D.W.
If you are going to go light on the food don't schedule the party at a typical meal time or have it fall during a meal time. Like don't schedule it for 5-9 because that's when people would expect something more substantial.
Any one have any good ideas for a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party? I was thinking appetizers and drinks and dessert. I need somewhere in the northwest suburbs. Any great gift ideas? In the past we have done collages and had old friends write in memories and made a scrap book? Any new suggestions would be helpfull.
If you are going to go light on the food don't schedule the party at a typical meal time or have it fall during a meal time. Like don't schedule it for 5-9 because that's when people would expect something more substantial.
We JUST had a surprise 50th anniversary party for my in laws just this past weekend.
Because I'm just an outlaw, my husband and siblings planned most of it. I was given the task of scanning pics for a video that looped through the evening. We had their high school pictures/prom etc. *They were high school sweethearts. Wedding pictures and then various pictures of the family throughout the years. Everyone who attended enjoyed that.
I agree with Dori, that if you are thinking just appetizers an afternoon event may be best. My in laws was a dinner event at a hotel because there were people who came in from out of town.
As far as gifts. . . do you mean from the kids or guests? My opinion is that if they are celebrating their 50th, they probably don't need more 'stuff.'
I know for our event "Your presence is a treasured gift. We request no other" was written on the invite. People did bring cards so my sister in law found a beautiful woven gold basket that was put by the entrance.
I will eventually make a DVD and picture book with the pics taken that night and the cards and notes scanned in.
Good Luck
One of the best ideas I have ever heard of came from another Mama. It is VoiceQuilt. Please read about this wonderful company. We recently created a VoiceQuilt for an older friend's birthday. She was STUNNED. This was the most meaningful gift we could have given her. She also received an abundance of birthday cards because we had reminded all her friends of the occasion coming up.