My mom is turning 80 and I need ideas for decorations for the party archived
Jul 17, 2013 at 4:46pm
I wouldn't do a piñata. How is an 80 yr old going to hit a piñata? And, you are right, what could you possibly fill it with that she'd like?
What does she like? What time of day is the party? Who is coming ( mostly her friends or just family)?
Favorite color?
What does she like? What time of day is the party? Who is coming ( mostly her friends or just family)?
Favorite color?
Balloons! Everybody likes balloons. You can buy them at Party City or similar place, and then have them inflated at the stationery store in Maplewood village...
I haven't a clue....
How about some classic candies in the piñata? I've never shopped there but the shop in Millburn might have some items.
"Classic" is a possible theme - if you can get movie posters, records (yes vinyl) from her youth.
"Classic" is a possible theme - if you can get movie posters, records (yes vinyl) from her youth.
I wouldn't do a piñata but if she happens to like candy you can do a candy bar, basically assorted glass containers filled with m&ms, and other assorted little candies. (As a photographer I am sure you have seen).
Does she have a favorite flower?
I would do some type of sign in book. And you can even have a digital camera there for funny selfies that you can print and put in the book.
A few balloons might be festive, maybe even pretty fabric draped on walls if you have access to some.
Does she have a favorite activity? Cards? Books?
Does she have a favorite flower?
I would do some type of sign in book. And you can even have a digital camera there for funny selfies that you can print and put in the book.
A few balloons might be festive, maybe even pretty fabric draped on walls if you have access to some.
Does she have a favorite activity? Cards? Books?
I love this website for party ideas:
http://ohhappyday.com/
Check out the cute fans they have on the homepage -- if it's a hot day, that could be a nice favor/decoration.
http://ohhappyday.com/
Check out the cute fans they have on the homepage -- if it's a hot day, that could be a nice favor/decoration.
You can get her a framed copy of the NY Times from the day she was born.
Posting from my phone or I'd offer a link.
Posting from my phone or I'd offer a link.
What if you got front - on photos of her during each of her 8 decades and printed out life size face masks? Or is that too creepy?
i think the pinata idea is hysterical and if you think she'd be up for it, why not? how about scratch-off lottery tickets and some sweets? the grandchildren can help!
Jul 17, 2013 at 6:12pm Edited
How is an 80 yr old going to hit a piñata? My 80YO mother would hit a pinata with her titanium Ping 6-iron. And she'd like it if you filled it with salted caramels. I think something really lavish would be fun -- kind of an anti-pinata, full of good Belgian chocolate.
Good idea, gonets. The link is here:
http://www.nytstore.com/New_York_Times_Reprints
You could do something with 33, including serving frosty pony bottles of Rolling Rock, which has 33 as part of its slogan, possibly a reference to the 21st Amendment.
Consult Wikipedia to learn what happened and who was born and died on a specific date. You could turn that into a quiz with questions for all generations. Here's the one for this Saturday, for example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_20
You could create a playlist of top songs for the week of her birthday through the years.
Good idea, gonets. The link is here:
http://www.nytstore.com/New_York_Times_Reprints
You could do something with 33, including serving frosty pony bottles of Rolling Rock, which has 33 as part of its slogan, possibly a reference to the 21st Amendment.
Consult Wikipedia to learn what happened and who was born and died on a specific date. You could turn that into a quiz with questions for all generations. Here's the one for this Saturday, for example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_20
You could create a playlist of top songs for the week of her birthday through the years.
Jul 17, 2013 at 6:30pm Edited
There are all kinds of "80." I think that Joy & SIL would know if she's too old & broken to swing at it.
Love the lottery tix & penny candies.
You didn't say where the party is, but another quickie is to get a bag of oranges, throw them in bowls & stick sprigs of flowers, pixi stix, etc. in them to add to the decorations. If you have things like vintage or unusual table clothes, put those on all the tables (side, etc.) not just the dining tables.
Love the lottery tix & penny candies.
You didn't say where the party is, but another quickie is to get a bag of oranges, throw them in bowls & stick sprigs of flowers, pixi stix, etc. in them to add to the decorations. If you have things like vintage or unusual table clothes, put those on all the tables (side, etc.) not just the dining tables.
