Fun/Creative Ideas for Mom's 85th Birthday?

[denisem]

Mom turns 85 in January. She IS an original: picture Rose Nylund from "Golden Girls" crossed with Granny Clampett .

She's well-loved within our HUGE extended family and we'd like to throw her a big surprise party. However, I'm wondering about requesting some.....I dunno......kinda more personalized/fun/meaningful ideas in lieu of "regular" gifts from guests.

Anyhow...I was thinking in terms of asking guests to share a special memory/experience/old photos of mom and compiling it into a "memory" book for her to enjoy later.

Is this tacky or stupid? Or do y'all have some additional creative ideas??

Thanks in advance!

Denise < --- putting her trust into the hands of DIS folks

 

[newmousecateer]

How about give her a picture collage of all of the children and grandchildren?

 

[lilboo]

I've been considering this as an anniversary type gift-but maybe it'll work for you?

If anyone is good with a digital video camera and editing-take all the photos and letters/stories and compile them in a video tribute. Have mom's niece do a voiceover recalling a favorite auntie memory from 1973 while showing relevant select photos or videos and music from that era. You get the idea..

At any rate-happy birthday to her- you're lucky to still have your mom and she's lucky to have you.

 

[crazyme5kids]

We did a memory book for my parents 50th anniversary and they loved it! I think it is a nice way to honor an older person. Also it is often so hard to get a gift for someone older, because their needs and wants are not as great. I know my parents and grandmother always say they don't need anything, that they already have what they want and a lot of what they have they want to get rid of LOL!

 

[amid chaos]

I did a memory book for my MIL.

Send family and friends a page from an album or scrapbook with a self addressed envelope to return the page to you.
They should put pictures, write stories or poems, collages or anything else they desire on their album page.
When you get all the pages back you put the album together. I bought some scrapbooking stickers and finished some pages.

it was a hit and everyone enjoyed looking at it.