I need some ideas for my mother's 80th birthday.
- Jennie
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.
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Could you help me with a theme for my mother's 80th birthday celebration?
By stephanie carloss from Monroe, LA
Just a thought, with this idea you could be very creative. What was going on in the world 80 years. ago that would be special to your mother; popular song, author, maybe a birthday theme for that era. I once found my mother a copy of a newspaper of the year she was born. She was thrilled. Just a thought.
This isn't really a theme, but it makes a wonderful gift. Write down 80 things you love about your mom. It could be special qualities she has or the way she cooks your very favorite meal or memories of things she's done for you or memories of trips or holidays, etc. Some could be funny, but most should be from the heart. I've don't this for both my parents and my step dad and it was the best present they ever got. Don't we all want to know how we've made a difference and impacted the lives of others? 80 memories of your mom is a fabulous way to tell her you love her! (you won't be able to think of 80 in one sitting, so try doing 10 at a time until you come up with 80.)
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