25th Wedding Anniversary Questions

[flower2222]

My Sibs and I are having a 25th Wedding Anniversary luncheon for our parents. 12- 4 pm. What would be considered appropriate entertainment? We are in disagreement over a DJ. Also, do people get party favors? Not sure, don't want to treat it as a wedding. I think we are in way over our heads. haha. I just wanted some input from the wise Dis'ers.

Thanks for input!

 

[castmemberb4]

The time that you're listing is a lunch and I don't think you need entertainment for that. The only anniversary luncheon I've been to did not have entertainment. Honestly I don't remember if there were favors but no matter the occasion I'm always agasinst favors, b/c I've given so many cadles, cookie cutters, shot glasses ........ you name it to Good Will.
Really I think food, drinks, and cake the chance for everybody to get together is enough.
Good Luck.

 

[Kathi OD]

When our children had a 25th anniversary celebration for us, the only entertainment was a slide show that they had put together. It ran in the background while everyone ate. They made sure to include pictures of everyone who was invited to the celebration. Then we had a wonderful gift.

 

[castmemberb4]

When our children had a 25th anniversary celebration for us, the only entertainment was a slide show that they had put together. It ran in the background while everyone ate. They made sure to include pictures of everyone who was invited to the celebration. Then we had a wonderful gift.

Oh ! Great Idea !

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My Sibs and I are having a 25th Wedding Anniversary luncheon for our parents. 12- 4 pm. What would be considered appropriate entertainment? We are in disagreement over a DJ. Also, do people get party favors? Not sure, don't want to treat it as a wedding. I think we are in way over our heads. haha. I just wanted some input from the wise Dis'ers.

Thanks for input!

Um yea...a DJ is so inappropriate for a 25th wedding anniversary luncheon.

No, no party favors are necessary however PICTURES are normally a part of the "entertainment". Slideshow idea is great.

When we had my parents 40th we had large pictures made as gifts for them and we displayed them as well.

 

[MIGrandma]

I gave my parents a 50th anniversary party, if I recall it was from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and we had it catered, and with a wedding style cake, but no real entertainment. They basically just wanted to visit with everyone as they came (it was open house style, so people were coming and going). Plus posing for lots of pictures.

 

[Katy Belle]

At my parent's 50th Anniversary party we had the young Grandkids do entertainment. The tiniest, ages 2,3,4 at the time sang "I am Special", and the 10 yr old did a ballet dance. My brother gave a speech about my parents life. It was all very well received. We didn't have lunch though, it was 2-5 in their church gym, just cake, nuts, mints, coffee, punch. That is customary for their curch.

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I am actually in the process of planning a surprise 25th Anniversary party for my parents... We are having it at a golf club and they are catering... We are not doing a DJ, but are thinking a slideshow, or at least having pictures framed around the room... We figured some of these guests, they have not seen in years, so there will be plenty of mingling...

I am torn myself on favors... I actually kind of thought about a candy buffet in the colors we are doing for the party... But neither of my parents are candy people, and there really will not be many kids...

I are having at least a 3 tier cake though if not a 4 tier, depending on the amount of RSVP's I get...

 

[KristaTX]

This thread is making me feel old. We'll have our 20th anniversary this year. We don't have kids at all, let alone old enough to be posting on the DISboards about planning an anniversary party for us . But I guess we are almost that old .

 

[disykat]

Wow - I have to say I'm amazed that any kids have the money and the gumption to plan a 25th for their parents. I can't even imagine! My kids will be in college so any money they would spend would mean more money I'd have to pay to their schools!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow - I have to say I'm amazed that any kids have the money and the gumption to plan a 25th for their parents. I can't even imagine! My kids will be in college so any money they would spend would mean more money I'd have to pay to their schools!

That is true. I do not expect my kids to plan a 25th. My oldest will just be graduating from college (maybe), unless she gets into law school.

And my youngest will be a college freshman that yr.

Yea...so no money from them...

That is in 6yrs. We are going on yr 20 in Dec.

 

[powellrj]

Wow - I have to say I'm amazed that any kids have the money and the gumption to plan a 25th for their parents. I can't even imagine! My kids will be in college so any money they would spend would mean more money I'd have to pay to their schools!

