Gift ideas

Ok, folks. I need your help. My parents' 40th wedding anniversary is June 7th. My sister and I are struggling to come up with a brillantly unique gift idea. (For instance: For their 20th anniversary, we gave them a hot air balloon ride). Get creative.

I need your help! :)

What are some of their interests, Carla? And what's your approximate budget?

This message was edited Mar 29, 2004 10:14 PM

No budget at this point. I say that because if I come across the "right" gift idea, I'll pay whatever it costs. My parents are awesome and they deserve as much happiness as my bank account can afford. :)

They're retired, have travelled the world and are wonderful examples of Christ's love. They love to live life to the fullest and share who they are and what they have with others. I know that's not much to go on, but they really don't "need" anything that money can buy. That's why it's so important to be creative. I want to get them something that they might not have ever thought of.

How about a day at a spa, massage, then a nice dinner at a place they think about but never go to. :)

What about flying in an old friend they've not seen in years, as a complete surprise? What about a "This is Your Life" kind of party, where guests will be really unexpected and joyful reunions will ensue?

Mercy..this is gonna be fun! Carla, what a great gift to them...I know something great will come of this thread!

Where do they live? Should I prepare for my "fig leaf dance"? Dancing on one foot? Dare I , I ,....well...lemme think about that one!

I like the total get-together; with letters of what impact that they have made on people lives, photos (copied and in a large book or 10. Then maybe a live band with "their music"-nice if it could be in a gazebo or town square. Picked up by a carriage and horses, with dinner at their special restaurant and then dessert at their party. Just a thought>>

Hee hee...Tell them it's just a special thing for just them, then surprise them at the end of the evening with all their friends. :)

Carla, one of the small things I've found lovely to do if you are having a party with friends: Get a photo of them when a young couple and have it blown up to poster size, with some rext like "Adam & Eve, July 1964-July 2004" . Mount it on foam core, and have it on an easel at the party. Ask everyone to sign it, then frame it for them.

your so lucky to have great loving christian parents, they have a great daughter to...blessings.. anything from heart will be wonderful..

Well, I sent the content in this thread to my sister and she said that our parent's don't want a party this year. In fact, my Dad said, "If we're both around for the 50th, you can plan a party then." :) Ok, so what other ideas do you have?

A common gift in my DH extended family is a memory album. You purchase a fancy album with removable pages. Send a page to each family member, friend, etc. with instructions to decorate the page, one side or both sides, whatever you or the recipient decides. Collect the pages before the day, make a front (their) page, have a family dinner on the day and present them with the album. I have seen beautiful books - had to do a few pages myself. Some people are so incredibly creative... some ideas you might suggest - pictures of page maker w/wo honoree, drawings of children or grandchildren, great nephews/nieces, etc., once I did a counted X-stitch picture on half the page, poems, appreciative letters, special Bible verses, pressed flowers, leaves, etc. etc. you get the picture! (A private diningroom might be wanted if your parents were to get emotional while reading and you'd like privacy.)

That would be nice......along with a "journal" if they'd like on each page. What I remember as being special about my Mom or Grandmother or Grandparents, etc. or What they taught me about life....or even....the funniest thing I remember about them is....

I still think they might like the all-day spa....a massage, makeover, feet rubbed.....oh yeah!!! Spoiled rotten...:)

Are they active and adventurous? How about sending them to a dude ranch....:)

I like the memory book idea. You could even have friends and family send photos and you could make the book. You're so creative I bet it would turn out great, Carla.

Oh, gee, thanks for the compliment, Kimberly, but that would mean my sister gets out of all the work. :)

I thought about a dude ranch, too, believe it or not. They're very adventurous and active, from walking on the Great Wall of China to deep sea fishing off the Keys to riding in a glider on Maui to scuba diving.

Ok, I'm starting to like the memory book idea.

I think it would be great if Shoe could present it with his "fig leaf dance". Might REALLY make it memorable. :)

What are some ways you and your sis could split up the creation of the book? Maybe sis could decorate the binder the pages will go in, and you can do the pages, or vice versa? Maybe sis could be the one to request the pictures and stories from people, either calling them or writing?

My sister is NOT the creative one in the family. She is not the gardener, either. I have to give her specific instructions on anything I send her way. On the other hand, she can cook well beyond anything I can do and she can handle stress and difficult situations better than anyone I know.

Actually, she has already scanned many old photos and can send others since she has access to our parents' house, so I can let her help that way.

This is starting to sound better and better.

"I think it would be great if Shoe could present it with his "fig leaf dance".

Hah! I saw them words, Carla! You behave! ;>)

Your parents should feel lucky that they are so far away from me...ya never know what may show up on their doorstep!

I think the balloon ride (on their 20th) was a great surprise...will be hard to top that one. Since they went so high on that one, maybe 20 years later they could be sent "down below"? (No, not meaning Australia. That would mean lotsa moola, I think.) How 'bout an exciting underground cave expedition? Or a day trip scuba or skin diving exploring a coral reef or the like? Or a mule ride into the bottom of the Grand Canyon, camping out with the Native Americans down there. Hmmm...makes me wanna go, too!

Maybe we need to Photoshop a special image of Shoe for the scrapbook....

Perhaps the Shoeflower :)

oh no.....(he mutters into his beard, resting his forehead in the palm of his left hand, slappily covering his eyes w/his right hand...).

ROTF, I can just see you doing that, Shoe. Now, you can send a picture of yourself that you like, or you can leave it up to our fellow DGr's to come up with some old posts or something.

and what are you doing with your painted toes feet? :) Does ya think we know too much about our Shoeflower? tee hee...

I better check my picture book I reckon...or go take pics today. (and nope, Kathy...nothing on my toes, nuthin' I say, Nuthin'!)

Shoe, You won't believe this but they've been to Australia, scuba diving, and have hiked down the Grand Canyon. They've also been white water rafting a few times, gone on cruises (Alaska, Carribbean and from Hong Kong throughout parts of Asia).

These people are difficult!

Fortunately, I have settled on the memory album (aka scrapbook). Now, if only I could get a personal Horseshoe CD to entertain them while they look at the pictures. :)

(Consider it done...email me.) (Shhh...don't tell anyone tho.)
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Ooooooh, Shoe do you have any good love stories up your sleeve?

Kimberly and others,

The album is nearing completion and it's really taking shape. Thanks so much for suggesting I give it a try. I've been working on it so much, but it's turning out great. I wish I knew how to scan the pages with our scanner, but it's only good for an 8 1/2 X 11 page (unless someone knows something about scanners and can guide me). I'd love to show you some of the pages that are completed.

If you'll scan each page in two parts (overlapping at some point) and e-mail them to me (or snailmail on CD if you'd prefer), I'd be glad to "stitch" them into single images for you.

Can I do that myself using Photoshop?

Didn't know you had Photoshop - yes, you can. :)

My husband is the computer geek in the family. :) We have all of the requisite toys. :)

What about naming a star for them? i've thought about it for different events, but always seem to not do it.
http://www.starregistry.com/