I Need To Party Like it's 1969!!!

[Hillary in KS]

My in-laws are celebrating their 40TH wedding anniversary in February, and we kids would like to throw them a surprise party.

 

I am a planner, however, not a partier, and need some party ideas.

 

Have you been to a creative anniversary party? Or have you seen something really neat done and filed it away in your mind for future use? Would you send your creative ideas my way, please?

 

Thank you!

[Amy in Orlando]

Congratulations to your parents!

 

For my dad's 65th anniversary, my mom arranged for my dad's two best friends to fly in for what he thought was a small family party. She also contacted their out of town friends. Those who couldn't attend sent cards with pictures and their favorite memories. My dad was beyond surprised.

 

At the party (held at my parents house), my mom had little photo albums with pictures from my dad's past all over the house. My brother made some cd's with mixes of music from 1942 to the present that was playing in the background. It was a loose open-house kind of thing that went from about 5 pm to the wee hours. People came and went as they liked. It really was a great party.

[Apiphobic]

We had a party for my parents' 40th. We held it in a private room upstairs at their favorite restaurant. Friends and family from out-of-town met for dinner downstairs first, and then the party started afterwards. We had hors d'oeuvres on two tables on the side of the room. I'll try to remember what we did and link as much as possible to stuff we used.

 

The color theme was ruby for their 40th anniversary. Balloons were ruby, silver and white bunches. I just went to a local rental shop and ordered the balloons, ribbon, and weights from them. They blew up the balloons, bundled them together with the ribbon and weights, and then bagged them for us on the morning of the party. We picked them up that morning and took them to the restaurant. (You'll want to pick them up when you move them around. If you drag them, the balloons will pop. Static electricity?)

 

We also decorated the room with white Christmas lights. The party was in December and I'm pretty sure we found the lights on sale at Walmart or someplace similar. I found 40th anniversary ruby confetti online and scattered them on the tables (white tablecloths).

 

 

I bought glass heart-shaped candy dishes for each table and filled them with wedding conversation hearts candy. I also had bud vases with 40th anniversary centerpieces displayed. (I can't find the ones we used, but the one linked is similar. I think the ones I found had the 40 in the center and the little strands all around just had stars. I may have found them at a local balloon shop in the wedding section.)

 

We put disposable cameras on each table, but you need to make sure there's enough light for the pictures to turn out. Our party was at night, so there wasn't much light in the room for the pictures. We had a cake made by a local lady (my parents' favorite flavors - I think we had two chocolate and one lemon). I found a cake topper with two rocking chairs online. They personalized the topper with ruby flowers and your choice of gold or silver for the number.

 

 

My mom found a singing balloon (scroll down to the middle of the page and you can listen to it) with one of her favorite songs (Still the One by Orleans) and got it from a local flower shop. They used a beer bottle for the weight.

 

 

Yes, we all tried to color-coordinate our outfits, too.

 

We had two kinds of champagne because my dad liked brut and my mom liked rose champagne. I think that's what they were, but I can't remember for sure. There was a bar there, but it was not an open bar. People had to pay for their own alcohol, but sodas and the champagne were paid for by us.

 

I ordered personalized wedding coasters (white scalloped with burgundy lettering). I think we just used plain burgundy napkins. I also found some red and white glass heart rocks/gems at Michael's and put those in glass dishes on each table. (I think mine were a little different than the ones linked. The red ones were heart-shaped but the white ones were round.)

 

I scanned in tons of pictures of my parents and made a slideshow with powerpoint. We set up the screen in the corner of the room and planned to just let it run throughout the night. We were lucky because it worked out that everyone saw it at the same time. When the party started I had to run to the airport to pick up my aunt and uncle. So by the time we got there everyone else had been chatting for a while, and when I started the slideshow they all sat down to watch. I think it helped that the DJ announced the start of the slideshow, which was nice since I hadn't asked him to do that.

 

(This picture is to show the screen in the corner with the slideshow playing throughout the night. I think I started with a toddler picture of each of them and titled it "And so it begins ..." Then I just went through their lives, adding subtitles for humor. If I knew certain friends or family were going to be at the party, I tried to find pictures of them with my parents and include that in the slideshow.

