50th birthday party - help!

**madhen** · 09-14-2008, 03:24 PM

My sister is planning a surprise 50th bday party for her husband. I am trying to help her come up with some decorating ideas.

I am catering the party, so I'd love some ideas about small items that can either be placed on the table or even scattered around the edges of platters.

My sister would love some ideas for decorating the home. She is inviting about 20 people over, some of whom he hasn't seen for a while, and she wants this to be a fun event.

I am open to any advice or suggestions!!

**PrairieRose** · 09-14-2008, 03:37 PM

How about one of the diaper cakes they make for baby showers, out of Depends? (you'd have to google it for the pattern or design)...not sure they're very frugal but would be oh so funny. You could use things like age related over the counter things for decor. You know, denture cream, age spot cream, wrinkle creams, Prep H, blue M & M's (to imitate viagra, etc...)....All I can think of are funny things, probably not much help for a more 'tasteful' party....

(I've never been famous for my 'cooth'....snork)

**madhen** · 09-14-2008, 04:00 PM

Hey, my family is all one short step from trailer trash, so "tasteful" doesn't enter our vocabulary often.

Great ideas!

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-14-2008, 04:11 PM

In our dance group we celebrate the "0" birthdays with a decorated throne aka potty chair. Streamers and black ballons. An old burger king plastic crown, a wooden cane wth a squeeky horn attached for a septer and a woolen sweater grandma style for a robe. The cake is 3 cardboard rounds glued together in a stack and covered with mini candy bars of all kinds. Top of cake is kisses.
Of course all guests come in black morning attire or red dresses to dance on the grave. These ladies usually end up giving the "Old Man" a tame lap dance during the evening. Not an easy thing to do with side bars on the potty chair.

Laurie in Bradenton

**madhen** · 09-14-2008, 04:31 PM

Hmm...I'm not seeing my sister agreeing to let the female guests give her hubby a lap dance....

I like the crown and scepter ideas, though! Maybe a ratty bathrobe to boot.

**JerryG** · 09-14-2008, 05:23 PM

Great ideas! I don't have anything to add, but when I turned 30 (many years ago) my sis sent me a "care package" that had things like denture adhesive, etc. It was pretty funny.

**madhen** · 09-29-2008, 12:24 AM

Okay, we decided to go with a "golden" theme, because 50 is the golden anniversary.

I feel somewhat conflicted, because here I am trying to live a frugal life, and when my sister asked me to cater the party (I do it a little on the side), and I asked her what she wanted to spend, her response was, oh, I don't know, five or six hundred? (In a tone that questioned if that was too low.) My conflict comes from accepting the "gig" and understanding that she does NOT want a frugal party. I feel as if I'm kind of cheating her, because I also know that she and her husband are not in the best financial situation right now. But on the other hand, I can give her a lot more bang for her buck than a stranger could.

Right now, we've agreed on $375, with me providing the food, plates, and decoration. She is taking care of the cake. I am going to try to do it for less, but some of the dishes she wants include expensive ingredients, so we'll see. My only profit will be that I can keep the leftover raw ingredients after I make up all the food, and I can probably steal some of my leftovers, as well.

So, any advice re: "golden" decorations appreciated, and I'll try to get some pics! (The party isn't until 10/24.)

**nvmommyx6** · 09-29-2008, 12:29 AM

What are her thoughts on the food, I can help with recipes

**madhen** · 09-29-2008, 01:31 AM

We've actually already got the menu set, and they are all recipes that I've used before, because I am comfortable with them and know that they will appeal to the people who will be in attendance. Basic party food like stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktails, mini-quiches, hot wings, fresh veggie platter, meat and cheese platter, etc. She insists on cocktail meatballs (which I hate, but oh well). She wants all appetizer/finger food items, so people can move around while they eat. Also a small dessert plate, primarily fresh fruit with chocolate bark and butter-type cookies. Can't remember them all, but I have a written list. The final menu has WAY too many foods for that small of a crowd, but she refuses to knock any off. I'll also be paying for the decorations (out of the $375), to include gold table cloths (or maybe black with gold serving trays, depends on what I find), streamers, balloons, etc.