Do I have to throw a party for my mother’s milestone birthday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course you can avoid doing this! I believe we should only give when we're genuinely happy to. Why don't her friends throw her a party? You are under no obligation.

Ask her friends if you can just contribute money to whatever they are doing for her party as you won't be able to plan one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this age you need to celebrate, she might not see 71.

Oh please, anyone can die any time. My DH said the same thing when we got married, we've aged and frailed but MIL is still alive and kicking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. That would really hurt her feelings if this is the type of thing she likes.

It doesn’t have to be a lot of work. If you have the means, rent a side room at a restaurant for her and her friends/family. Make it a brunch for even more cost savings.

This. We did a lovely afternoon tea for MIL and her friends at a hotel with a limo picking up whomever needed a ride. MIL and her friends raved about it for months. Easy peasy.

[Anonymous]

No. I believe that either she throws it herself or her spouse (I assume she’s single?). That’s a lot to put on your kid.

For my parents and in-laws, they all picked a big location and took the entire family on a somewhat exotic location. Some paid for everything, some just paid for the house, etc. I think a trip is more common than a party.