40th Anniversary help!

[CJK]

My parents are soon celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, my family is trying to plan something special for them. The problem, is that we don't know what to do! Other than throwing a party (I have doubts that they'd want this), do any of you have some suggestions? We'll only have a few hundred dollars to spend so a trip to Disney is not possible. Thanks for any info!

 

[Trish Bessette]

You mention your parents may not care for a party. How about taking family photos over the past 40 years and transferring them to a DVD or a VHS tape? You can add music as well. This is a neat gift that they can treasure forever.

You can also have family friends and relatives write a poem or note to your parents. You can also get something written from where they used to work. Collect them and put them in some sort of book.

I see you are from Canada - what about sending them down to Vermont to a Bed and Breakfast

You can tell where I'm from huh?

Good luck!

 

[Abracadabra]

Ask everyone in the family to write their favorite memory that features your parents. Then make this into a 40th anniversary "newspaper" for them, complete with headlines. You may even be able to find some old ads from newspapers from 40 years ago to paste in. It will make a wonderful keepsake for them.

 

[missypie]

You need to discuss with them whether they want a party or reception - maybe just an "open house." Both DH's parents and mine celebrated their 50th this summer. Both just had events with the immediate family. Both did something "bigger" for their 40th.

This is a very delicate issue, but some folks don't make it to their 50th. In addition, LOTS of their friends and relatives won't be around or able to travel in 10 years. I was glad that my parents didn't want a big party, because so many friends and relatives are either deceased, or unable or unwilling to travel or leave their house for any period of time. It's very sad, but true. If they think they want a party for their 50th, you might talk them into having it for their 40th instead. (You can always have another one in 10 years if they want it.)

 

[CJK]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I know what you're saying about the 40th/50th party dilema. The problem is, my mother HATES big parties. She attends other parties through gritted teeth. She considers herself anti-social. My dad, however, would really enjoy a party. We're trying to decide whether or not we should do the party thing regardless. She has had fun at some parties once she's there.........it's getting her there that's the problem. Neither parent are very sentimental either so I'm not sure if they'd like a scrapbook or something similar. I know they'd like old pictures being put onto cd or something similar. Thanks for all the ideas. We're really stumped. They're thinking of going on an all-inclusive trip for their anniversary but the family would like to do something else for them too. Hmmmm. My sister thinks we should do the party with just 20 of their closest friends in someone's house where we'd provide some entertainment. My struggle is that this is THEIR special celebration and if my mother wouldn't like a party, then should we really be throwing her one?

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, your mother wouldn't like a prty, but oyur father would. How about a small party with just their very best friends and family, and the picture CD thing? That might be a nice compromise to give them each stuff they'd enjoy.