My M. is turning 60 next month. She is the best-she does everything she can for me and my 2 siblings. We would like to give her the world for her birthday but each of us is in a very bad financial way right now. I am thinking we can just do a nice dinner at a restaurant, just us kids and my dad. If we plan a party it would be huge because both of my parents come from very large families so even without friends it is already a lot of people.
Is there a middle of the road? I am looking for any good ideas out there. Thanks.
A gift basket with spa and bath or a gift basket with her favorite snacks, flowers, something she has a passion for would be some great gifts. I gave my mother inlaw a gift basket with apple pancake mix and she's that age to with snack and she loved it:)
What about a family pot-luck cookout? That way things are more budget oriented and everyone can come (bring a dish) and enjoy celebrating your M.'s 60th! Family cookouts are always so much fun, especially in the summer!
Middle of the road would be potluck. You could get out cheaper having a house party or bbq, inviting everyone and having them bring a dish than going to an expensive restaraunt. 60 is a big deal. I would throw a big party. FInd a discount party store or troll the thrift stores for decorations. She was born in 1951, so, you could easily do a 50s theme with thrift store stuff. Buy a bunch of old vinyl records and faded copies of See Spot Run Readers to tape to the wall as decorations. Have people dress the part. You dont even need to do decorations. Have a back yard bbq and hang twinkling lights all over the trees. Siblings chip in to buy the meat and have everyone else bring side dishes and seeserts. She will get lots of presents and there will be lots of picture opportunities. I'm sure the whole family would love to celebrate her and she would love to be the guest of honor.
Since your family is so big, what if you asked them to help with the party and do it potluck style, and then you could invite her friends as well?? Just a thought - if that doesn't sound good to you, then dinner out with you guys I think is a great idea, just let her pick wherever it is she wants to go!!
Potluck at a house so all of her family and friends can come.
or
A nice dinner with just you and your siblings (kids and spouses to?).
You can even give her an inexpensive gift if you're on a budget:
put pics together of you and your family or you and your siblings
a poem you write yourself about her or why you love her
fave photo of you & sibs as kids framed
I'm going to get on board with everyone who said to do a potlock bbq. I'd say do burgers and dogs or brats that you supply and have everyone bring an item including cups, plates, soda, etc. If your house/back-yard isn't big enough you can easily rent out a forest preserve shelter for less than $50. That's what we're doing for our daughter's graduation. Good luck!
Talk to the extended family and see if they are able to attend and pay for their own meals. Tell them we are going to be at XX on Friday at 6 to celebrate M.'s birthday. We would love to have you there but can't afford to pay for everyone's dinners if you would like to be there it will be separate checks. Those who can will be there those who can't won't. Don't apoligise. We just celebrated my M.'s 94th and my kids each paid for their own dinners and drinks. I would get a reservation and tell the hostess when you get there it will be a family gathering and separate checks.
The other option would be to have a picnic style potluck in someone's back yard. Order a cake and pick up some ice cream for dessert.
For my M.'s 60th we surprised her with a birthday dinner with close friends and family but the best surprise was my brother & his wife coming from out of town. My brother, sister, & I split the tab for dinner.
The dinner with the kids is an excellent idea. I would also get her something personalized like a photo book, jewelry, or picture slideshow dvd.
Depends on what your M. likes. Does she enjoy big to-do's or small intimate gatherings. I agree with the other posters on the potluck picnic idea if a large gathering is what your M. would love :) Everyone brings a dish to pass and their own drinks. You & siblings provide meat/buns and a cake celebrating your mothers big day. Keep the decorations to a minimum to keep costs down (use pics of her throughout the years, stuff from thrift shop) and make sure you have her favorite music playing in the background. Or a small family dinner at one of your mothers favorite restaurants sounds perfect.
When my M. turned 60 I called my aunts and the adult girl cousins and had them over for dinner to celebrate her birthday. There were about 13 of us and we had a lovely evening. I just made chicken salad and had veggies and dips and fruit and dip and chips and some breads. whole thing cost me maybe $100. she would probably love something like that.
