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Please help me with centerpiece ideas for my father in-law's 85th birthday. The colors I am using are teal, brown, ivory, and gold. I will have balloon clusters hanging from the ceiling with gold star balloons in between the clusters. I don't really want balloons for centerpieces. We are having a casual buffet. I would appreciate your ideas.
By Charlotte from Boise, ID
You could buy some teal paper gift bags, put some gold tissue paper inside and add some large silk flowers in ivory. I would add weights of some kind to the bags so they don't easily tip over.
What are his special interests? Is he still active at a hobby? You could decorate the tables with new garden tools (tied up with bows), sports equipment, art supplies, etc. That way people will know what to get for him, and he'll get to enjoy them afterwards.
If there are photos available from throughout his life reproduce these and use a wire photo holder (weight of some type at the bottom with several wires sticking up. Top of each wire is like a paper clip and will hold a photo.) and place one in the center of each table.
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We are giving my mother-in-law a party for her 85th birthday. I'm in charge of the table centerpieces and favors for the guests. I really would like something unique. I was thinking of an antique or vintage theme. There are no pictures of her as a baby or child or any of her younger days so I can't use that idea. Please help, as we want this to be extra special.
Thanks.
Audrey from IL
I would visit some antique stores and pick up something different for each table. Maybe an old telephone bell for one, an old toy car for another, an antique vase, etc. That way it looks vintage and each person takes home something different and maybe even something that may be dear to them as well.
Have fun. (02/26/2005)
Oh and check eBay as well. They have some great vintage stuff. (02/26/2005)
How about centerpieces depicting every decade she has lived; the roaring twenties; the depression era 30s; the jazz age/big band 40s; the fifties (rock and roll), Ozzie and Harriet; the turbulent and civil rights inspired 60s; the disco 70s; the "me" generation 80s; the techno 90s, and she has lived through many presidents, one for each table. (02/26/2005)
By Cavelady
As a cheaper alternative to buying things, check on line or at the library for headlines, advertisements, or news of her town at the time of her birth. Even if printed on regular paper, you can dip it in tea to give it an antique look. Roll like a scroll, tie with ribbon, let the guests unroll and read what was happening when mother-in-law was born. (02/27/2005)
By Mary
Have different people who are special to her design a centerpiece for a table. Kind of "adopt" a table. It could represent a special memory or event. It would make excellent conversation starters and would be special for mom-in-law, too. As far as favors, is there a special recipe that she is famous for, you could print one out for everyone to take home, or are there things that she always says and will be remembered for saying, make a note card with mom's quotes. Hope these ideas spark something for you. (02/27/2005)
By Kelly
You might go to a site that lists things that happened the date of her birth and make little cards for everyone with the information. The little cards would also look cute sticking out of a floral arrangement.
Kajun smiles.
Kayre (02/27/2005)
By KajunKJ
Check out dmarie.com. If you put in her birthday you can find out all kinds of events, books, shows, toys, etc. that were popular the year she was born (plus the cost of foods and household items). It's a lot of neat info that could be put on cards or framed. You can also search for pictures of the things listed to make a centrepiece. (03/13/2005)
By Trix
Thank you so much for these ideas. We used carnations in bud vases with ribbons and asked the florist to put one of those plastic poles that they use to put cards on, saying who it's from. We had asked family members what their favorite food items were that mom made and typed up the recipes, decorated them and laminated them, then placed them on the little posts. Everyone loved them. Thank you for your ideas. (06/28/2005)
By Mary
Whole leaf tea sachet favors are pretty. It's also on the O list of favorites. (06/24/2006)
By Murphy
I am planning a surprise 85th birthday party for a male neighbor. His hobby is gardening and flowers. We are getting the small kid's metal sprinkling cans and putting flowers and small garden tools in them to put on each table. I always try to make the centerpiece match the person's hobbies or interests. (06/13/2008)
By Donna
