Good Idea for Parents 50Th Wedding Anv. Gift

Hi A.:
If you had a little more time,I'd recommended A cute video or slide show,of their years together, with their song for the background. Maybe with such short notice,you could get together with your brothers,and spring for a romantic dinner out.Maybe have A bottle of their favorite wine,paid for and waiting at their table,with your wishes. It's heartwarming that they have shared that many wonderful years together as husband and wife.I wish them 50 more! I wish you the best to. J. M

What about an album with best wishes from family and old time friends who knew them when they dated? Got engaged? Maybe your dad was in the military? And they waited to marry? How about one night at the honeymoon location they went to 50 yrs ago? (provided it wasn't Hawaii but I doubt it. 1959 was a conservative time. Or a B & B somewhere near where they live?

For my inlaws' 50th, we put together a family album. It included photos of their wedding and all the kids and grandkids as well as cousins, neices and nephews, close family friends - the works. It was one of their favorite gifts. A girlfriend of mine went one better, and included in her album letters from everyone telling stories about camping trips, BBQs, even arguments - any memories the family, friends, neighbors, teachers and anyone else had. It was a great book! Heaven knows it can get expensive buying scrapbook stuff, so just get an inexpensive binder, a big box of page protectors from the office supply store, and use regular 8 1/2 by 11 paper. For photos, copies on plain paper from the office supply store are sometimes, but not always, cheaper than reprints or enlargements from a 1 hour photo place, so check prices. Throw in some drawings by the youngest family members, and you're set.

I so know what you are going through. When my parents hit their 25th year mark, I wanted to do something nice, but had NO money (I was 18 at the time). So I got this idea. I called all our relatives/ family friends, and asked them to write something special about my parents. Some story or a nice card. It didn't take long for the word to spread and within days I had several letters coming in the mail. Now you can do it through e-mail so it would be even faster. I compiled them with some pictures through their life in a photo album. They loved it, and the cost was minimal. The best thing about it was that 3 months later my mom unfortunately died and now my dad has the book of memories. They both loved it and was worth more to them than anything I could have found in a store.

When my grandmother turned 80 we had a photo blanket made. (we had ours done at walmart). It had pictures of all her 8 children, 23 grandchildren and 17 great granchildren AND 4 great-great grandchildren.

It is like she is two again, she carries that blanket everywhere.

I went on Goldstar and bought discount tickets to a musical at a local theater. It was so fun. I went with my parents and got them dinner at Panera, under $30 for four people and the show for about $20 a ticket. What an awesome night and it is always good to spend time with your folds without the kids.

You don't say what your budget is...but, a well written heart felt letter. a photo albulm, or photo to hang on a wall, a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, or to where they were married.

You can make cool photo collages online at Costco.com, pick them up at the Costco nearest to you in an hour, and frame them. I don't know how long it takes to order their other gifts (mugs, photo throw blankets, handbags,...), but I think Costco's prices are better than Shutterfly's and the quality looks the same to me. Good luck!

At this point in their lives, there probably isn't a lot of "stuff" your parents need/want. Since this is such a momentous occasion, give them something really personal. Make a scrap book of all their kids & grandkids. Get everyone to write a letter to them telling them how much they love them and how grateful they are to have had them as parents. Include childhood memories, favorite vacations, the "little things" you remember them doing, etc. This will cost next to nothing and it will be their most prized possession, I guarantee it!

Congrats to your parents & good luck on the gift!

Hi A.,

Here is a couple of ideas....

What do they like to do together? Do they both like the same music, movies, etc. What do they have in common?

Here is what we did....

For my husbands grandparents we gave them a "day trip" to Long Beach to go on a Aircraft Cruiser/Carrier that cruised the harbor and had live music (Big Band Era) and a full buffet lunch. They really enjoyed it because he was a WWII Navy Vet and it was THEIR kind of music from when they were dating. I think that "going back in time" for them was very nostalgic and nice to remember the "good old days!"
You could also go to a Things Remembered store near you and have something engraved. At one time they did beautiful blankets that had a picture printed on them...maybe a picture of the kids/grandkids?