 

 

Music was a biggie for us. My dad's a DJ and there are songs he does not like. I asked my parents to write a list of their favorite songs and to let me know if there were any particular songs they did not want. (My dad detests When a Man Loves a Woman.) Since yours is a surprise party, you'll have to get a little creative finding out their favorites.

 

Then I searched online for different sites for song recommendations.

 

Anniversary party music

 

Party Professional On-line First Dance Songs

 

Pop Music Hits of 1969 Song Chart

 

Their wedding year was 1967 so there were a lot of songs I wasn't familiar with and I had to look up the lyrics to a lot of songs before deciding whether or not to include it on my wish list for the DJ.

 

Anyway, I wrote a letter to the DJ with my list of favorites and special requests (what song to play for the first dance, cake cutting, etc.), and he did a fantastic job so we were really happy with him. Let me know if you want the list of songs we came up with. They weren't all from 1967, but many of them were appropriate for the event (meaning Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" wasn't on the list).

 

We also found a site online for a memory book and had people contribute their well wishes or favorites memories, etc., to this In Celebration of ... book. It worked out really well for friends and family who couldn't make it. I think this is one of my parents' favorite gifts, and I'm so glad we did this. The only thing I was disappointed in was the photo quality if people added their pictures. It wasn't as good as I would've liked. If you decide to upload pictures, make sure they were originally shot as digital photos and not scanned in and then uploaded to the site.

 

 

I first sent out an email almost a year before the party in order to give out-of-town friends and family plenty of notice. Then we printed out our own invitations and mailed them about six months in advance. These invitations included instructions on how to sign the "In Celebration of Rod & Nancy's 40th Anniversary" book online. A few weeks before the party, we sent out these invitations.

 

Because there were so many out-of-town friends and family who came to the party and had never been to Montana before, I bought a bunch of little Montana gifts to use for a game at the party. The kids and I wrapped the gifts in plain white gift bags and decorated them with our own brand of creativity. Throughout the night I'd ask questions from a little booklet I'd printed out with tidbits about my parents' lives.

 

Did You Know?

 

Rod and Nancy met on January 10, 1966

 

Married in Reno

 

Moved to Montana in 1979

 

etc.

 

Whoever answered correctly was invited onto the stage to share how they'd met my parents. Some people were shy, but others had a great time and really added to the fun. And, of course, they got a little Montana gift.

 

We adapted the Hillbilly song to print on the front and back of the booklet. It was based on a joke that the grandkids started about being "Montana Hillbillies."

 

Come and listen to a story about a man named Rod

Livin' in Vegas, with a family that was odd,

Then one day he was taking a snooze,

When down through the grapevine came orders to move.

 

PCS, that is, transfer, assignment.

 

Well, the first thing you know ol' Rod's a missileer,

Air Force said, "Rod, move away from here"

Said "Montany is the place you ought to be"

So they loaded up the truck and moved to Electric City.

 

Great Falls, that is.

Subzero temps, high winds.

 

The Montana Hillbillies!

and on the back:

 

Well, now it's time to say good-bye to Rod and all his kin.

And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin' in.

 

You're all invited back again to this locality

To have a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality

 

Hillybilly, that is. Set a spell. Take your shoes off. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

 

Oh, almost forgot. We asked people not to bring gifts or cards (some still did), but we hung up a banner that people could sign.

 

 

It was a LOT of work, but it was so worth it. We have wonderful memories from that week, and I think it's great that you want to do this for your in-laws. Good luck and have fun!

Edited October 17, 2008 by Apiphobic

[Apiphobic]

Here is the music list:

 

His favorites: Beatles, Eagles, The Who, James Gang, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Bob Seger, ZZTop, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Dire Straits, Guess Who, Billy Joel

 

Her favorites: Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Bob Seger, Buddy Holly, Billy Joel

 

(Neither are big fans of country or today's top 40 music. They prefer classic rock.)

