Putting On the Ritz – Birthday Party Ideas for Your Parents
Turn the tables on your parents, and give them a birthday party that they'll treasure every bit as much as you treasured
the birthday parties that they gave you. There's no better way to say thank you to Mom and Dad than by putting on a
memorable extravaganza.
Where to Get Birthday Party Ideas
The best place to get birthday party ideas is right from the horse's mouth. We're not suggesting that you ask for
ideas—far from it. Think back over the years to all the things your parents have mentioned that they wanted to do, but
never got around to doing.
For example, suppose that they always wanted to take a cruise. Why not plan a surprise birthday cruise for the
immediate family? You'll need to insure that travel documents are up-to-date, and you'll need to sneak a peek at
your Mom or Dad's calendar, and reschedule any obligations for the duration of the vacation. This idea requires lots
of preparation, but imagine the surprise when your lucky parent embarks upon the ship for a birthday cruise.
Okay, so you can't afford a cruise for this birthday. Did your mother want an outdoor wedding but have to settle for a
church wedding. That presents another perfect opportunity, assuming that she was born during the warmer seasons.
Round up as many of their old wedding party as possible for this birthday, and plan a big, outdoor fete, complete with
a big tent.
During what era did your parents "grow up?" Suppose that they grew up in the 60s. The 60s provided a lot of
humor—in retrospect: tie-die t-shirts, bell-bottom blue jeans, the advent of rock music, Twister. Speaking of Twister,
it's still available, and you're bound to set off waves of laughter watching the 60s generation tie themselves in knots
playing the game. Ask everyone to dress "in period," and set the mood with all of his or her old favorite tunes. A 60s
party presents a multitude of opportunity for candid shots to preserve the occasion in perpetuity.
Coordinate everything for the party from the invitations, to the decorations, music, cake, and even gifts for a party
your parent will not soon forget. Don't forget to invite high school and college friends to help celebrate this flashback birthday.
Plan a party around a significant part of their life and the people with whom they shared that portion of their life.
Use the Internet to aid your search.
- Does your father talk incessantly about "the big one, dubya, dubya TWO? Locate some of his living military friends, and have them come to a birthday party in uniform.
- Was your father a pilot for a major airline? Was your mother a flight attendant? Round up old flying partners for a birthday party.
- Did one of your parents work for a company that has gone out of business? Find the old employees, and invite them to a party.
It's your job to find the unexpected combination of people and party accoutrements to create that once-in-a-lifetime party
to end all parties.
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