I got nuthin.' But if you think mom would be up for a piniata, get her a piniata. Does mom like candy? Fill it with her favorites. Otherwise, if she doesn't like candy, I'm sure she'd be happy to let the grandkids have it. And doesn't everyone love ballons?
What are the centerpieces? Where is the party? How much time do you have to decorate?
What are the centerpieces? Where is the party? How much time do you have to decorate?
Have you considered tacking a life-size picture of her (select you favorite, stage of life doesn't matter) and have all the guests sign it with well wishes on her birthday? Instead of doing a prepared photo album, ask guests to bring their favorite photos of Mom [or just of themselves]. Insert photos in album and have each guest add a memory of their time together. If you have digital material going back far enough (or time to convert hard copy photos) consider doing a "this is your life presentation" that can be projected on a blank wall (or sheet if wall is not available).
) 
Party is at a home. And its only family. mom can wack the sh!t out of the pinata and would enjoy it candy, not so much. A good bottle of scotch on the other hand...hard to put thatin the pinata. Lottery tix are good. trivia quiz good balloons are good. Photos not so much. She had a very hard life and really dont want to remind her too much of that part. Yellow is her fav. Have yellow flowers in centerpieces.
Mom would go for a younger stripper!
Thank for the ideas keep em coming.
Mom would go for a younger stripper!
Thank for the ideas keep em coming.
Along with centerpieces on the table(s), have each grandkid/kid write a favorite memory of grandma and put it in a little frame? She can keep them as lovely reminders of how much she's cherished?
joy said:
Party is at a home. And its only family. mom can wack the sh!t out of the pinata and would enjoy it candy, not so much. A good bottle of scotch on the other hand...hard to put thatin the pinata.
Airplane bottles of Johnnie Walker Black are always a hit.
I saw a great idea on Pinterest. use photos of your Mom throughout her life to create a big 8 0 on the wall. I believe each was mounted on black paper. It looked really cool.
phyllis said:
Do you Pinterest? I'm sure there are a zillion ideas on there.
This
also, fresh flowers, balloons, take a ride to Party City on rt. 22 and I guarantee you will come back with ideas and product. Also a FABULOUS cake will be good.
Back in the day, money trees were often the best solution to what do I give a senior citizen who has everything m- but money. It's the kind of thing easy to make up from some branches in the back yard sunk into some wet sand or plaster in flower pot. The bills can be tucked or pinned to the branches by arriving family members or before the guest of honor arrives,
No mess, no broken lamps or dentures - and no shopping for something "unique" to wind up in a closet or returned with embarrassment later.
Even if the honoree doesn't have serious money issues, this can be presented as a buy yourself something you've always wanted tree. Or for manicures or getting rid of the gray!
Dollar bills would make for a very "leafy" tree, but 20 dollar bills would work nicely! ;-)
No mess, no broken lamps or dentures - and no shopping for something "unique" to wind up in a closet or returned with embarrassment later.
Even if the honoree doesn't have serious money issues, this can be presented as a buy yourself something you've always wanted tree. Or for manicures or getting rid of the gray!
Dollar bills would make for a very "leafy" tree, but 20 dollar bills would work nicely! ;-)
My father and his wife have a tree branch with lots of limbs in their home and they've attached photographs of family members. I know you have photos so perhaps using that to make a 'family tree.'
I love the idea of the photographs being the decorations. Definitely flowers and some balloons but why not make lots of copies of her favorite photos and use them as placemats, hang them from a string to make a banner, make centerpiece "trees" with them and so on. Cheap and it will be a beautiful trip down memory lane for her. They don't have to remind her of her "hard life" (I would hope they wouldn't)- you can use current photos of all th epeople she loves, places she's been. At my mom's 60th party, my mom especially loved the ones we found of her father who died when she was 25
I have a small pink t-shirt that I had made for my dog to wear to my Mom's 80th birthday. I think it's a child's size 2, and it's printed on the back. He only wore it for maybe 5 minutes but it made a cute photo op. I would be delighted to pass it along if you could use it.
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Ok we're having a party for her THIS Saturday. Have nice centerpieces - but what else?
Will bring photo albums, but don't want to dwell on her age too much - so the will be of her grandchildren.
My SIL suggested a pinata.
But what do you fill a pinata with for an 80 year old?
Mom would be up for this btw.
Any ideas?