Please do not play Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" (not a favorite)

 

SONG LIST:

Through the Years - Kenny Rogers (1982)

It Had to Be You - Frank Sinatra

Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt (1989)

When I Said I Do - Clint Black (1999)

All My Life - Linda Ronstadt (1990)

Still the One - Orleans (1976)

It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley (1960)

 

Special Requests:

** I Only Have Eyes for You - Flamingos (1959) (first dance?)

** Drift Away - Dobie Gray (1973)

** Two of Us - Beatles (1970)

** Have a Little Faith in Me - Delbert McClinton (1992)

** Something's Burning - Kenny Rogers (1970)

** I Walk a Crooked Street - Neil Diamond (1971)

** A Groovy Kind of Love - Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders (1966) (he played this when they cut the cake)

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - B.J. Thomas (1966)

I Got You Babe - Sonny and Cher (1965)

Play Me - Neil Diamond (1972)

I'm a Believer - Monkees (1966)

To Love Somebody - BeeGees (1967)

All You Need is Love - Beatles (1967)

Best of My Love - Eagles (1975)

Lady - Kenny Rogers (1980)

Lady - Little River Band (1970)

Lady - Styx (1975)

Forever and For Always - Shania Twain ((2003)

Every Time I Roll the Dice - Delbert McClinton (1992)

Help Me Make It Through the Night - Sammi Smith (1971)

Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison (1964)

Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler (1989)

Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant (1969)

Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman - Bryan Adams (1995)

 

Still the One - Shania Twain (1998)

The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (1974)

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf (1968)

Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf (1968)

Feel Like Makin' Love - Bad Company (1975)

Sweet Music Man - Kenny Rogers (1977)

I Just Can't Help Believin' - Elvis Presley (1970)

Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede (1974)

Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (1974)

Still in Love - Lionel Richie (1996)

Making Memories of Us - Keith Urban (2005)

 

When I'm Sixty-Four - Beatles (1967) special dance for them as a joke?

Here There and Everywhere - Beatles (1966)

Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers (1965)

My Love - Petula Clark (1966)

I've Got You Under My Skin - The Four Seasons (1966)

Love Makes the World Go Round - Deon Jackson (1966)

Cherry, Cherry - Neil Diamond (1966)

The More I See You - Chris Montez (1966)

 

Burning Love - Elvis Presley (1972)

Happy Together - The Turtles (1967)

I Was Made to Love Her - Stevie Wonder (1967)

Eight Days a Week - Beatles (1965)

Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye with Tammi Terrell (1967)

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson (1967)

You're My Everything - Temptations (1967)

Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group (1967)

Thank the Lord for the Night Time - Neil Diamond (1967)

Love is All Around - Troggs (1968)

More Today than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase (1969)

Can't Get Enough - Bad Company (1974)

You Got to Me - Neil Diamond (1967)

I'll Be - Edwin McCain (1997)

My Girl - Temptations (1965)

My Guy - Mary Wells (1964)

Rave On - Buddy Holly (1958)

That'll Be the Day - Buddy Holly (1957)

Oh Boy! - Buddy Holly (1957)

Let's Stay Together - Tina Turner (1984)

You and Me - Lifehouse (2005)

When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman - Dr. Hook (1979)

When You Love a Woman - Journey (1997)

It's a Love Thing - Keith Urban (2000)

Somebody Like You - Keith Urban (2002)

Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray (1980)

Forever - Kenny Loggins (1985)

Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison (1989)

How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye (1964)

Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop (1976)

Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel (1978)

Tell Him - The Exciters (1964)

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (1978)

Come Rain or Come Shine - Ella Fitzgerald (1960)

Matter of Trust - Billy Joel (1986)

Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered - Barbra Streisand (1964)

(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes (1987)

All Right Now - Free (1970)

From This Moment On - Shania Twain (1998)

Because the Night - 10,000 Maniacs (1998)

All Shook Up - Elvis Presley (1957)

Do Wah Ditty - Manfred Mann (1964)

Chances Are - Johnny Mathis (1957)

Good Lovin' - The Rascals (1966)

You'll Accomp'ny Me - Bog Seger (1980)

Power of Love - Laura Branigan (1987)

The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley (1970)

She's Got a Way - Billy Joel (1971)

Gimme All Your Lovin' - ZZTop (1983)

The Best - Tina Turner (1989)

Breathe - Faith Hill (1999)

The Night is Still Young - Billy Joel (1985)

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley (1962)

Caught Up in You - .38 Special (1982)

Hold My Hand - Hootie & the Blowfish (1994)

Stumblin' In - Suzi Quatro (1979)

You Are - LeAnn Rimes

Unwell - Matchbox 20 (theme song for Rod?)

Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne (2003) theme song for Nancy? (cut before line about mowing lawn)

 

Grandkids' requests:

Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson (2006)

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira (2006)

Photograph - Nickelback (2005)

1985 - Bowling for Soup (2004)

Invisible Touch - Genesis (1986)

All-Star - Smashmouth (1999)

I'd Do Anything for Love - Meatloaf (1993)

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield (2005)

Devil Went Down to Georgia - Charlie Daniels Band (1979)

Copperhead Road - Steve Earle (1988)

Inside Your Heaven - Carrie Underwood (2005)

Savin' Me - Nickelback (2006)

My World - Bo Bice (2005)

Hang On - Smashmouth (2003)

How You Remind Me - Nickelback (2001)

Bad Reputation - Halfcocked (Shrek)

The Gambler - Kenny Rogers (1978)

The Saga Begins (Jedi Song) - Weird Al Yankovic (1999)

Big Yellow Taxi - Amy Grant (1995)

Life is a Highway - Rascal Flatts (2006)

 

Just for Fun:

In the City - Eagles (1979)

Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins (1956)

A Fool Such as I - Elvis Presley (1959)

The Pilgrim, Chapter 33 - Kris Kristofferson (1972)

Sunday Morning Coming Down - Kris Kristofferson (1972)

The Silver Tongued Devil and I - Kris Kristofferson (1971)

I Was the One - Elvis Presley (1956)

La Bamba - Ritchie Valens (1959)

Hotel California - Eagles (1977)

Peace Train - Cat Stevens (1971)

Tall Cool One - The Wailers (1959)

Red Red Wine - Neil Diamond (1968)

Black Velvet - Alanna Myles (1990)

My Generation - The Who (1966)

Soak Up the Sun - Sheryl Crow (2002)

Baba O'Riley - The Who (1971)

After All - Cher and Peter Cetera (1989)

Sleeping Bag - ZZTop (1985)

Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band (1977)

Shambala - Three Dog Night (1973)

It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel (1980)

Thunderstruck - AC/DC (1990)

Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet (1977)

My Life - Billy Joel (1979)

Roll Me Away - Bob Seger (1983)

Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty (1978)

I Walk the Line - Live (not the Johnny Cash version) 2004

Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen (1988)

You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry (1964)

Hold on Loosely - .38 Special (1981)

Join Together - The Who (1972)

Squeezebox - The Who (1976)

Funk 49 - James Gang (1969)

Life in the Fast Lane - Eagles (1977)

Stand By Me - Ben E. King (1961)

Joy to the World - Three Dog Night (1971)

The First Cut is the Deepest - Rod Stewart (1977)

Who Made Who - AC/DC (1986)

Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits (1981)

Like a Rock - Bob Seger (1986)

You May Be Right - Billy Joel (1980)

We Will Rock You - Queen (1977)

Everyday is a Winding Road - Sheryl Crow (1997)

Rock N Roll Fantasy - Bad Company (1979)

 

Dance songs for later in the evening:

Get Right - Jennifer Lopez (2005)

Play - Jennifer Lopez (2001)

Walking on a Thin Line - Huey Lewis & the News (1984)

On the Dark Side - John Cafferty (1984)

Strokin' - Clarence Carter (2000)

Midnight Blue - Lou Gramm (1987)

December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons (1976)

Working My Way Back to You - The Spinners (1966)

Let the Music Play - Shannon (1984)

Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis & the News (1984)

Run Away - Real McCoy (1995)

Twist & Shout - Beatles (1964)

Dancing Queen - ABBA (1977)

Who Let the Dogs Out - Baja Men (2000)

Funkytown - Lipps, Inc. (1980)

Under Pressure - David Bowie and Queen (1981)

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC (1980)

What I Like About You - The Romantics (1980)

