25th Anniversary Party Ideas

[MLE]

DH and I are throwing a party in honor of our 25th (30 years together) in mid-July. It will be just hors d'oerves and desserts and drinks since we wanted to make it easy. We would like to give each guest a little party favor/present when they leave and we are stuck for ideas. I was at a mother's day luncheon this year where the hostess gave us all bedding plants. We went to a party several years ago, the hostess was from Baton Rouge, and she handed out mini bottles of tabasco. Any ideas? Since DH and I met and married in the 70's, it could be something from that decade. Any help would greated be appreciated.

[oskie]

How big is the party going to be and what's your budget for favors look like? If it's not a huge affair, you might try wine bottles with special labels printed to commemorate the occasion. Since you're from Philly, you could try a local vineyard like Chaddsford Wineryhttp://www.chaddsford.com/welcome/services/services.htm (http://http://www.chaddsford.com/welcome/services/services.htm)
Their wine is pretty good.

[LaraW]

Do you have any hobbies or interests as a couple? Maybe a sports team or something like that? You could do something with the colors of a sports team or something that might reflect a mutual interest/hobby.

[MKSquared]

You could burn CD's of all your favorite songs from when you met. :) Design a label, slap it on the CD's, and make a CD cover, too.

[MLE]

Party, last Saturday night, was a success. We were amazed at the number of friends who were able to come (summertime, we thought more would be on vacation, but this was not the case) and, fortunately, the weather was beautiful and we were able to fit the 70 people comfortably (inside and outside). As for the party favors, we did end up burning the CD's (thank you MKSquared). It was a hoot coming up with the groups and songs from the mid to late 70's which had meaning to us. We titled the CD "Places We Remember . . . We Think. The Early Years". The difficulty was limiting the CD to the 17 songs that could fit on the CD for there were so many more songs that we would have loved to include. The CD's were wrapped real pretty and displayed in DD's 5'6" wire pink flamingo (it's a planter, so the CD's were in a flower pot on the flamingo's back). Not only were the favors a surprise, but my guess is that the CD transported our guests to 25 years or so ago, evoking their memories of where they were, physically, emotionally, etc. Each time I listen to it, it reminds me not only of my DH, where we were, etc., but now also of our party last Saturday.

[MKSquared]

Sounds as if your party was a lot of fun! :) A pink flamingo, as tall as me? Glad my suggestion could help!

[donleyk]

That is so cool! I am sorry it didn't see the original post but enjoyed it and hearing how well the party went. Congrats, BTW!

[jmarie]

What songs did you include on your CD's? My husband and I will be celebrating 25 years in just 2 years, and I think that is a NEAT idea! Burning Cd's..and I have plenty of time to choose songs!
Glad it was a good time and you were blessed with a bounty of friends during your marriage.

[MLE]

Our play list included songs by: Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Weather Report, Jefferson Airplane, Rosanne Cash (not exactly the same vintage, but her song "7 Year Ache" is one we always dance to in the living room), Pink Floyd, Joan Armatrading, Traffic, Stevie Wonder, The Who, Roberta Flack, Chuck Mangione Quartet, Yes, Carole King, The Beatles, and Rolling Stones. One we missed was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but that's because DH wanted to include "Heplessly" (or whatever the name is) and could not find it. Clearly, there are many many more, but that's why we subtitled the CD "The Early Years". We can always put out "Part II".

DD made the CD label (you can buy the kit to do this at any super office supply store, it's not expensive). We did not put a cover on, instead, took out the insert and left the CD showing with it's nice label. I ended up taping the play list on the back (it was a bit "tacky", but we could not think of another way to do it quickly).

Wrapped each CD in different colored tissue paper, tied it with a ribbon, and inserted a silk flower under the ribbon. Quite pretty, and a lot of fun. Definitely a fantastic, and inexpensive, idea. Good luck!

[eas11]

Helplessly Hoping
I thinkthis was just CS&N..great song.

What a great idea, we had our 25th last year, but I think I'll do a CD for DH for our 26th in Sept! I'd trade you one of mine for one of yours! :D
Ellyn

[MLE]

I think you are right, that it was just CS&N. However, I think (?! the old memory thing) that when I first was introduced to the band, Young was a quasi-member of the group. So, I always throw him into the mix in my mind.

If you are serious, we can swap CD's. How do we go about doing it?

Emily