Hi-
My sister and I are currently low on funds and our parents have a milestone anniversary coming up (40 years). We got a family friend to let us borrow their lakehouse and we're all having a weekend getaway together. This is a huge treat b/c my family all gets along and we don't all live in the same city. My sister and I are trying to think of fun things we can do (special touches) for our parents to make the weekend really special for them. We've already done all the usual compilation of photos, made a video, had friends write letters and compiled in a book, etc. What we're thinking of this time is little treats we can give them all weekend - like placecards that their grandchildren make, notes on their bathroom mirror, treats on their pillows before bedtime. Actually, that's all we've thought of. We're there for 4 days so we need more ideas. HELP! Thanks a ton!
Some type of scavenger hunt might be nice--with clues around the house. Maybe the prize could be the cake. :).
When my grandparents had theirs the grandchildren had a little program dedicated to them. My littlest sister sang "Wouldn't it be Loverly" and there were readings of poetry and the like...they really enjoyed it. Your girls are a little young, but they may be able to memorize a little poem or song (maybe not baby but she'll charm everyone anyway...they can't help it) Maybe the adults could put skits together or perform talents too. My folks live on the border and purchased some beautiful "ruby" glassware my grandmother loved.
How about breakfast in bed one morning?
Good job to you for getting this done. Somehow the 40th got away from us on both sets of my husband's and my parents, and my husband's insisted they did not want anything. Maybe for their 50th we can get something done. Enjoy!
Bring their fav coffee or hot teas or cookies etc. And special bath soaps or lotions etc. Bring their favorite movies to watch. Maybe they like puzzle books to do? Bring lots of paper goods to make the weekend easier and keep meals simple. If eeryone chips in to bring a few things, no one is out the cost of everything. How about anniversary cupcakes? Take tons of pics and make a special scrap book of THIS anniversary weekend for them. My kids gave us a 30th anniversary party and video taped it! I still love to watch it and see how much the grandbabies have grown. Bring plenty of clothes and just toss the dirty ones in a bag to bring home. Don't forget your cell phone chargers and first aid kit, too! Good luck!
Why not find out what they had for their rehersal dinner or the first date dinner and prepare a meal with the same menu. It would be a great reminescent meal for them. Have a "date" for them and create a special area outside for their "special date" that in quiet and intimate for just the two of them. Find the music from their era and play it during their time together for dancing, cuddling, etc.
I'm not sure if you have enough adults to do this, but when my parents had their 40th anniversary we played a family trivia game. We asked questions about how Mom & Dad met? How long was Dad in the army? Where did they go on their honeymoon? Where was their first date? Even questions about the kids? Who put the cat in the dryer? etc. It was just a different way was reliving great memories. Have fun!!
Make it feel like a bed n breakfast. Have breakfast in bed for them every morning in their room. Maybe one night redo their first date. Another fun would be set up a table and chairs outside for a special outdoor candlelit dinner.
Wow- first of all Congratulations to your parents for celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. That is a huge accomplishment in today's world! I think all the things you have planned sounds wonderful. I second the idea about a candlelight dinner maybe outside. Maybe have champagne or sparkling cider and have the older grandkids present them with "menus" and take their order. Have a special desert for them to share at the end- maybe have them dress up (if they will go for it) and take pictures.
Hope this helps!
K.
Our family love charrades and plays at home. If the kids (your mom and dad's and the 6 yr old) are up to it maybe you could make a comilation cd with music from the time when they met or got engaged. Whic is usually a fun story and make up a little scrip and put on a home show for Mom and Dad. Then make sure to record it so they can visit their talented family over and over when they get home. Also a talent show if at home and free. Another thing that is always fun idea is badmitton tournament, or Croquet.
If you can find some of the foods that were cooked by their parents or ones that are the one's they like. Some of the old family games done when you were kids, do not forget the music that they danced to or heard on the radio. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. Be sure and take lots of pictures and have fun.
Wow, what wonderful memories for everybody. The 40th is a Ruby Anniversary...
