Okay, I need your guys' creative help!!!

[Fishbone†]

Friday (July 4th) is my mom's 60th birthday. We wanted to do something special, but not huge.....well sort of huge...... we were going to fly my nephews up as a surprise, but that fell through last night, and now we're 4 days from D-day, and looking for ideas.

A couple of things:

My mom does NOT like big parties, or surprises that would embarrass or humiliate her. It would not be funny or fun to her.

Her birthday is on the 4th, and that eliminates some things because of the holiday.

Does anyone have any "cute" or "fun" big surprise ideas?? A couple of things we thought of, but don't know how to pull off is
1) A drumline or small "parade" to come perform..... I don't know if we know anyone who isn't busy that day.

2) A singing telegram.... but it seriously would have to be classy and NOT embarrassing or risque'!!! Maybe a quartet type thing.... again, the Holiday presents a problem.

Alright guys.... put your creative hats on and help me out. Any ideas or even ways we could pull one of our ideas off??

THANK YOU!!

 

[debster812]

Any parades nearby? See if you can find anyone marching or driving in a parade and have a sign made up:

HAPPY B-DAY FISHY†'s MOM!!! (put her real name in there). That way no one else but you guys, and the people surrounding you will know it is for her.

Let me think some more. I did make a really cute American Flag Rice Krispie Treat for DS's graduation. I can tell you about that too, if you want

 

[binny]

oh thats a cute idea!

Can you find out whos on schedule for any parades or anything?

Maybe you could call a barbershop quartet that is performing and ask them to sing happy birthday to her?



What a great day for a Birthday!

 

[Saffron]

Do you have any old family movies or slides around that you could project onto a screen or a sheet on the garage wall or something, something maybe from her childhood or family picnics? You could buy one of those hand crank ice cream makers, invite the family and neighbors and over for a home made ice cream party and a look back with the slides or film.

I know, I'm not very creative.

You could ballon her! I think you'll have a hard time having someone deliver anything on the 4th though.

 

[Saffron]

Are you having other family members over? You could do a "In This Year ..." sort of thing, where family member dress as celebrities that were born that year and who tell about the events of that year? For instance, Janis Joplin, Oliver North, Robert De Niro, Jonni Mitchell, Mama Cass Elliot were all born that year. You could all pick someone to dress up as and tell about something that happened that year.

Oh my gosh. My ideas are getting worse. I'll quit now.

 

[Fishbone†]

NO SAFFRON.... that was good!! I bet the grandchildren would LOVE to do that!! And I love the homemade ice cream idea!!! And yes, my whole family will be there.... I suppose around 30 people.

I'm still looking for a parade.....anyone want to come up??

Oh, and Binny if I knew where to find a Barbershop quartet, I'd pay A LOT of money, because that is the idea of the hour!!!

 

[Dream]

Fishy...do you have a local Lyons club, Moose Lodge, Kiwanis etc that might have a barbershop quartet?? How about the music department in a church or school??

I'll keep thinking....

 

[Saffron]

ROTFLOL! How about this one?

Place a sign on the front yard early in the morning that says, "Honk X amount of times, it's her birthday today!" That's kind of a parade!

 

[Saffron]

Okay, one last one, then I'm finished, for real.

If you can't do the slides/movies, how about a "Memory Bouquet"? Have each guest fill out a little note with their favorite memory of or with your mom, or about what makes her special to them, that can be attached to a flower, live or silk, place them in a vase, then at the end of the night while you're all cranking out your ice cream, you can present her with the bouquet?

Done!

 

[Goofyposter]

Fishsticks....here's some thoughts.....

On the line of finding entertainment on short notice;

1) Any local performances by entertainers in your area that day?
If so, try contacting them as askabout booking another gig...they might be receptive if the timing is close and your time needs are short.

2) Any convention centers with on staff event coordinators? They might have some leads on entertainers

3) Any in state circuses? Call them...often they had per deium people that can be rented out (I once rented a calliope from one)

4) Local High School/colleges with music departments? Often the music directors know of local groups who play year round

5) Any professional music halls? While more expensive due to the union...it's possible they'd have someone

6) Can you play the kazoo while underwater? I'm thinking that's something she'd long remember!

 

[powellrj]

This isn't much, but you could buy an ad and put her picture in the newspaper, If she is shy you could use a childhood picture and not use her name, just something like quess who has a big day today or something simple like that.

 

[Saffron]

Oooh, ooooh! Good one!

Whoops! Broke my own word. Nah, not really, I didn't post any ideas.

 

[debster812]

UNDERWATER KAZOO

I like the ad in the paper idea too, with a picture of her as a child. That way the holiday will not interfere. Got any pics???

 

[Fishbone†]

Thanks everyone!!! We absolutely fell in love with Saffron's memory bouquet, and its well on it's way to being full!!! HIP HIP HOORAY FOR SAFFRON.

The ad was a good idea too, except when you live in a small town and the paper only comes out once a week, and the ad would have had to be in already..... plus, I'm not sure it "fits" her as an idea..... she's more sentimental.

THANK YOU AGAIN.... I may need some of these ideas for someone or sometime else.

 

[debster812]

What does Maggie win for having the best idea?????

You will at least have to take a picture of the bouquet and post it for us. (I'll post it for you, even if you just want to email it to me)

 

[Fishbone†]

What does Maggie win for having the best idea?????

I won't pick on her or cause trouble in her corner for an entire 24 hours!!