Party Ideas?

[bluemoon]

2009 is quite a significant year for our family. We have:
Two weddings, one in April and one 'sometime in the summer' when my cousin has finished his PhD
A 60th birthday, 2 x 50th's, a 40th, a 30th and a 21st.
A 30th wedding anniversary, a 25th and a 20th.
It's unlikely that every family member will be at each celebration, even the weddings are on different sides. Chatting with mum last night we thought it might be quite nice to have some sort of general celebration, but we can't think what. We've already been to an hotel for a family meal twice in the past year or so and want something a little different to that. Mum has suggested a sort of family barbie - without the barbecue as she hates them - so what we're talking about is a sort of sandwiches and champagne 'Garden Party'.... though that's way too pretentious a name for it. The trouble is, I know my kids (all in their 20's) will hate the idea. Unless I can come up with something else though we'll probably be stuck with it.
So far celebrations already arranged include a masquerade ball (for the 60th birthday) And some sort of horrendous sounding karaoke/ABBA themed thing being dreamed up by my kids for my 50th, so I can't even get out of it. The first (the 40th birthday) is next week and the last (the 30th birthday) is on Christmas Eve, with everything else evenly spread through the year. The summer would be a good time for the big party. Oh, and mum wants something where we all have to dress nicely. Any thoughts?

[FionaH]

A giant bouncy castle might keep the 20 somethings amused for hours! Might be a bit tricky in posh clothes though. What about a day at the races with a picnic/nibbles in the garden after?

[bluemoon]

A giant bouncy castle might keep the 20 somethings amused for hours! Might be a bit tricky in posh clothes though. What about a day at the races with a picnic/nibbles in the garden after?

That's a good idea. Mum used to live near Doncaster and would go to the races from time to time before she married, she might just go for that. Perhaps the St Ledger (Leger?) I believe that's in September which is the one month when nothing is happening.

[maytreefrannie]

Last week, I was at a Sixties night (1960s) - it was held at a house, we dressed up (sort of) in 60s gear and had 60s-type drinks and food. It was great - I'm not usually one for "themed" parties but I and everyone else really enjoyed it.

Reading your post about the proposed family get-together I was thinking of something along those lines except not 1960s but with a theme of your childhoods - like photos and mementos from years ago and no doubt plenty of stories to pass on to the younger generation. Like a sort of "This is Your Life" except that it would be about the life and times of the family.

[allotmentlady]

Burn Hall, near YORK, Hotel, Conference and Training Centre - Burn Hall, we had a lovely party there last year, VERY beautiful grounds and they try to accommodate all of your needs.

Good prices too.

[jackie j]

When my OH was 50 his firm where he worked had quite a few peoplw celebrating an 0 birthday so they arranged a party and called it 'The big 0 ' so no matter how old it included from 10 (our daughter ) to 50, It was held in a garden with a marque and we had indian food supplied by an outside caterer.
I have my daughters 13th and my sons 30th one day apart should be interesting.