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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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I was not sure where to put this question...
Next month my in laws will be celebrating their 50th anniversary, and I need gift ideas.
I have looked for suggestions on line and get back a lot of ideas with gold (of course), but things like gold dipped roses, plaques, etc . I don't think they'd like a plaque or platter, and I'm not even sure about something like a clock or a cross. They are not Catholic (they alternate between two churches that are some type of Christian off shoot).
I am totally stumped for ideas.
Any thoughts for a fifty?
Thanks!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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ALmom
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
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Melinda:
We just celebrated my parent's 50th and we did a couple of things that might work as an idea for your in-laws:
we put together DVD of them in their early dating years, through all the events in our family life and including special times with each other and with the family. We had to "borrow" some photos and things from my mom and it was hard to really get it all together since most of the better pics are on slides. We even found my parents first communion pictures (my dad was in my mom's picture as an angel or something).
We put together a photo album (the photo album we got on-line at Target, it had 50th across the top and was gold) We included the invitation to the 50th celebration and an old wedding photo and included a bunch of pictures from the party plus ended with family photos from each of the children and a note of what they have meant to us.
A large collage of the family. This one had early family photos, photos of mom and dad doing their favorite things together, nostalgic memories of the different places they lived or traveled and especially photos of family traditions (mom baking cookies with all the grandkids, or directing the Christmas play) and photos of each of my parents special time with each of the children and grandchildren. We got a really large collage frame from Wal-Mart (but it was a black border) and my folks did have a perfect spot to hang it above the fireplace.
We knew our folks did not want us to do anything expensive and they both have pretty simple likes. They are at the point where they really don't want a lot of things cluttering up the house.
Oh, some of the grandkids also put on some entertainment for them at the party - singing some of their favorite songs.
Janet
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
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Those are wonderful ideas- your parents must have been thrilled. I would love to do something like that for my inlaws, but they live in MI, and we would never be able to get ahold of their photos. Once I asked for a few pictures of dh as a boy- just to have something- and I got two.
Well, I have to come clean about this. Their party is next month, and they STILL have not set a date, time or place. First my MIL wanted to have the family gather at a campground in KY for a week. Then it was Mackinaw Island, then a beach house, then Asheville NC...
No decision yet, and she does not want any help planning.
I am feeling frustrated and not very charitable. It's getting down to the wire, travel plans need to be made, a gift bought, etc. This whole thing affects when we will be able to start school, so I'd REALLY like to have a date.
Why is this so hard? Fifty years doesn't exactly sneak up on you!
Looks like I need gift help and a trip to confession over my poor attitude 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Nique
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 2:10pm | IP Logged
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How about a gift certificate for a HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE? My parents bought this for my dh and I for our 1st year Wedding Anniversary present and it was a once in a lifetime oppourtunity that we have never forgotten!!!
Oh! AND .. they paid for a bed and breakfast the night before "the flight"!
Yeah, I know, I've got AMAZING parents!!! Thank you God!
(Maybe if any other relatives could get in on the gift too?)
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I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 13 2009 at 9:03pm | IP Logged
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Oh, that sounds really fun. I know my FIL would love it... not so sure about MIL. But I will put it on the list to investigate. Thanks!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: July 14 2009 at 11:21am | IP Logged
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If you can't get photos of your in laws, you could make scrapbook type pages with graphics of things that pertain to their lives, and include special text...we did this for dh's parents, using images of some of their favorite pastimes, such as fishing, staying at a lakeside cabin each year, babysitting, knitting and crocheting, along with verses we wrote acknowledging their special interests and accomplishments. We asked other siblings to send pages to include in the book. The book is still kept in a place of honor in their home and was even more meaningful since fil passed not long after their 50th anniversary. There were extra blank pages for added pictures from the celebration for their 50th. The day of the celebration we tied 50 golden helium balloons to the rails of the wheelchair ramp of their home, with tags attached requesting that finders of the ballooons to send a greeting congratulating them on 50 years of marriage. Our favorite pictures from that day are of the entire family lined up among the ballons, ready to release them!
May the Lord bless your in-laws and may your entire family be blessed with a truly grace-filled, memorable celebration...such times are so rare and become very precious when loved ones are no longer with us.
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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Topic: 50th anniversary gift
