50th Anniversary Gift Ideas Needed!

[Newfie2000]

Okay I know my budget friends will think of some good answers. My parents are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this weekend! I do have a surprise party planned and a reception back at their home with a wedding cake, sweets table, etc. We also have a dinner cruise planned for them the following day, and we are flying my brother in from out of state to join in the events. But I just feel I need to buy them at least something! When you get to the milestone there are not a lot of people left to celebrate with them and although I have done the best I can, I still feel that they need to have some gifts to open. I just can not think of anything appropriate... and I have been trying for months. Now I am down to the last minute and am panicked. Anyone have any ideas?? I am open to anything, be it humorous, practical, inspiring! Thanks!

 

[MickeyP]

A tree w/ 50 one$ attached. They can plant the tree in their yard. If they are religious, a dogwood tree.

 

[powellrj]

we are doing a scrapbook and a DVD for our parents. We have until June, but I do need to get started on it.

My DM is cleaning out everyday, so they really don't need anymore stuff, but she does enjoy pictures and when the kids have DVDs of things they have done, they watch them again and again.

 

[clori]

we took all the grandkids (only 6) to a Sears and gave my parents a 11x14 portrait of the kids ranging from age 2-20. At my parents anniversary party done at a small family restaurant we had my cousin who is a professional photographer take a family pictures using our digital cameras with grandkids, kids/spouses and my parents to give to them a bit later. My sister took all the slides from my parents wedding and had them made into a video which was shown at the party.

 

[feedindy]

For my grandparents' 50th, we got a double frame (I think it was either a 50th anniversary frame or we had it engraved, but even just a nice fram will work). On one side, we put their wedding picture. The other side just had the invitation, but we later replaced it with a picture taken that night.

 

[UMTerp]

For my in-laws 50th we offered to create and send the invitations. In each we added a self-addressed stamped envelope and asked everyone to send us a note, pictures, etc. to put in a scrapbook. I got a nice leather album and some scrapbooking paper. I attached the notes, pictures, etc to the paper and put in the album. First page was a copy of the invitation, second was their wedding picture. They were very happy with the final results. We presented it to them at the party.

Have fun!

UMTerp

 

[Plantlady]

For my grandparents' 50th, they were given a clock, that had a lot of wood around the face, and all of their close friends signed it. It's still hanging in their living room (20+ years later).

For their 70th (a couple years ago), we put together a movie on a dvd, starting with them, moving into the kids, then grandkids, then great grandkids. It was all put to music, which is the backbone of them.. they are musicians, and they gave the gift of music to each of us. That was the point of the movie.

We also put together a book. I asked each family member to write down their favorite memory, with photos, if they would like.. email, or mail. Then, I took all of the pages down (added more photos), to kinkos, had it bound. Then they had a book, that showed how much impact they had on each of us.

 

[tammy1210]

We also did the double frame thing for my grandparents 50th - they had a very small wedding at her house, so there was no invitation, but we just had the photo of the two of them on their wedding day,and then one taken recently. For their 60th this year, the whole family - all 18 of us- went on a three day vacation together over Christmas - while there we finally got a photo of us all together and for their anniversary in Feb. we blew it up and had it framed. They loved it - btw, I think you've already done a lot having the party be a surprise and all -have fun!

 

[kfeuer]

A few years ago my DH's aunt/uncle hosted a huge family reunion for their
50th anniversary. They were adamant about not wanting any presents, but of course we wanted to do something to say thank you (they paid for everybody's hotel).

What I ended up doing was taking tons of pictures at the family reunion with my digital camera. When we got home, I loaded them onto the computer and made them a photo book at mypublisher.com (lots of other sites do this, too). It came out fabulous, and they loved it. The only downside is that you can't give it to them at the party. However, I know the people we gave it to really loved getting the surprise in the mail, and it let them relive the party.

 

[Newfie2000]

Thank you all so much for the ideas! I certainly wish I had asked you all earlier when I could of done more along the creative lines! I plan on taking lots of pictures and am thinking that although there is no way I could get one done by this weekend, maybe by their anniversary next year I can complete a scrapbook! The photobook sounds awesome also. I love the tree and $50.00 bills idea, but they already have a slew of trees on their property... but am thinking I might just try this with a rosebush instead! But... I still really need something I can wrap and present to them during the party. I had bought some beautiful gold wrapping paper and a neat bow a while back and can't believe I can not figure something out to put in it! I love the frame ideas also, but I do not have a wedding picture of them to put in one and I hate the thought of giving them an empty frame. I have also held off on the frame idea because I am thinking that it might be a pretty popular gift and I would hate for them to wind up with several of them. Keep the ideas coming - I know there is a solution out there somewhere!

 

[feedindy]

What about an anniversary ornament? Lots of places sell them year round and it could be a nice keepsake to add to a Christmas tree (if they do that).

 

[toesmom]

After 50 years you've probably accumulated a lot of trinkets...

my suggestions would be:

gift card to local restaurants for dinner (even mom likes to sometimes eat out)

or

have family photo taken and have it framed (professionally of course)