Need ideas for parent's 50th wedding anniversary present

[floridafam]

I just don't know what to do. I want to go in on something with my brother and sister.

My Dad doesn't golf.

We were going to send them some place but my Mom is coming down here in June and they are going to Vegas for a convention in October.

They just don't do much and don't really plan a lot.

Any suggestions?

 

[PrincessDeb]

My parents celebrated their 40th this year. They asked if my brother's family and mine would sit for professional portraits and give them some. It's been years since we've done anything like that (and never with both of our families) so they really wanted that. We live in different states so it's taken some organizing!
For my aunt and uncle's 50th, there was a big family reunion at a picnic grove in NH and people flew in from all over the country to see them. It was a complete surprise to them and they loved it.

Deb

 

[floridafam]

We live in different states so I don't think we could do a portrait. 2 of my brother's passed away in the last few years and I'm just not sure it would feel right being in a portrait without them.

They are having a family get together this summer but we can't go to Michigan this year.

I'm stumped.

I'm still looking at places in Northern Michigan for them to go for a weekend.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[SleepyMom]

OK, keep in mind I am a big picture person... so my ideas always seem to involve that somehow

How about getting together all the family photos you can, all the way back to their wedding and the early years with the kids and making a slide show for them. Add music and ta-da. That way you would be including your brother's who are no longer here and it will be something your parents can watch anytime they want in the years to come.

 

[tw1nsmom]

What about getting them tickets for Cirque de Soleil in Las Vegas? There are also a lot of nice/pricy restaurants there so I hear. Maybe you could give them some money for gambling/entertainment.

 

[jennyl772003]

Is there a way for you to get hold of one of their wedding photos? You could have it restored and framed for them.

 

[floridafam]

I'm getting pictures together for their Anniversary party. I never thought about making a movie. I could have my DH scan the photos and then make a movie with his imovie.

I also like the Cirque idea. I will check that out.

I thought about getting them a gift card to Mandalay Bay (where the convention is at) but I wasn't sure because all of their meals, etc. are paid for while at the convention.

My Dad is so old fashioned and doesn't do anything special for himself. He's very simple so it is very hard to think of something appropriate for the both of them.

Keep the ideas coming.

 

[INDISMOM]

Is there an church they belong to, or a charity that might be significant to them? Maybe a donation in honor of them?

 

[Choc_marg]

My parents celebrated their 40th last November. I made them a book of letters from their friends/family. They LOVED it. I went thought a website called http://celebrateahero.com You can send e-mails to any of their friends/family that are online. If they aren't, you can have them mail their thoughts to you and you can type the letters in yourself. Once you have collected your letters, the company will print & bind the book. The pages are printed on nice paper & bound in a 3 post leather book.

Another place that does something similar is http://gostorybooking.com This one has templates of different types of books. You plug in the pics & word & they publish a library quality book. Very nice job!

 

[LynnTH]

My parents are also hard to buy for. They are both retired and it gets harder and harder to try and figure out what to get them. One year my brothers and I went together and got them a bunch of different gift cards and put them in a basket. We had gotten ones like Target, Rainbow Foods, Home Depot, Movie Cards, Golf Certificates, a bunch of different Restaurants, Casino Certificate. They loved it and they could share some and some they each got for themselves. Each certificate was $25-$50. Just an idea.

 

[ceiligh1]

For my grandparents 50th we all (grandparents, my parents, my uncle and my sister as well as myself) went to a hot springs resort. We played in the pools, relaxed, looked at old movies ect. At the end we gave them a photo album that was engraved with pictures from there marriage up to the anniversary. They loved it.

FOr their 65th this year my mom is taking all the old photos which are on slides and then scanning them into the computer and making a DVD of them.

My grandmother loves family photos so I might make a quilt with photos transfered to the squares. YOu could also send some quilt blocks or paper to other family members and friends for them to write their memories of the couple on. SOrt of like a scrapbook/quilt combo.

My grandparents were in good health until this year so they never wanted a party because they didnt want their friends to find out how old they really were. If your parents are not like that then maybe a party to celebrate.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I don't have suggestions other than what you've gotten, I just wanted to see what ideas were here, as my parents celebrate their 50th this year also.

My DS and DD are doing the slide show idea, and my sisters and I are probably going to make ressies at a B&B in Indiana at a resort area, that is within driving distance for them. They also went to Las Vegas earlier this year, and are taking a trip to Michigan in August.

Wish I had other ideas as well!

 

[WDWNewbie]

If you don't have the time or technology to do a slideshow, you could always make copies of the pictures, then cut them out carefully and make a collage and have it framed.

I have done both the collage and DVD. Some preferred the DVD and some preferred the collage.

Good luck!

PS If you want to do the collage, write back and I'll give you some tips on making a great collage!