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Ask the Party
Expert...
"Dear Party Expert,
I'm searching for some really creative ideas for my husband's surprise
birthday. He will be turning 40...so I really want to make it a
fun time!
I'd like ideas for invitations, theme, etc. I was thinking of
having guests
come dressed as "elderly" people. What do you think?
I'd appreciate any and
all suggestions you may have. Thanks a million!
Sharla
Dear Sharla,
This is a fabulous idea. So,
let's start off with the invitation.
INVITATION
If you're computer-savvy, create, copy or crop a retirement facility
photo from the Internet. Or if drawing happens to be your talent
or someone you know, design your own facility. Then, add a
caption.
An example: "Sunnyshine (put your last name here)
Retirement Village
Welcomes Bill (put your husband's name here) Into Old-Age With A
Bang"
Gather your canes and walkers and help us celebrate his achievement.
Proper
attire is requested (gray hair, beards, housecoats, etc.) Prizes
will be awarded for the "best dressed elderly folk" so wear
your Sunday best.
THEME
Borrow any canes and walkers you can to set about the main living
quarters
where the party will be held.
Make an elderly couple from clothing and newspaper (much the same way
you
would do for a scarecrow) and have them sitting at the front
door/entrance to
greet the guests.
Display eyeglasses on the refreshment table. Pick up senior
freebie
magazines and newspaper and set around. Usually you can get
these at the
library or local retailers.
PARTY FAVORS
Ask your local pharmacist for pillboxes and prescription bottles.
Some might
give these to you or charge a small fee. Fill with candies that
are round or
oval to look like pills. Give these as party favors.
If you're really want to go all out, purchase cloth totes (check the
dollar
stores) and stencil or write "Sunnyshine Retirement Village"
on the front.
Fill with small items such as sugar-free candies, purse-size packages
of
tissues, and homemade boxes of denture tablets (use round candy to
look like
it).
ENTERTAINMENT
Rent black & white films or borrow from the library to show.
If your husband
is into sports, see if you can obtain a video relating to sports from
yesteryear.
Snap pictures of the "dressed" guests and post on a board.
Number each
photo. Give each person one slip to vote for the best
"dressed" and give a
prize to the winner.
While you're at the library, borrow music from the twenties and
thirties.
Play this throughout the evening.
How's that to get you started?
Have fun.
Mary Jo
Every Day Should Be A Party Day!
Party Expert, author and mother-of-two, Mary Jo
Rulnick, has planned, prepared and hosted parties for all ages from toddlers to senior citizens.
Her experience includes the position of Girl Scout Day Camp Director, Party
Coordinator for a local Elementary School and YMCA, and Events Planner for
Senior Living Services. If you have a question for our Party Expert, contact
Mary Jo Rulnick at party@mainstreetmom.com.
http://MainStreetMom.com |
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