My paresnt 45th wedding anniversary - what to do?

[Antonia]

My parents have been married 45 years - or they will have come February 14th. My mom has emphysema and is not in the best of health. My dad's health is pretty good. I think we should do something for their anniversary to celebrate it. My brother says let's wait til the 50th. I'd hate to wait and then one of them not be here for the 50th. I was thinking of a little dinner for them and invite some friends/relatives. Nothing big. What do you all think? My parents are not travelers or I would give them a weekend away. They would hate that. That is why I'm thinking along the lines of a dinner. I wish they would have gotten married in the spring or summer and then we would have a cookout. That's the type of people they are - plain and simple. I am racking my brain over this. My brother will chip in, he just thinks we're 5 years too early.

 

[mommytotwo]

What if you did a themed dinner. Since you are wishing for a spring/summer weather, why not a luau. Make leis, put together tropical drinks, play some hawaiian music, get some hawaiian foods.... that may take your minds off of the winter blues for the night.

 

[Antonia]

Now a themed dinner is sounding good. I don't have a lot of time to pull this off. I could use the social hall of our church.

 

[marybet]

I would do it now, no reason you can't do it again on their 50th. A small dinner party sounds like a great idea, good luck.

 

[Deesknee]

one piece of experience. The one thing parents want more than anything (including anniversary parties) is for all their children to get along.

what ever you & brother decide, decide it together with no hurt feelings.

 

[Rowena]

Why don't you, brother and any othersiblingskids (I don't know, just checking) get together with them for an early dinner out (doubt they want to be out too late) and have something nice, quiet and low key? I'm only 37 and I'd like this more than a party. Well, maybe if the kids bought me flowers and enlarged a favorite wedding photo or something. But just time with them, their families and not a lot of hoo-ha is what I'd want.

 

[coinkc]

For my parent's 40th wedding anniversary my brother and sisters and i threw them a surprise party. Now neither of my parents particularly like surprises but we knew that if we told them about it they would say "Oh we don't need a party. Don't spend the money, time, etc." Well, they absolutely loved it! We had a smaller version of their wedding cake and invited as many people as we could who had actually been at their wedding plus their new friends. We used the same color decorations as they had used at their wedding as well. We also decorated their car like newlyweds with signs that said "Just Married...40 years ago!" We also had a professional portrait of us 7 kids done plus one of all the grandkids. We had them framed and gave them to them at the party.

We too had thought of waiting until their 50th but am so glad we didn't. You see, three years later, two days before their 43rd anniversary my mom was diagnosed with cancer and she passed away 9 weeks later. I can still remember the look on my mom's face when she realized that all her friends and family were there to celebrate her and my dads special day!

 

[Antonia]

I loved hearing about the surprise party for your parents and decorating their car! What a cute idea!!!! Thanks so much for your input. I've been so busy my brain can't think of cute ideas like that.

 

[tidoublegger]

My inlaws will be married 45 years next month also. We're going to a nice restaurant with the kids and their spouses. I am at a loss as to what to get them for a gift. I'll let you know if I come up with something creative!

 

[canwegosoon]

I could have written the same post...my parents 45th (they ended up going to HAwaii...a life long dream, because they can not do it 5 yrs). I remember for my parents 40th we did a suprise party...every one made up excuses why they couldn't be there...and we hid at my sisters house...they came over, LOVED it, that we all were together to go out to dinner.

When I read your post I thought...is there someone who could host a small informal reception (immediate family + really close friends). I was thinking like a sunday brunch. You could make arrangements for your parents to renew their vows, and have a few people over to the house (or have the ceremony at the house). The brunch could be catered or have everyone bring items. This could be a trial run for their 50th, which could be a more formal affair (like a dinner and including more family and friends), but incase something happend, you will not have any regrets. I agree to have cooperation of all sibilings, although it is hard for people to do anything. Good Luck.

 

[antmaril]

I sent my parents an arrangement of 45 sweetheart roses. My husband and I also took them out for a nice dinner and dancing. My parents enjoyed it very much and I am so glad we did something for their 45th, because my mother passed away two years later. I would celebrate this anniversary and celebrate again for their 50th anniversary!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go for it!

We just did my parents "40th", because you just never know.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We also had a professional portrait of us 7 kids done plus one of all the grandkids. We had them framed and gave them to them at the party.

Just wondering of I was the only one thinking..."Brady Bunch"...Jan breaks the surprise anniversary picture in the garage because she wasn't wearing her glasses.