Not to say that you have to do these things, but I hope that at least it helps and gets the "juices flowing" for ideas!

Take care!

C. C.

Make a photo album from ShutterFly. If you had had time I would have told you to make a video of with pictures set to music and any video that you might have. If the albums are too pricey for you then make your own. My parents love photos of the family.
Good luck

Even though it's short notice, you can still do a scrapbook, just with an IOU, sort of. Put letters and photos from you and your brothers in it, and then add the others as they arrive. One of my sisters and I did a scrapbook for my parents' 50th and it was a hit. My mom loves that book! We took bets, and she started crying on page two when she realized what it was. We used a kit that Creative Memories had, but I have no idea if they still have that product. Just send letters to family and friends and request letters and photos. It was so neat to read what people thought of my parents. Sounds odd, but it was like hearing all of the nice things people would say at a funeral, only my parents were alive to know what people thought. A wonderful keepsake that my mom still enjoys showing to people.

Do you access to a scanner? Can you scan in some old photos and put together a collage? Print it out and frame it. That's what I did for my parents' 40th. A wedding pic of them, early family portrait, couple of others, including one of them most recently. Kind of a "family album" at a glance. If you don't have a large printer you can take the file to Kinko's or some other local print place. Buy a cheap frame and you're good to go! Or print them out on fabric (get it at Michaels) and create a throw pillow (if you're crafty). Or if you have lots of old photos, put together an album. I know the clock is ticking... Or write them a poem or a short journal as a tribute, recounting family memories,what you've admired about their marriage, etc., in a lovely small hand-bound book. Something personal is always appreciated! Hope that's somewhat helpful... Good luck!

For special events I make a gift that isn't too expensive and is LOVED by everyone that I've made it for. The two most recent (within the last month) was made for a friend's 80th birthday, and the second for a family bridal luncheon. You can use the same concept for your parent's 50th.

* I buy a 6" x 6" scrapbook album and the plastic page protectors. This shouldn't cost more than $20 - $30, or less if you can find it with a coupon at Michael's or Joann's. I have also purchased it from Stampin'Up because sometimes the smallest you can find is 8" x 8" at the stores.

* For the 6" x 6" size I cut regular paper (white or ivory copier or resume typing paper) in to 5" x 5" sheets.
* I stamp (or you could print this on your computer) a saying at the top. Some examples are "Our Family", "Memories", "I remember when", "I'll never forget the time", etc. I mail these out with a return addressed envelope (just fold the paper in half the long way) and include a note explaining you are making a memory album for your parent's anniv and would they share a thought or memory with them by filling out the memory paper and returning it to you by a certain date. Be sure to mention it is a surprise!

*I also ask them if they would return a picture of themselves or a picture of themselves with the guests of honor.

*I buy 12" x 12" decorative paper (scrapbooking) and cut it into fourths. I mount(glue) the memory sheet, after it comes back, on one of the decorative papers, and their picture/pictures on the side facing the paper. If the person mailing it back to you sends multiple pictures, just make a pocket for the side that you mount the picture on instead and slip them in to the pocket. Slip these in to the page protectors.

*I always decorate the first page with the guests of honor's picture, maybe a wedding picture and then on the next two pages perhaps a current picture on one side and a family picture or collage on the side facing it.

* I also note the date and reason for the celebration/memory book with their picture. Some times I include a copy of the note that I sent to everyone because it will probably give the details, i.e. memory page for my parent's 50th anniversary.

* I buy stickers or print clipart (but you would have to cut and glue the clipart) and decorate the pages. This goes together very quickly as you're not doing a lot of creative designing, i.e. stamping, making decorations etc.

* In some instances, I have assembled it the morning of the party/event, LOL! Also, be prepared to call everyone to remind them to send it back.

* I always put the family ones first. If you don't have a lot of people to send it to, just ask family to fill out several and provide you with several pictures. I even ask the little ones, or their parent to help them, color a picture on the memory page, and make sure to include their name and age on the front of the memory page.

