For my grandparents, their kids showed up and had a surprise dinner at their house, My dad and one of his sisters lived near to their parents, but the other 2 siblings were far away and I don't know the last time they'd all been there together. None of the spouses or grandkids went, so it was just my grandparents and their 4 kids at their house which I don't think had happened in years.

Everyone said it was a great evening, and then we had a bigger party the next night for the extended family.

We took my parents back to a resort near where they had met for the first time. We told them we were going there for the weekend for a family getaway with them and just us four kids and our families, but the first night we had our relatives and their friends come and had a 50th anniversary party. They were truly surprised (and we had asked them -- they weren't keen on having a big party but when it came to it they enjoyed seeing everyone for a happy occasion instead of another funeral) and they had quite a bit of fun, and they still talk about it. I think part of their reluctance came from a sort of superstitious feeling that their health might go downhill directly after any sort of big party for them, but they are still doing fine.

We ordered flowers from Costco and I did the arrangements myself, we decorated the banquet room ourselves (while my folks were taking a nap), we ordered a special cake (and a special topper for the cake the replicated our parents wedding clothes), and the resort did all the other food. We ran a slideshow of a bunch of family photos running through the cocktail hour, and a bunch of family photos on display on the dinner tables. I wish we had done better on preparing toasts, but we're all a bit shy. All in all, it was a nice experience and I'm really glad we did it. I would have regretted it if we hadn't.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone been there? What did you do for them?

The ball is weighing heavily on my shoulders to plan this---even though I am the youngest of the 3 kids. I have more resources.

I am realizing this is something I should have had in the works quite some time ago--but it snuck up on me.

Do people do big parties? My parents are fantastic. Of course--they are of the 'don't do anything big..blah..blah...blah..' They never want anyone going out of their way or spending $--but I know it will be greatly appreciated.

What did you do or plan to do if you have parents lucky enough to reach this milestone?

Thanks!

My parents had an elegant "wedding" to renew their vows because they married in a civil service before my dad was sent over to Vietnam. The focus was mainly a wonderful reception with all their friends and family. My brother and I paid for it.

It followed the basics of a wedding, with lots of mementos from their life thrown in. The pews had a picture from each year they were together, the tables had pictures from trips they took. It was beautiful.

Not an anniversary, but I threw an 80th birthday celebration for my mom ( my dad did not want any fuss when he turned 80). While it wasn't a "surprise", I invited many many more people than she imagined and kept all details under the radar. It was well attended and my mother died suddenly 4 months later. You will look back at this time and be so happy that you celebrated a happy occasion.