athomeontheprairie Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 We're having a birthday party to celebrate my dh's grandfathers 80th birthday. We are expecting around 200 people. I like to put together a guestbook for people to sign so that he has a keepsake. but I'd like it to be more than a traditional "sign your name" guestbook. I'm really looking for suggestions, hive! for you creative types, what would you do? it's a come and go event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 For a friend's wedding recently, we got the couple a print that had spaces for guests to sign and leave well wishes (in this case it was a tree and guests signed the leaves, but I'm sure there are many variations on this general idea). After the wedding we had it matted and framed, and they now have it hanging by their bed. It's a sweet reminder of their special day and good friends that they can enjoy every day and not have just tucked away in a drawer. I've also seen platters that can be signed (and then baked so the ink becomes permanent). It's sweet of you to think of this! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 I've seen it now where instead of a book, they give the guests a page. At one wedding I went to awhile ago there were sort of choices. You could have a traditional page with just a place for your names and a box for well wishes. But there were a couple of others with more prompts like specific memories of the couple and a place to draw a little picture. It was kind of funny, but I think if people really did some of them, it would be cool. We wrote funny wishes on ours and having these slightly quirky prompts definitely freed us into feeling like that was a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 You could have everyone bring a photo and make an album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 You could have everyone bring a photo and make an album. Not possible. Invites have already gone out... but maybe photos on site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 I've seen it now where instead of a book, they give the guests a page. At one wedding I went to awhile ago there were sort of choices. You could have a traditional page with just a place for your names and a box for well wishes. But there were a couple of others with more prompts like specific memories of the couple and a place to draw a little picture. It was kind of funny, but I think if people really did some of them, it would be cool. We wrote funny wishes on ours and having these slightly quirky prompts definitely freed us into feeling like that was a good idea. This is sorta what I have in my head. Do you remember what those quirky prompts might have been? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 For our wedding we took pictures of all our guests and left space in the guest book to attach them later. It has been a wonderful memory especially since my husband and I didn't necessarily know each other's extended families or family friends at the time. The new trend at parties is a photo booth which is really just a fun background and maybe some props. You could ask someone to be in charge of making sure all the guests have their picture taken even if you choose not to use props. I probably wouldn't for an 80th birthday party. Later you could load those pictures on a digital frame or make a book through Shutterfly or a similar service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmvaughan4 Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 You could use Project Life cards, then put them in an album with photos from the party. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 How about a paper about 11x14 with "80" written big and fancy/colorful/whatever and people sign around it. Frame it and would be perfect! You can bring the frame with you to the party and send the framed paper home with him from the party Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 I feel so old. My parents are 84, almost 85. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 I feel so old. My parents are 84, almost 85. Sigh. Fwiw, my Dh is 5 years older than me. My patents are in their 70's. I don't feel old yet, but there is certainly a generation gap between our parents. It makes them feel old when everyone gets together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 What about asking guests for a funny story relating to your DH's grandfather? Or a bit of wisdom that they've learned through their life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Can you photograph all of the guests and make a photo book for him as a keepsake? That would be a nice momento. Maybe get a quote from everyone to go under their picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 For my FIL's 80th, we had a come and go tea and then a family dinner in the evening. We had a video guest book set up, so that everyone popped in front of the video camera (manned by one of the grandsons) to say their name and a few words to FIL. That got edited and made into a DVD for him. We also uploaded it to one family member's social media account so that people who couldn't make it could view it, too. It worked really well and FIL loved it. In hindsight, we wished we had invited people who couldn't come to record their own video, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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