* Hope this helps. I'm new with mamasource so I'm not sure if you can respond back to me, but if you can, please do with any questions you might have.

HTH, Di

a bound newspaper of the day and area(ie Los Angeles) when they got married.

Miss Adie~
A 50th wedding anniversary is a HUGE deal, but the gift dosen't warrent a HUGE price. Here are a few ideas:
First recruit a friend who likes to take pictures and go to your local "garden" or park. Have a friend take pictues of your family (You+Hubby+daughter) develop the pictures pick out a nice frame and send it to them. Remember the best gifts you can recieve are ones from the heart.If you own a digital carama you can edit your pictures at any wallmart, target, wallgreens, rite aid, and even put extras like borders or change the color to black and white.
My second suggestion is for the crafty ones:
Make a mini scrapbook of pictures of your whole family with diffrent time frames so a kinda "this is you lfe" theme.
Last suggestion IF, and this is a big if you have a picture from thier wedding day make a copy of it have it framed and send I off.
Good Luck with the Present!

Make them a scrapbook / photo album from all the kids and grandchildren - buy another scrapbook with pages that come out - bring markers and some art supplies, and ave each guest make a memory page for them at the party! No amount of money can buy that sentiment and love!

K.

Hey there. If you can, do picture dvd slideshow of as far back as you can. Get pictures if you can from you mom of the old days and everything from there wedding photo to start up until today. You can have music in the background. A friend's sister in law did this for my friend's babyshower and we were all bawling!! It was so beautiful. And she did it on her computer. Best of luck! And Kudos to your parents for making it through and showing it really can be done!

How about putting together a "This is Your Life - Marriage" book, and include photos and stories from their dating through wedding, birth of children, milestone events; maybe talk with some of their friends and get stories from them to include, be creative. Its like you taking them on an anniversary cruise through their lives together, and its something you and siblings, and later the granchildren, etc., will always have.

Alde :)

Congratulations on your parent's 50th anniversary! Gifts are nice, and expensive to send. When my parents reached that lovely age, we did get together, which for them was better than a gift. If you can't go to see them, rather than a "thing" I think it might be nice if you sent them a special letter describing some of your fun memories with them. If you could include photos they may not have, that would make it special.

By the time parents are married 50 years, they shouldn't Need much, and something GOLD is very expensive! It seems to me that golden memories of times together in love would be much more appreciated.

Good luck. Like you said, not much time.

How about sending them on a cruise? It doesn't have to be expensive - if you're on a budget, you can look into short 2-3 day cruises down to Mexico.

How about a little trip somewhere? Or is that doesn'e work what about making a slide show set to music. Pro show gold is the name of the software I have and it is so so easy!
Good luck!

make a slide show and send them a gift card to go out and celebrate 50 years. You could also do a buch of things that have to do with the number 50 or the year they got married. silver half dollards, 50 reasons they love each other. etc.

Here's an idea that's a little different but is very meaningful... www.voicequilt.com You buy recorded time and friends and family members call in with a code. They can share memories or special things about your parents and it is all put on a disk for them to listen to. They even have keepsake boxes that will play the disk when opened. Even though you can't give them a party, this is a way everyone can still be involved and make their day special.

How about a DVD Scrapbook with a story of their romance and their lives along with your pictures and your families.

Hi A.,
For my parent's 40th wedding anniversary we took a trip where all 5 kids and their families went up the coast to Cambria to spend the whole weekend together. (getting everyone together for a party is challenging so this was special for them to spend quality time with all of us)

However, with the economy the way it is I wouldn't be able to afford this today. What they really liked the most was an engraved photo album that we had made with copies of our favorite memories over the years.

Another idea would be to put together a DVD of these treasured family photos with music. My husband did this for me for our anniversary and it is the best gift I have ever received. Good luck and Congrats to your parents on such a wonderful anniversary!

For my parents 50th my brother and I sent them to a very nice restaurant by themselves. I told them to get anything they would like and enjoy!

Hello A.,

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Take care
D.