I'm planning a surprise party for my Mom's 50th birthday. She's a good person but a little more reserved than some.
Any ideas for a theme? I have roughly about 70 people invited so far. Which is better, a barbeque with hamburgers and hot dogs, or a sit-down-knife-and-fork mostaccioli dinner?
Also, my parents are divorced, but my Dad would be hurt if I didn't invite him. However, my Mom's side of the family aren't exactly on good terms with him.
you should have a barbeque with hamburgers and hot dogs beczuse everyone can mingle around. and you should try to keep your dad and your mom side not to close to eachother
I absolutely LOVE suprise parties... and I'm and ABSOLUTE trickster... here's what I did to my mother in law... :)
(bear in mind, she loves me now more than ever, so...)
Okay, she is also 'reserved'. here's what me and her kids (all 6) did. We set up a male stripper party... all the fixin's.. beer, etc. we waited until she was at the steps to come to her suprise party (which we had purposefully 'leaked' was a sit down nice lobster dinner) then turned on the lights, cranked the music and pulled her inside yelling suprise! and hurry up, guys! her 'package' (said with a knowing sneer) is almost here! sat her in the middle of the livingroom, watched her squirm for about 10 minutes, then went ahead and brought in her 'package'. a few weeks before the party we all came together to get her the one thing she'd been wanting badly forever. a NICE singer sewing machine (over 900 +tax) that none of us could have afforded on our own. we paid the cute neighbor to come in pushing a box on a dolly thing (with wheels) we dressed up like a big cake with construction paper and crepe paper glued on to pieces of wire we made into rounds (so it could be lifted off easily). then we had him do a little jiggle like he was gonna strip, then take the 'cake' off the box. when we FINALLY convinced her to get up and open the box, she cried like a baby. we then procded to the backyard where the real party was... a nice bbq potluck with a modest pretty theme with rosese :)
What if your father came by before or after her birthday with a gift or a well wishes. He may be uncomfortable knowing he is on her relatives' bad side. It would only cause tensions that no one really wants to walk into.
If you like, sit your parents down seperately, your mother first, and say you'd like to take them both out to dinner, or have them over for dinner, just them. That way, if she declines, you've not brought up the subject to your father and his feelings won't be hurt if she does not want to spend much time with him.
Just a gentle thought: They are your parents, and I am sure they both love you, but they are divorced, and forcing them together on her day just may ignite old hurt feelings.
Jackie, It's great that you are honoring your mother. Since you say she is reserved perhaps the casual barbeque would be more comfortable for her. I personally would not invite your father. If you feel that her side of the family doesn't like him they probably have what they feel are good reasons to dislike him. It is HER day. Don't make it about him. There may be hurt feelings all around....but the bottom line is.... it's HER birthday!
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