Parents' 50th Anniversary - help!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I knew it was coming. I also know my parents were married for 4 years before my brother was born. I did the math: 1962-4=a 1958 wedding year. So I figured I had a few years left to plan something. Nothing big because when my Aunt & Uncle had their 50th Anniversary party, my brothers and I were told in no uncertain terms that we were to do "NOTHING OF THE SORT!" As a matter of fact, we were told to plain old do NOTHING!

So I get an email from my Aunt last week reminding me that their anniversary is this year! Then it hit me I was born in 1962, my older brother was born in 1960 making the wedding year 1956!

They got married in August, but we're having a family reunion picnic this coming weekend and I'd like to do something special for them at the reunion while everyone is already gathered together. Any suggestions on something I could do that won't take much time to put together?

Had I known, I could have snuck some pictures out while we were up there over the 4th of July weekend, then scanned them into the computer and had a little slideshow playing while the picnic was going on. But I was still thinking 2008 at that time, and my parents live 3 hours away so it's not like I can just run over and get the pictures quick - drat!

They do have a picture album of their wedding and the first years of their lives together, so I could sneak that out and bring it to the picnic, but I'd/they'd be devastated if anything happened to it, so I'm not sure that's a good idea. I was also thinking about having a banner made that we could string from the pavilion at the park....

Any other ideas I can pull together real quickly?

[Craftlady]

I would get a nice sheet cake and do the banner.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I would get a nice sheet cake and do the banner.

Thanks for the quick reply, but I guess I forgot to mention that my dad is a diabetic. I thought about getting a cake, but wanted him to be able to partake of whatever I get if it's food related. Anyone know....do they make sheet cakes with artificial sugar?

[smokey the elder]

I've seen sugar-free bakery in the supermarket. You might be able to get a sugar-free cake.

[Vermontcat]

Debbie, I hope I can help you since my parents just celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year.
If you can't get the whole wedding album then try to get a couple of framed photos of their wedding day to display. I also framed a recent photo of my parents together to put on display.
I also went to a party store and got a guest book that said 50th Anniversary on it and had everyone at the party sign it and write brief messages for them to look over later. Also at the party store we got a couple of bunches of gold balloons (for their golden anniversary) and a couple of mylar balloons that said Happy 50th Anniversary on them. After the party I let the grandkids each get a balloon to keep. I also found a banner that said Congratulations on it so I think that the banner idea is great, even better with balloons.
Also take lots of photos or bring a couple of those disposable cameras for people to use.
I would check with the local bakery/grocery store about the cake, they should be able to come up with something sugar-free for a diabetic or maybe do a tray full of sugar-free cookies/brownies or something else instead.

You should also search for Lut's thread about her parent's recent Anniversary, I think she made a nice photo collage as a gift to her parents and she posted photos of it too.
Good luck and have fun!

[Dorothy39]

Debbie, I hope I can help you since my parents just celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year.
If you can't get the whole wedding album then try to get a couple of framed photos of their wedding day to display. I also framed a recent photo of my parents together to put on display.
I also went to a party store and got a guest book that said 50th Anniversary on it and had everyone at the party sign it and write brief messages for them to look over later. Also at the party store we got a couple of bunches of gold balloons (for their golden anniversary) and a couple of mylar balloons that said Happy 50th Anniversary on them. After the party I let the grandkids each get a balloon to keep. I also found a banner that said Congratulations on it so I think that the banner idea is great, even better with balloons.
Also take lots of photos or bring a couple of those disposable cameras for people to use.
I would check with the local bakery/grocery store about the cake, they should be able to come up with something sugar-free for a diabetic or maybe do a tray full of sugar-free cookies/brownies or something else instead.

You should also search for Lut's thread about her parent's recent Anniversary, I think she made a nice photo collage as a gift to her parents and she posted photos of it too.
Good luck and have fun!

Your ideas are wonderful!!!!!! I did this very thing for my parents as well as for my in laws!!!! I also feel that caseysmom offered a wonderful suggestion, I would melt inside if my children did this on my 50th!!!

[Dorothy39]

Your parents have my hardy Congratulations on their Golden Anniversary!!!!

Did they have a favorite "song"?,

The 50's were fabulous of course, Elvis, The Platters, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Frankie Lyman, made their debut on records that year.

Perhaps you can also look up trends and headlines for that year and present them with some wonderful trivia.

Remember to get some wonderful pictures of them with the family so they can add them to their Wedding album!!!

Have a great time at their 50th!!!
I hope these suggestions came in handy.

[caseysmom]

I think if you and your brother got up and spoke about how much your parents mean to you that would mean more than anything you could do.

[Randi]

First of all - Congratulations on your parents 50th Anniversary! What luck they dedided to get married, or we wouldn't know you.

In Denmark, friends neighbors and family get together the evening before (very late, as the couple are not supposed to know ), and they put up this thing (see attached pics), then, at 6 o'clock in the morning, they all show up in front of the house and start singing. Then, everyone is invited inside for breakfast.

I've been to ONE of these do's in my life - Good grief - getting up that early is something I would only do on a very special occasion, but it was fun anyway! Someone has got to get a video of it!

Sorry, I don't have any ideas for a gift, but browse around and I'm sure you'll get ideas. A decorated cake is a must! Do they like travelling? A voucher? for a trip somewhere?

Oh well, I can't seem to attach the pics, will send them to you later.