General Chat

Next year my husband will be 80, my son in law 50 and my daughter and son in law 25 years married, with me the year after 50 years married. Where am I going to find the cash for all these presents. We cannot let these important events go past without a party, can we?

sylvia, iI you are all relatively healthy and able to enjoy life without too many restrictions. what other gifts, could you possibly want?

A few sarnies, sausage rolls & a bottle of wine in your living room won't cost much, It all depends how your family view celebrations like this. Do they expect to have money spent on them, and lavish parties, or like my own family, are happy with a small fuss & plenty of good humor & love. Elaine x

Sylvia Is a wooden spoon appropiate for 50 years married ? Elaine x :o))

Could you have a joint party and get everyone to bring something along food & drink wise to contribute? You could also do a 'no presents' rule so everyone is clear and if people did want to get a pressie then instead ask that the money be donated to a charity instead? Natalie

What about a special family holiday - somewhere you all would like to go to but have never been before. Celebrate all the events in one go. Janice

I have a busy year next year also, son 18 (also his long term girlfriend so cant miss her out!), daughter 21, daughters wedding, son-in-law to be 21, mother 60 and retiring, father 65, husband 40, and mother in law 70. Thats not to mention the 3 mates who turn 40, and 2 other weddings!!!!! Guess i had better start passing the hat round lol! Yvette

Sylvia As a mere 10 years married, I'd like to congratulate you on being married for fifty years. I'm sure you must have some pearls of wisdom to impart. It would be nice to read a book by someone who doesn't have a sociology/ other degree on real relationships. If you can afford to "push the boat out " then do but if not being with those you love, a bottle of your favourite tipple and some nibbles can be just as good. Take care Debs

One present has been solved. My son in law's 50th birthday. My daughter is asking money from everybody and wants to buy him a new expensive racing bike. He is a sports fanatic and has never had a real new bike before, only secondhand. Anyway stops me thinking about him anymore. We'll get there. I usually make lots of presents too myself and make all my own birthday and Xmas cards. I even manage to sell a few cards as some people like them. It's baking cakes again this week - we have our Mothers' Day on Sunday. I like it just when the children come, but I know they won't do that, they cannot come empty handed.

With the presents apart from your husband's could you find out if there is one thing that the person/s would like which everyone could contribute to in common cause? For the parties, what a wonderful excuse for everyone to make their two most favourite dishes (one savoury, one sweet) and bring them along. A bit like the Sunday school Jacob's joins we had as children. Everyone likes to contribute something special to occasions like this, so everything should be extra scrummy, there will be at least two things that everyone likes and it is the ideal opportunity for people to complement each other on their creations, so the "ambience" should be great!! Enjoy Abigail