This year is my parent's 25th wedding anniversary. It's in December, which is far away, but I want to start planning now so I know what I want to do. This August they are going on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate so in December I want to throw them a party of some sort.
Questions: * Should I tell them about to so they can tell me what they want/don't want and who to invite? My mom is a bit of a planner so I'm worried it would be hard to surprise her. My biggest fear is that if i don't tell her they will plan a weekend away when I want to do the party.
* Should I do it at a restaurant and have it catered or do it at someone's house?
* Other things I should do?
I am completely open to suggestions.
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"Despite all your best intentions, sometimes, fate wins anyway."
I guess it's up to you to know whether your parents would appreciate a surprise party or not. But if you're worried that she'll make plans, why don't you say that you want to take them out to dinner for their anniversary or something? Then she'll leave the night open.
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Fashion is art you live your life in. - Devil Wears Prada | formerly ttara123
I'm in the camp that doesn't like surprises, even happy ones, so I'd definitely involve her in the guest list, picking a place, etc. - but keep some details a secret so there's still some surprises in store.
In addition to your ideas, brunch (either catered or at a restaurant) would be more reasonable cost-wise than a big dinner. Since it's December you'll be working around people's holiday party schedules too.
A restaurant can do a special fixed-price menu if you choose to have people pay for their own meals - just let people know ahead of time it's going to be $25 per person or whatever.
And maybe work in the Alaska theme somehow to remind them of their special trip...ice sculpture of a polar bear? Make mock postcards with a snapshot of your mom & dad on the ship for the invitations?
My sister and I threw a surprise party for our parent's 30th wedding anniversary a few years ago. We ended up doing it at their house (we got them out of the house all day by sending them to a movie and lunch, which was supposedly their gift). However, if you can have it at someone elses house, it would be much easier. My sister and I didn't have big enough houses to host a party and most of our relatives live in other cities so having it at a restuarant would've been more than we wanted to spend. That's great you are starting the planning early, I really think that is key. Good luck!