Budget Buster

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2005
Budget Buster
5
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 6:03am
OMG I am so bad I totally forgot my parents have their 50th annv. on June 3rd. Now I have to put together a party and pay for it. Thank god for my Aunt who is willing to help me. I will have to pull the money out of my summer camping fund. I think I am going to do hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, baked beans,crackers and cheese etc. I am also thinking about getting one of those cakes with the picture on it and use their wedding picture. Is it rude to ask some people to bring something (the close family members) The bad thing my dad says to me Mom and I have beeen married 50 years on the June 3rd do you think someone would have a cookout. I think that was a pretty good hint. Parents you just gotta love them. I am just glad that they are pretty healthy. Mom is 70 and Dad is 73. Any other ideas for cheap goodies is very much welcomed. Thanks.

over 40 and tired

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 8:26am

I think the rudeness question depends on what the custom is in your family.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 8:30am

I think what you have planned sounds wonderful! Keep it casual, and that'll save lots of money. Do you belong to a warehouse store of any kind? Costco? BJ's Wholesale? Sam's Club? If so, or if you know someone who does, you could get a good deal on the hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, cheese slices, and even things like lettuce, tomato, or onion for the burger fixin's. They have huge bottles of ketchup and mustard, and large packages of plates and cups too.

Maybe you could ask close relatives to bring drinks? Since those can get expensive fast when you're having an outdoor summer party, having some help in that area would be fantastic. Bottled water is a good choice (store brand or warehouse club brand would be cheapest probably), and then search the sales for all the other soft drinks.

Your parents will love just seeing everyone together and laughing/talking together, so keep any decorations to a minimum, and that will save some money also.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 1:21pm

As for invitations, if you have a program like print master on your computer, you should be able to come up with a neat invitation and make it up much cheaper than getting invitations. Or if you want to go the postcard route, you might be able to find some postcard stock at one of the computer places. postcards would be cheaper for mailing. (its not that hard even to include a picture of the couple right in the invitation. )

also as far as food goes, if your family does potlucks a bunch or has special dishes that are made every get together you might ask the person who traditionally make them to make it for the getogether, especially if your parents are known to really like certain dishes. I know my grandparents were crazy about my pecan cream pie, so i would make it for holiday meals. We had to have pumpkin because that was traditional....but the first time I took the pecan cream pie when i was ready to leave Grandpa was waiving a spatula at me telling me I was NOT taking either the pie or the lasagna with me!! He was keeping every speck of it!!

Auntydoxzz

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 3:27pm
Hi, over40--- 50th anniversary? What a blessed occasion and special celebration! I think everyone has the right idea for spreading out expenses--it is unrealistic and daunting to expect the host or hostess to foot the entire bill. The Costco or Sam's Club idea might work to get the non-perishable staples--sparkling cider, plates, plastic champagne glasses, etc. l)Party outlet for ideas? For bridal shower, I got the colored almonds and candies, netting, inexpensive ribbon, and made the favors. The HIT? Those mini blow-bubble things--no rice, fuss, mess. 2)For DH's parents 50th, we sent pics for "memory lane" photo album and someone also made a quilt with kids/grandkids' names, BD's, pics on it. 3)Music? CD's of parents' favorites. No DJ or band. 4)Food theme? Are you having hor d'ouevres, sit-down dinner or potluck? The "kids" rented a church hall for the many relatives and friends, kept it simple--cake, hor d'ouevres, and then took the parents out for private dinner later in the week. 5)Girlfriend, if you are looking for recipes, I will be glad to share or help out---glazed meatballs, chicken salad with grapes, apples, whipping cream/mayo, mango salsa, marinated salad, spinach/parmesan stuffed mushrooms, etc. Fondly, Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Mon, 05-08-2006 - 3:46pm

I don't think calling a few of the people in your family and asking if they could bring something to help out would be at all rude....maybe for a different occasion, but a 50th anniversary is a huge deal few people get to celebrate anymore.
I just went to Sams this week to get things for my daughters birthday party, and I am lucky enough to have a schwebels (bread) outlet nearby. We ended up doing hamburgers and brats, chips, veggies and dip, etc. Our party lasted for two hours, and that was plenty of food for that time frame. I think in your situation though, I might try to see if someone would help with the grilling ahead of time, or just go to something less labor intensive like spaghetti and garlic bread...just so you don't miss out on the whole party because you are cooking!!! Things will probably be on sale at the grocery store that week too, since Memorial Day is right around there. How many people are you going to invite?

This sounds like fun!!
Heather