[twinzplus3]

My in-laws are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary (actually in December) but the party is next month. 3 sister in laws and I are planning it. Help some busy moms out and share the ideas!

[QueenAngie]

How fun! Sounds like a great time together and celebrate!

Is this a family only party? Or will it be a huge crowd of friends too?

Venue?

For my inlaw's big anniversary, I went to Wallyworld and placed my order for 1 large sheetcake and 1 round cake. Had them put together and decorated with a cake topper I had purchased. This was much less expensive than ordering a $200 two layer wedding cake. It was exactly the same .....only without the price tag. If you are really an expert, you could make the cake yourself.

Creat a video - with your inlaws as babies, growing up, their courtship, their engagement, wedding, honeymoon, their honeymoon, their babies. My niece does this and always turns out lovely. Choose some music from 'their time.'
Have the grandkids all sing a song for Grandma & Grandpa.

Make a photo quilt for them to hang in the familyroom or bedroom.

This will be so much fun!

[twinzplus3]

Thanks Angie. . .this a big family from out of town, plus friends from church event. I am catering it although I'm sure I'll have help. I think someone is making a smaller cake bc I am making dessert as well. (In-laws preference!)

Party is at their house which is huge and beautiful complete with water fall in the back.

Valorie

[QueenAngie]

I knew you were a great cook! What types of foods are you thinking about serving?

Make-ahead items would be the easiest and keep her kitchen clean too.

Sounds like a lovely home and the perfect spot for the party.

[twinzplus3]

Well, I just found out about it so I think I'll take the hors d'oevres portion and assign a SIL to that so I don't have to worry about it. I think though, I'm going with an Italian theme bc pasta is cheap! So I'm looking towards. . .a vegetarian lasanga, stuffed jumbo shells, grilled portabella with some tomatoe/basil sauce and maybe chicken alfredo? That should be good right? I'm not sure how many people are coming next so I'll have to find out. If I can get fish cheap, I might do some fish too.

For dessert I think I will do some fruit baskets with accompanying dips, I'm thinking a lemon sponge cake with raspberry sauce, some fudgy pecan bars, shoofly pie (which given their heritage isn't that weird but will be oddly out of place here), and probably some chocolate mouse with espresso beans or something. I'm going to have to go pay a visit to the martha stewart website to get some ideas. My MIL has a convection oven so I may, may even do a cheesecake or two.

We're going up Friday and my dh along w/ another bil has baby duty. So we'll see.

[tymee]

Sounds like your in-laws have a beautiful home. For my parents 35th anniv this June my siblings and I did a gift registry for new bath towels, dish towels, new pots/pans, utensils and other household items. It allowed them to get all new items in their house and be able to throw away their 1972 ladel they got when they first were married...just a thought, but it was a hit with our parents, and many of the items were purchased and others gave them gift cards...

[twinzplus3]

Thanks--but they're rich. They just built a brand new house and refurnished it to replace their '90's stuff. But I'm going to have to think on a gift registry and see if there is a registry somewhere with more creative items. That's a good idea. I wonder if Home Depot has a gift registry?! Or something that does landscaping or something like that.

[QueenAngie]

Afternoon or evening reception?

What about tables and seating outdoors?

Lots of tulle and white twinkling Christmas lights?

What about their engagement photo and wedding photo on display
with any momentos of the day.............a table setting of their china.....bouquet of flowers for the table - same as her bouquet.

Music?

Area for desserts, drinks, gifts, etc.

[twinzplus3]

Photos are difficult bc they come out of an Amish/Mennonite tradition. I'm asking family members right now for contributions. But I'm pretty sure that they were careful not to do photographs so that the Amish parts of hte family would consider attending. (Can you imagine--no photographs, no dancing and I'm fairly sure it was an Amish reception which means--pot luck!!! Oh and no jewelry either!) I wonder if they'd be into doing another set of vows? Thank you guys--getting my creative juices flowing!

Lots and lots of fresh flowers everywhere. My MIL loves fresh flowers.

[swt1899]

My parents will be having their 40th next August. I'm planning to get them to have their vows renewed. They were married at a cute little wedding chapel here in Houston. It's still here! I redid their wedding album a few years ago for their 35th.
Can't go wrong with potluck though. Lots of yummy goodies. Renewing vows would be nice, also what I did for a shower was pass out slips of paper and have guests write blessings or messages on them and put them into a box for them to open later, etc. I like Angie's idea on the cake. Very cute!