Wild Thing - The Troggs (1966)

Start Me Up - Rolling Stones (1981)

Do You Love Me - Contours (1962)

Shout - Isley Brothers (1959)

Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers (1976)

Hey Baby - No Doubt (2001)

Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake (2003)

Mony, Mony - Billy Idol (1987)

I Need to Know - Marc Anthony (1999)

The Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim (1998)

Praise You - Fatboy Slim (1999)

Electric Slide - Marcia Griffiths (1976)

Love Shack - B-52's (1989)

Ring My Bell - Anita Ward (1979)

Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter (1996)

Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen (1985)

Lean on Me - Club Nouveau (1986)

Edited October 17, 2008 by Apiphobic

[Josie]

Thanks for the song list. Brought back a lot of memories.

[Apiphobic]

Thanks for the song list. Brought back a lot of memories.

 

Well, cool! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You actually read the whole list??? ;)

 

We got a lot of compliments about the music afterwards. I couldn't hear most of it because I was running around like a madwoman with the toast, the cake cutting, pictures, restarting the slideshow, game questions, first dance, yadda yadda yadda.

 

I think I heard one song because my aunt said, "I love this song!" when we were serving the cake. I stopped for a second to listen to it. And I remember the DJ played Celebration by Kool & the Gang, because I hate that song and wished I'd remembered to include it in the Do Not Play list. My dad doesn't like the Macarena song either and I forgot to put that on there, but luckily he didn't play that. He did play the overused YMCA song though. By that time, most of the people didn't care what was playing. They just wanted to get out there and dance.

 

The DJ was awesome though. We got really lucky with him. We knew he was a good DJ and booked him months in advance. He sang some Elvis songs, too, which was great because my mom loves Elvis. He had a bubble machine that he started when they did the first dance. He was just fantastic!

[Julie in AZ]

My parents will be celebrating their 40th next year too. We'd love to have a party for them. We're talking about having a small party with their friends/family during their regular Bible study night.

 

I have their wedding cake topper (we used it for our wedding too) that I plan to have on top of the cake.

 

One thing that people loved from our wedding was fruit and cheese trays as centerpieces on all the tables. Colorful, pretty, and yummy!

 

I hope you get lots of good ideas. :)

[Mom to Aly]

Well, I can't help with too many memories (I was three), but what about a party like it is 1969--you know, the theme (brain dead--couldn't think of the word--how sad is that???). So much happened that year, and you could have plenty up about it. Maybe then highlights, done like news, from their lives since, instead of news, or along with it, like, in the news from this year, this happened (around the world), while this happened (in their lives--this child was born, etc). See what I mean? Sorry, did I mention I'm brain dead today?

 

Anyway--good luck--I'd actually love to plan something like this! I love planning things. Yes, I am a masochist!

[Amy in Orlando]

Well, I can't help with too many memories (I was three), but what about a party like it is 1969--you know, the theme (brain dead--couldn't think of the word--how sad is that???). So much happened that year, and you could have plenty up about it. Maybe then highlights, done like news, from their lives since, instead of news, or along with it, like, in the news from this year, this happened (around the world), while this happened (in their lives--this child was born, etc). See what I mean? Sorry, did I mention I'm brain dead today?

 

Anyway--good luck--I'd actually love to plan something like this! I love planning things. Yes, I am a masochist!

 

Ooo that would be a fun party.

[Hillary in KS]

Congrats with the 40th anniversary of your in-laws. It would be easy but unique if you use a tablecloth on their wedding with the combination of flowers. Hope I can celebrate my 40th wedding when the time comes.

 

Thanks, but I originally posted this question nearly 2 years ago.

 

We did have a great celebration for my in-law....in Feb. 2009. :D

 

Thanks for the idea, though. I'll file it away for the next occasion.

[Julie in CA]

I'm a cake decorator, and I often duplicate wedding cakes for anniversaries. If you have a decent picture of your mom & dad cutting their wedding cake, you could see if you can find a cake decorator who will duplicate it as closely as possible. I like it when folks put a framed picture of the wedding couple cutting their wedding cake on the anniversary cake table so folks can compare. It always gets great compliments. :001_smile: