Need ideas on planning a surprise 40th for my DH

[maslex]

DH will be 40 this November. I really want to put together a party for him not only because he's turning the big 4-0 but all our married life he has planned & paid for every vacation (sometimes 2x a year) he's never really asked for anything. And he's never wanted a small b-day party with just family around for just cake or whatever. I'm sure he'd say that he'd never want a big party but once he got there, I'm sure he'd have a blast and be glad that I actually threw him a party.

With that said, we are not fancy-schmancy kind of people. We don't need a big elaborate hall with big elaborate food. I've been thinking of just renting a local VFW type hall and having everyone (close family anyways) make a few dishes and have a buffet style meal. I will be inviting about 50 people but I know not everyone would show up, so we would probably have 35-40? Here's what I'm thinking of having....
tossed salad
potato salad
rolls/butter
deviled eggs
baked ziti
swedish meatballs or meatballs/sauce
baked beans
finger sandwiches
sweet/sour keilbasa
maybe get some KFC chicken?
And then I would get a big sheet cake

Would you add to this menu or change anything? Any ideas would be appreciated.

I'm also thinking of having quite a few basket raffles too. Our family/friends are fans of them as well, so I'm sure these would be a big hit.

Here's what I'm thinking
1-Automotive (think car wash, air fresheners, bucket, sponges, etc)
2-Liquor (whether it's bottles of wine, cases of beer, alcohol gift packs)
3-Lottery Tickets
4-A money tree of some sort
5-Bath/Body Works (lotions, powders, soaps, etc)
6-Yankee Candle (candles, room spray, car air fresheners, etc)
7-Movie (couple movies, popcorn, candy, soda, fleece throw)
8-M&M's (DH's favorite!!! So I was thinking of doing one will all kinds of M&M)
9-Gift Card's (I wouldn't put them all in one basket--or should I) I was thinking of getting maybe 3-4 different ones and then doing a combination one of movie theater/restaurant.
10-Adult (you can use your imagination here LOL)

And no, I won't be buying everything for all of these baskets, some family/friends will donate a basket or two to help out.

I was also told that you could take pictures into like CVS and they can take all the pics and turn them into a CD so we can have a slide show. Has anyone ever done this? How does it work? How much would it be?

If you have any other ideas or suggestions or would change anything, please let me know. I've never done anything like this before and would really like to pull this off for my DH. He really deserves it. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[disykat]

I've never heard of a basket raffle at a birthday party before. Are those prizes? I've only heard of a basket raffle as a fundraiser. (Though now that I'm typing this I remember having this conversation before with someone on the DIS about the word "raffle" - maybe it was you?)

It sounds like a great party IF you really think your dh will enjoy it. (I admit to being embarassed/irritated by my surprise 40'th - but I don't think my friends or family have any clue since I had to be polite. I just let the party be about them, not me, and went with the flow.)

 

[maslex]

Even though he'd be red in the face and embarrased when he walked through the door, he'd really enjoy himself and be thankful for the whole experience.

As for the basket raffle, I've always seen them at birthday parties around here (well atleast the big birthdays 30, 40, 50, etc) Maybe it's a regional thing, I don't know. But basically you have x-amount of baskets that are raffled off and then the $$ goes to the b-day person.

 

[maslex]

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[golfgal]

Check with the hall that you are using that you can bring in outside food like that. Many have rules about that and you might have to use a caterer because of state food handling rules.

 

[maslex]

Check with the hall that you are using that you can bring in outside food like that. Many have rules about that and you might have to use a caterer because of state food handling rules.

I had thought that myself but my SIL has used the hall a few times before and you are allowed to bring your own stuff in. Thanks though.

 

[disneystacy]

I am also planning a 40 th for my hubby and having about 40 - 50 people, all friends though. We are having it in a sports/pub/tavern type place(has a private room) and doing heavy appetizers(wings, veggie platter, sandwhiches etc), beer, wine and soda. I have to say it is very reasonable and no work for me.
Your menu looks good, I am just way past doing large parties that I have to set up, take down, cook, entertain. It is worth the extra money to have someone else take care of all that.
I never heard of the raffle idea, must be a regional thing. We do usually give favors for attending parties, still working on what I will be giving out.

 

[Docwoods]

Chiming in here-are you SURE your husband would enjoy a party of this nature? Maybe he truly would be appalled by such an event.Sounds like he likes to travel-what about a suprise trip to a destination he'd love-Las Vegas?the Islands?I realize there are regional traditions,but a glorified potluck doesn't seem very festive for such a milestone.

 

[Lorix2]

I did this 2 years ago for my DH. I also rented the local VFW hall and had about 50 people with the same of most of the food you are planning. We had so much food left over, we were sending it back home with people.

I also wanted a CD made and viewed. I picked out about 22 pictures I think and theme song was "Remember When" by Alan Jackson.

I started with his baby pic and made sure every person in our immediate families were included. I included pics of him as a kid, teen and when we met. My faves were our wedding day, the days our kids were born, the kids as they were growing up with us out on our boat, fishing, swimming and other special events and ended it with a recent picture of him and I.

I had my sister who lives in CT, put it all together and dedicated to him in writing, so the opening was "To my husband, my best friend, my everything...Happy 40th Birthday" and at the end she included personalized wishes and comments from his parents, siblings and our kids.

There wasn't a dry eye in the whole place. I still cannot watch it without bawling. It's so touching and I almost didn't do it because I didn't know how, but my Dsis offered and did an incredible job. It's a wonderful keepsake.

Professional places were charging $2.00 per picture for their CD's. My Dsis was able to do it by herself on her own PC, music and all. We brought a laptop to the hall and projected it on the wall.

I also hired a DJ.

Isn't the planning so much fun

 

[Bearvet]

DH just celebrated his 50th - I gave him a trip to Pebble Beach (he's a golfer). He and his brother had an amazing time and he told me I never have to do anything for his birthday again because it was so good. He did not want a party and certainly not a surprise one! You have to do what you think your DH would like.

My 50th is next year and I want to go to Europe.....

 

[maslex]

Yeah, I know he'd really enjoy the party. Embarrassed at first, but he'll have fun. He'd get a kick out of it.

I've actually been talking with a few family members/friends about getting some pictures together for the CD. Someone told me that we could do it ourselves instead of going to like CVS or something, so I think that's what we're going to do.

And someone else mentioned how fun it is to plan a party.......I've always been the type that LOVES to plan stuff like this so even though it's been only 1-2 days since I thought of throwing the party, I'm having a blast. LOL I LOVE making lists and getting ideas and putting it all down. It's going to be a long 10 months (party will be in Nov) but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end.

And like I mentioned before, the basket raffle thing must be a regional thing (or maybe it's a family/friend thing, IDK) I know when people around here start talking about parties (whether it's a birthday, anniversary, jack/jill, etc they ask if there's going to be a basket raffle. Just seems normal to me. LOL