we both do! and she would hate to quit). The color theme will be lavender and purple. I was going to hire a hall; but, being in the winter and we live in the Northeast....a storm may wipe the party out; an open house can be done anytime. Just thought you might want to know another option.
When our Mother turned 80, we hosted a family meal for her near her home (actually we used a church fellowship hall, and hired a caterer) so that travel would not be difficult for her. We invited all her children, sisters, grandchildren, and special friends --- we had a group of about 40. We each brought a single flower and put in a vase for her to take home. She was thrilled, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day. We visited, reminised about the memories we had of her over the years.
On her 75th, we gave her a memory book --- that each person that was near and dear to her had made up a page of memories of her to insert into the book. Some folks wrote poems, some stories of special things they remembered about her or did with her, some folks made their page into a picture memory page. She still treasures that book, and often shows it to us when we visit her.
This year we are celebrating her 85th, we (her children) are hosting a special meal at a restaurant near her home. There will be about 20 of us in attendance. We have hired a professional photographer to come and take pictures of the day. We are sure this will be a treasured memory to her also.
I hope some of these suggestions help.
My Mom didn't want a party for her 80th birthday, so I gave her a card shower. She loves cards. I sent a flyer to all relatives, friends, and neighbors and asked that everyone send her a card for her birthday.
This generation of people went through the Great Depression! We hosted for three of my grandparents a "money tree" . Somebody was asked to find a Charlie brown tree, place the tree in a coffee can and bring to the party. Each guest at the party divided up the $80 into $1 bills and then we attached the $80 on the tree. All three of my grandparents thought WOW, they couldn't believe how much was on the tree! Very simple and fun to do. Good luck!
For our Mother's 80th birthday, my 2 sisters and I rented a big conference room at a local hotel. We invited all of her family and close friends to come to a surprise party for her.
When I turned 70 all my grandchildren gave me card or posters that had 70 items on it. Like 70 pennies, 70 stamps, marshmallows, cough drops erc. Since I enjoy a beer, I even got 70 bottles of beer. The older children and grandchildren made up a tree with $70.00 attached to it. It was a memorable birthday.
Try ordering a newspaper from the day she was born. There are several places to do this online. This will bring back the news when she was born as well as see the advertisements and prices of things when she was born. I can't remember when bread was $0.15 per loaf but she can, or gas was $ 0.15 a gallon.
Hi! My mother in law just turned 60. We put together a scrapbook for her of "60 reasons we love you". Several family members and friends contributed reasons. We actually ended up with more than 60 reasons! We added photos, too. She LOVED it!!
Jennie -
Is your mother still able to get around? Does she enjoy cooking? The reason I ask is that I am an Independent Watkins Associate, and I have older customers that really enjoy the Watkins items they remember from years past (Watkins has been in business since 1868). We carry vanilla, extracts, dessert mixes, and other food items if she still enjoys cooking, and salves, liniments, and ointments (Petro Carbo Salve, Red Clover Salve, Old Red Barn Salve, Red Liniment, etc.). An assortment of any of these kinds of products would be nice. If you would like me to send you a catalog, just e-mail me and let me know, and I'll be happy to mail you one.
Trudy Powell
mo3bk@juno.com (to request catalog)
www.mo3bk.com
My mother lives with me and is away from all her other family, friends and neighbors. Before her 80th. birthday I e-mailed or wrote all the friends and family I could contact and asked them to send her a card and include a favorite Bible verse or favorite memory of her. I didn't tell her I had done it and she was bombarded with cards and lettere the week of her birthday. She said it was the best birthday she had ever had, and it was a very economical celebration. After it I made a scrapbook with all the cards and letters in it so she could look at them whenever she wanted to.
I have an idea for your Mother's 80th Birthday.
A Book of Memories
Gather together the pictures of your Mom from infancy to now. There are mementos of every important stage in her life from marriage to births.Weddings of her children and the births of her grandchildren.Do not forget her dogs and kittens. On the front of the album, put a copy of the special picture of Mom. This is the one you all love.Put this picture on the plaacemats at the tables.
Cook Mom's favourite foods and that includes desserts.
For one of her gifts, include a whole family portrait to be taken later that week. Then think of the gift she would love but will not indulge herself with.
Decorate in Mom's favourite colors.
Bring happy memories into the room by sharing stories Mom told you and funny things that you saved through your childhood.
There are one or two people who have been special to Mom throughout her life. Surprise Mom with these people as bgger than a breadbox gfts. it will make her day. Put love into everything you do. She wll never forget your specal birthday tribute to her.
Good Luck!
For my dad's 80th I took 80 one dollar bills and taped them together end to end so they form a chain. Then you place them in a small box (bills are layered in). Tape a small tab to the first bill and have only the tab sticking out of the box, but make sure the slot from the box is big enough for the bills to follow. Write on the tab"pull here". He pulled and pulled and pulled!! You can imagine how long an $80. chain is! Was great fun, he loved it!
This was a hit! Several of us went in towards this gift for our friend's 80th birthday celebration. He loved it and said it was one of the best gifts ever. Thank you.!!!!
Loved the charlie brown combo x-mas/$ tree idea. How do you attach the bills to the tree? Thank you!
I'd opt for some sort of vintage party. What your mother loved when she was young? Maybe a vintage baseball party? Or 50's inspired dance party?
Or you could take her to a car cinema to remember the good old days when she was sneaking out at night to date your dad :) In case there isn't one in your town, why not to make it? All you need is an empty field, big sheets and film projector that could be bought on Ebay.
I'm pretty sure your Mom would appreciate any kind of a party :)
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