Did you throw your own anniversary party? Or plan to?

[maslex]

It never crossed my mind to throw my own anniversary party but now I'm having thoughts running through my head.

I was just on Facebook and saw a bunch of photos from an aquaintance who had a Tiki party for their 25th. It was a back yard thing.

My husband's father and his wife threw their own 25th at a restaurant last year (was set up like a regular wedding reception.....DJ, buffet, cake, etc)

His mother and her husband actually spent their 25th on the same cruise we took last year.

And I remember my parents went on a Bermuda cruise back in '95 for their 25th. We also threw them a little backyard BBQ shin-dig.

Anyhow, our 25th is 6 years away and now I'm tossing around the idea of throwing a "Halloween" party. We had a traditional wedding back in '93 and everyone always said how much fun they had.

Throughout the years, with all these wedding shows that have been on TV, I always said that if we were to do it all again, I'd like it to be different. We got married the week before Halloween & it's one of our favorite holidays, so I figured that would be a cool way to go. I have seen Halloween weddings on TV and they look like something that would be great to do.

So, I'm wondering if it would be too tacky to throw our own party (Halloween style). We would have the guests dress up in costume, have Halloween music, probably a "candy" bar (that way, people can go trick or treating LOL), Halloween/fall decorations, etc. We would have a buffet & music too.

What do you think? We wouldn't be looking for gifts (don't need anything) but would like to get family/friends together. I'd also like to get all the original wedding party to attend but haven't talked to a couple of them in many years. Thoughts?

 

[believenfaith]

Ironically, I had the same idea pop in my head over the weekend. However, we will be celebrating out 25th next year.

Our anniversary is in July and we have a great backyard for entertaining. I thought about having a party to celebrate as I doubt none of our siblings would take it on to plan and our children will just be 14 & 15 years old next summer. But, like you, don't want to come across as tacky in some way. I would just love to get together with the people closest to us and celebrate what has been (or by then will be) a great 25 years.

 

[bgirldeb]

If you make it clear that it's not a gift grab, I don't see a problem with it

 

[Disney Doll]

Why not just throw a Halloween party and when people get there tell them you are also celebrating 25 years of marriage?

 

[teller80]

I threw my own 25th anniversary party, but I made it absolutely clear that we wanted no gifts. The thing we enjoy most is being with our friends, so thats what we did. I made dinner and we had a great time.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are coming up on 22yrs.

I think for my 25th, I would like to go on vacation instead of throw a party. But then again that would be special for us since we rarely vacation. I would like to go to Paris, France or somewhere special. We will see.

If YOU want a party, go for it.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I LOVE themed parties. I would LOVE to throw and Go to a Halloween themed anniversary party.

 

[powellrj]

We went to WDW for our 25th with our 2 youngest kids. It was really a nice trip and I think we will do the same next year for our 35th.

My mom insisted on a huge party that she planned for their 50th. I offered to have a party for them, but mine wasn't the kind she wanted so she planned it herself and had me and my brother pay for it. I will be honest and say their party left such a bad taste in my mouth I will never have a party for any of ours.

If you want a party, have a party!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

My IN LAWS threw parties at 25, 35, 40, 50, 60 REALLY!

I think it is extremely conceited to throw a party for yourself or to think that people just want to keep celebrating YOUR life as they travel from miles around to be with you. I know many people feel obligated to go to these things and in my opinion it is an imposition to keep having them. Of course they write no gifts but who ever pays attention to that? Maybe a 50th but the rest of the time should be family only.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

We will be celebrating our 25th at WDW in October . . .just me and DH and our annual F&W/Anniversary trip . . .

Our kids are 23 and 19 and we already told them that we do not expect them to throw us any kind of party . . .we want to be low key and celebrate at our favorite vacation destination . . .dining at Le Cellier and attending MNSSHP, walking hand in hand back to our room at BW and just being together . . .

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I never really thought of throwing my own anniversary party. A nice quiet night with my spouse is more our speed. For our 25th, maybe a trip for two similar to our honeymoon.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, go for it!!!!

Any reason for a part is always good!

As long as, as mentioned, it isn't a more formal 'bring a gift' thing.

 

[Hannathy]

Why not just throw a Halloween party and when people get there tell them you are also celebrating 25 years of marriage?