I would suggest you make up a small "bouquet" for your mother. Costco has the most beautiful flowers for less than $20. Gather them and wrap the stems with Ruby colored satin ribbon. She will love the fragrance and it will bring back memories of the original wedding day.
Be sure to have them tell the stories about how they met, how he proposed, how they told their parents, all of the celebrations for the wedding, and the best memories from their years together!
Another thing I have done for special anniversaries is to get a 12 inch layered Round cake Iced in Cream cheese frosting and make a wedding topper using fresh flowers. If you have access to a bride and groom topper (vintage) it would also be fun to use on top of the cake. Have your parents cut the cake and feed a piece to each other.. The grandkids will get a kick out of it. You can all come up with a toast, even the grandkids. Have an adult read a toast from the tiniest children....
If you haven't thought about it consider having a professional photographer take a group photo of the whole family. You could coordinate outfits like white shirts and khaki shorts/pants for everyone to wear. If funds are tight see if you have any good friends that would let you borrow their high end camera for the weekend and try to do it yourself or if you have a good friend with a camera see if they will come to the lake to take the photos. A good time of day for taking photos is at sunrise or sunset. I think a great photo of the family would be a wonderful keepsake for everyone.
H.
What a blessing that you all get along and that you're providing this special weekend for your parents! One thing I can think of is to have your parents tell about their lives. Work with the six-year-old to come up with questions that she'd like to know the answer to. (Tell me about your early years, what's the biggest difference between then and now, what things were better then, what things are worse now, your favorite memory, things like that.) Then have her interview her grandparents. Make a video of the interview, and then write it down. Have your daughter do some illustrations. I'm sure your parents will treasure the time, the video, and the book (the book doesn't have to be fancy - you can bind it with yarn!)They have grandparent journals that can guide you - you might want to have them fill one out instead of or in addition to the book.
A scavenger hunt, maybe about items pertaining to 40. Events from 40 years ago- create a game show or music/karaoke from 40 years ago.
A balloon lift off of 40 balloons would be fun for the kids. Of course great board games. Pictureka is a great game.
Have fun, make it simple-$ store always have little trinkets to throw in there.
Have you thought of getting in a massage therapist to give your parents a couples' massage? All the kids could chip in and that could be their one big gift from all of you. Some places who do out calls ( that means they come and set up at your hotel/cabin or cottage) also prepare chocolate covered strawberries as a treat or a cheese & wine/champagne platter just for the couple. Massages are always such a treat,so romantic and always very relaxing!
Just an idea!
Everyone has stories to tell. Encourage them to tell their stories. Write them down. When, where, and how did they meet, ask about their courtship, where did they go on dates, do they have a favoirte movie, song, poem. How were their childhood experiences different/alike. Ask about their parents/grandparents. If you and your sister don't already know the answers, one day you will wish you did. If you take photos of the weekend, you will have your next gift to your parents almost done. Greeting cards they receive can be incorporated into the memory album, too.
You can google and find out what some of the happening things were at the time of their marriage (the hot songs; movies, books, etc.) Then you could interject some of those things in the decorations or momentos for the weekend. Maybe and CD with downloaded songs from the time - even their favorite song; a movie on DVD from the time, etc. Sounds like it will be great fun just being together - even if you didn't do another thing. Have a wonderful time.
J.,
I congratulate you on all the great ideas you've had so far for your folks. It almost sounds like you've created their second honeymoon for them all over again. The only thing that would probably make the occasion only that much more memorable would be if you allowed them to have a true honeymoon (with no one else at the lakehouse but them). If you and your siblings could leave a day or two early, that would give your parents time alone to really enjoy one another's company in private.
HTH,
Jen
The traditional gift for a 40th anniversary is rubies - so how about a bright red popcorn bowl filled with a box of their favorite candy, a bag of popcorn to microwave, and a copy of the Wizard of Oz, and a red throw to snuggle under w/ their grandaughters while they watch?
Or the six-year old might enjoy decorating a card w/ red sequins.
Maybe put red stones (like from Michaels or Hobby Lobby) in the bottom of a vase of your mom's favorite flower?
I love the idea of a weekend getaway for the whole family! It sounds like it'll be great!