Me too, when we had our 25th almost 7 years ago, my kids were 19, 12 and 7! We took the youngest 2 to WDW and the oldest was at basic training!

Good luck and hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[Disney Doll]

About 5 years back DH & I helped our niece and 2 nephews (college kids) throw a 25th anniversary party for their parents (DH's sister & husband). We and DH's other sister chipped in for the bulk of the expense, although each of the kids gave us $100, because they wanted to. They were in college and were working, knew thay had this event coming up, decided amongst themselves that they could each give $100. It was fine with us...gave the kids the ability to say they pitched in, but we added $$ to it to have a nice party. The kids also worked like mules the day of the party picking up stuff, setting up the yard, serving people, cleaninig up, so even though their monetary donation wasn't a lot, they did really pitch in.

We didn't do favors. Figured no one would want them. We had a scrapbook dsiplayed with pictures of their wedding and through the years, did a nice centerpiece in silver and light blue (light blue was their wedding color, silver os the 25th anniversary color), one of the bridesmaids still had her dress, so we displayed that... it turned out to be a very nice party. Music we just played on the stereo in the yard...background music really.

I would say for a luncheon having a decent CD player with a mix of CDs would be enough, or how about a keyboardist just playing soft backgorund music so as to not interfere with the mixing and mingling???

I wish we had thought of the slideshow idea...that sounds great too!

 

[oregonmommyof2]

I can totally understand people thinking that their kids money should go towards their education, but my situation is a bit different... I am turning 30 this year.... So for those of you doing math, my parents got married when I was 5... My Mom was 14 when she got pregnant with me... Dad is actually my step dad, but I have never called him that... He raised me... Did everything that Dad's do...

Since I am in a position along with my husband to throw them a nice party, we thought we should do it to show how much we honor and respect them... Since I was around, as was my step brother, when they got married, they didn't have a nice wedding, she didn't have a dress, they thought it was a better decision to buy their first home in a good school district for us kids... So the party is the least I could do as far as I am concerned...

If I was younger and in school, I know it would not be possible for me to throw the party that I am...

 

[DMRick]

Our kids threw us a barbecue at a campground for our 25th. We were already camping there, they joined us with their camper and tents, and they had invited our friends. The gifts were great. Some fancy nighties (which just grossed out one of my kids at the thought I would wear them, and her dad would see me in them LOL) and towels and sheets (figuring eveyone needs some nice matched sets) were the gifts of the day, with a great professional picture of my kids, from them. We played volley ball, baseball, with music playing in the background, and just visited. Just a wonderful day. I don't think there is a wrong way.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Much would depend upon what your parents like.

My parents are very musical. A harper in the background, or a violinist would be quite appropriate for the timing and their tastes.

 

[flower2222]

Hi All, OP here

Thanks for the great advice. It is a second marriage for my Mom. My siblings and I are all 30 and above, out of the house (thankfully for them with families of our own. We are doing the slide show with some of their wedding music and lots of family trips. I am trying to put the kabosh on entertainment/favors because we are trying to give them $2500. in Disney gift cards to go towards a cruise.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I can totally understand people thinking that their kids money should go towards their education, but my situation is a bit different... I am turning 30 this year.... So for those of you doing math, my parents got married when I was 5... My Mom was 14 when she got pregnant with me... Dad is actually my step dad, but I have never called him that... He raised me... Did everything that Dad's do...

Since I am in a position along with my husband to throw them a nice party, we thought we should do it to show how much we honor and respect them... Since I was around, as was my step brother, when they got married, they didn't have a nice wedding, she didn't have a dress, they thought it was a better decision to buy their first home in a good school district for us kids... So the party is the least I could do as far as I am concerned...

If I was younger and in school, I know it would not be possible for me to throw the party that I am...

Oh, how very nice. Really touched here.... Communicating these thoughts to them would be a great idea.

I like the slide show idea....

 

[oregonmommyof2]

Oh, how very nice. Really touched here.... Communicating these thoughts to them would be a great idea.

I like the slide show idea....

Oh yes, I am working on my speech... I have realized it is much easier to think these feelings and actually have them, not put them into words that give them justice... I just end up crying...