Entertaining Ideas
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
50th anniversary party
I need help, I don't even know where to start! It's for my DH grandparents. There is no one else but us close enough to do something for them and I really think they deserve it. They are a very simple couple who are the most giving people I know. I want to throw them a surprise party and invite all of there out of town relatives. Any theme, food, activity, ideas would be much appreciated!
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Re: 50th anniversary party
How many people are you expecting?
Will you be hosting it in your home? Or at a restaurant, hall, etc.?
What time of year will you be hosting?
Around 100-125.
I would like to do it at a hall.
The end of March.
What's special to them? Have they lived anywhere else in the world? Where did they honeymoon?
For example, my parents went to Hawaii on their honeymoon, so for their anniversary party, I was thinking of doing a tropical/luau theme.
Sounds like you've got to feed a lot of people. Pasta might be the cheapest way to go. How about an Italian theme? You could have Italian or rat pack-style music playing in the background. Use red for decor. Serve red wine or sparkling juice and have grapes, cheese, crackers, breads as apps. Hope this helps.
For that many people, I would strongly suggest hiring a caterer. Most home cooks wouldn't have the storage space and time to prep that much food.
With that in mind, your menu could run the gamut. Personally, I like hors d'oeuvres because a) they look pretty and b) you get a variety of tastes. Is there anywhere that your grandparents love? Maybe you could tie that in. For example, if they met while students in Paris, do French food.
For decor, I would do photos of them through the years. Since the 50th wedding anniversary is the gold anniversary, work that into your palette. The combination of pinks and gold would be stunning at night. It's very 40s/50s, so it might give them a hint of nostalgia. Here are some ideas:
On a sentimental leve, I love this idea.
ETA: I know you said that you're the only ones who are physically close enough to do anything, but is there a chance that others (i.e. kids, grandkids) would be willing to contribute financially?
The pink and gold is gorgeous!
I don't think they went on a honeymoon, they have never had much money. In fact I don't even think they had a formal wedding, they just did something small at the courthouse.
I think a slide show would be fun. They are really going to enjoy anything, it's the rest of the guests that I'm worried about entertaining. I might have to drop the guest list.
Don't worry about everyone else. Pick out some good music (Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra-esque is a good crowd pleaser), involve the guests in writing their favorite memories of the grandparents as a couple, maybe have a photo board where they bring in their favorite photo of the two of them and display it by the presents, and you should be fine.
Do what you can afford is the bottom line.
If it's in the budget I would spring for a DJ. Be sure the DJ will play things that will be appropriate for all ages.
You could make your own playlist, but I find people are less apt to dance with just a play list.
I think if you can afford to have it catered that would be nice too, but if not, go for pasta, meatballs, rolls, and salad. Ask someone to help you prepare the food. You can do most of it ahead of time and just heat it up in the kitchen at the hall.