Exactly, bring out a few bottles of champagne and ask everyone to have a toast with you in celebration of your 25th.


But have a Halloween party.

 

[beaucoup]

We threw a SMALL backyard birthday party for DH / anniversary for us. Instructed everyone NO gifts. Just immediate family a friends. Just a normal weekend party. Nothing special.

DH's brother-in-law threw their own 25th anniversary party at a club (bar) & renewed their vows along with a lot of traditional wedding reception aspects. Themed as Hawaii since they couldn't afford a trip there. Tropical wedding attire for them complete with change of clothes. We had to buy tropical print shirts. Wasn't a fan of that requirement. Have never worn it again. I can't remember if we brought a gift, but I do remember some people did. Something about the day turned me off for some reason. Can't nail it. Maybe it was all the professing of love. ROFL We are married. We get it. We were there 25 years ago. lol

Our 25th is next year. I have no plans to hold a party. Doubt anyone will be having one for us. We plan on taking a large trip somewhere next year instead.

No kids. I really don't think anyone else cares that we've been married for X number of years except us. Sure have a party, for party's sake, make it a fun party, lay off the "we are wonderful because we have been married 25 yrs & love love love each other". lol As for the costumes, make it optional. Don't be surprised if some people may not want to attend your costume party, but might want to attend your anniversary party. And not everyone may wish to attend your anniversary costume party at all. Like wedding guests or wedding party you haven't seen in years, but still want to be there. And might just send best wishes.

I realize people are busy & have their own lives. Not everyone's life plans revolve around ME. My mother needs to learn that lesson. She thinks everyone will change their plans or make their plans around what SHE wants.

 

[beaucoup]

Exactly, bring out a few bottles of champagne and ask everyone to have a toast with you in celebration of your 25th.


But have a Halloween party.

 

[Scurvy]

Why not just throw a Halloween party and when people get there tell them you are also celebrating 25 years of marriage?

I agree. If you want to have a party, you absolutely should have a party. Having a big Halloween party is a great idea! But if you don't want people to feel they ought to bring gifts, don't make it an anniversary party. If you want to mention your anniversary during the party, that's fine. As another poster mentioned, bring out some champagne and have a toast - maybe you and your husband could actually toast your guests and thank them for being a part of your life during your first 25 years of marriage, and tell them you hope they will be a part of your life for the next 25 as well!

I personally don't like it when people throw parties for themselves. Throwing a big anniversary bash so everyone else will celebrate you just rubs me the wrong way. Add to that the fact that many people see anniversary parties as gift giving occasions, and I think that throwing your own anniversary party really isn't the best thing to do. But throwing a big party and making it about some other occasion is a good idea - and as a bonus it doesn't seem at all like a gift grab.

 

[plutotek]

I actually threw a surprise anniversary party for DW for our 20th. Got her BFF/Matron of Honor to come up, had the backyard full of family and friends, and arranged it w/o her knowing. Even went so far as to 'arrange' a weekend away that was 'ruined' by a call from my boss stating I needed to come to the office. We arrived home to a house full of well-wishers and she was a blubbering idiot.

 

[duffy]

We also spent our 25th at Disney World, took our youngest, who hadn't been there since she was 4. She was 12 on the anniversary trip. We also took my niece, just because.

We're having our 30th anniversary there in Feb. We invited all 3 daughters, significant others and grandchildren.

We could just as easily have thrown a party. If we do, maybe for our 35th?-I would just write "no gifts, please" on the invitation. Our family and friends all know when our anniversary is, and they'd know what the occasion was, so I wouldn't bother to pretend it was anything other than what it was.

If I got an invitation that said "no gifts", I would not take one. Pretty simple and straight forward!

 

[duffy]

I actually threw a surprise anniversary party for DW for our 20th. Got her BFF/Matron of Honor to come up, had the backyard full of family and friends, and arranged it w/o her knowing. Even went so far as to 'arrange' a weekend away that was 'ruined' by a call from my boss stating I needed to come to the office. We arrived home to a house full of well-wishers and she was a blubbering idiot.

Aww! You rock!

 

[crz4mm2]

We went on a cruise for our 30th. Paid our kids' way and renewed our vows on board. We paid for the party on board too. It was fantastic!