Hi All,
So, we are traveling to my in-laws this weekend for a combined b-day party for both my in-laws and my daughter. Both my in-laws are turning 70y/o (and VERY FIT) and my daughter will be 5. FIL's b-day was last week and MIL and daughter's are the 4th &5th of Feb. My BIL who lives 1 state away planned a weekend so we could all get together and have a party (and watch the superbowl!), Ha! He is kinda running the show but I know he wont do the decorations and I am the resident party planner/decorator in the family and have set a precedent (unfortunetly)for throwing somewhat lavish parties for all in years past! We have ALWAYS had a combined family party for MIL and my Daughter, she is the only girl grandbaby and MIL LOVES that her b-day is one day before hers, in the past I have done a teaparty and a 'queen/princess' party. I don't want to go super girlie since we are also celebrating FIL's this time though...I need help!!!
I received a note from my MIL in the mail about how excited she is for the party but that she is not liking the number 70, that it is getting entirely too big for her liking and that she will be focusing on my daughter's 'Big Girl Birthday' since she is turning 5!
My question is do you think that means I should not go all out with the '70' themed decorations? I think hitting 70 and being as fit and healthy as they are is AMAZING and they should celebrate it! My FIL is SO fit and active, he just recently (last 5 years) stopped playing softball and volleyball on leagues, he is in GREAT shape for his age!
I know my MIL and she is not one to speak up but I think by her writing this she is politely asking not to go all out for them and just focus on the kid?
How would you read it? Coming from a VERY polite and non-drama type of person? She is very go-with-the flow...they both are, almost to the point of not being the ones to make a decision about things.----->You should see them try to decide where to eat for dinner! "I don't care where ever you want" back and forth they go!!
Outsiders perspective needed please!
As always any and all thoughts appreciated!
It will only be my family, BIL and his family and my in-laws, we all know their age!
So, if I down play the 70 with no theme and pick gender neutral colors only...I can put 70 candles on each of their cakes though right? I think it's cool to see that many...all that fire! ;)
How bout go with a 1970s theme so you are acknowledging the "70" but without focusing the 70 years?
That or just pick a color(s) and go with that.
Yes, stay away from the "70" themed decorations. Not only are they tacky, but MIL has made it clear she doesn't feel or act her age, so why bring it up at her birthday celebration?
You can celebrate how fit and healthy they are without even focusing on a number at all. And, you can still go "all out" and celebrate their wonderful life without making the focus on turning older.
Think about what they love. And give it to them! What most people want on their birthday is to feel special, spoiled and appreciated. It is the one day a year you can show someone how much they mean to you and all of the attention gets to me on them solely for that purpose. Bring your happy attitude, some yummy food (I am sure you know their favs by now) and some gifts showing how much you appreciate them. You can decorate the house if you'd like, but really, I would focus your attention on other aspects of the party like food, music and atmosphere!
just as a head's up: not a single one of my friends/family enjoyed a #s themed BD party once they turned 30. It's just not cool to be on the receiving end of it. Sorry....it's juvenile to many of us. :)
I turned 50 last year, & my Mom turned 70. Together we decided to take a Road Trip to celebrate our milestones. We took my 16yo son & my 16yo niece....& had a blast! 4000 miles in 9 days! & that's the only #s we celebrated.
I think you've got the picture...your SWH says it nicely. But I'd ditch the candles....you know how much breath/spit it takes to put out that many candles? Yuck. Make it respectful & enjoyable for the older crowd.
It definitely sounds to me like she does NOT want 70 to be the focus of this party, nor does she want any extra attention, regardless of whether her age is mentioned or not. By 70, people really don't care much about their birthdays anymore. She will be so much happier watching your daughter's excitement over her fifth birthday. Let your daughter pick the decorations she wants (whether it's princess, Care Bears, or whatever) and the in-laws won't care a bit.
As for 70 candles on the cake... even that seems like a lot. Once we hit 19, we just split the two digits, so 1+9+one for good luck (so for someone turning 70, there would be a total of 8 candles - 7+0+1 for good luck)
how fun would a retro party be. like what did they do when they were kids. did they have balloons? home made hats. i know my mom and dads style partys were super retro and adorable gender neutral of the 50 60ish era. how fun would a flash back themed party be....and simple! like streamers, plates , cake and icecream.
I'd down play their age anyway. They may not want everyone to know their age.
I'd do the birthday party for the little girl with a lot of attention on her. Then also include the in laws in the other stuff with the cakes.
balloons, crepe paper streamers, chinese paper lanterns, in pastels, or brights, or in a choice of a few colors. elegant paper plates or napkins which read happy birthday, or celebrate (look in the bridal section of the party shop). cake or cupcakes with the same colors incorporated. party hats would be fun too.
You don't have to have a theme as such, just "birthday" as a theme should suffice.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
I love all the Paris themed stuff that's out! I think a Paris theme is great for a young girl, but also can be grown up and elegant.
Usually the guys don't care about themes. They'll probably all be busy watching the Super Bowl anyway!
I bet you can get a super elegant Paris birthday cake and an Eiffel tower candle for Grandma! She gets the big tall candle--and I wouldn't do 70 candles on a cake. Can you say Fire Hazard? Not to mention all that wax on the frosting--yuck!
Good luck, and happy birthday to everyone!
The movie Casablanca came out in 1943 and won the Oscar for Best Picture. It's one of my favorites. It might make for a unique theme for a birthday party.
Or base the party theme on another movie that came out that year or the year the daughter was born.
Definitely ditch to 70s decorations. Just do generic. Have a blast.
I was also thinking a sports theme since it sounds like they are so active. I don't know how much your 5 y/o would like that, but I'm sure she enjoys different sports at least! ;) Is she having another party too, or is this it? I ask b/c if she's getting something else she might be okay with a sports theme if she gets princesses or unicorns or whatever another day. Also, since it's Superbowl weekend, it would be kind of fitting to do something around that. You could maybe make everyone t-shirts and play a family game of touch football in the yard. Everyone on your daughter's team could get a pink shirt and the other team could get black or grey (or tie dyed for a 70s theme). You could even have your daughter put on a half time show of a song and dance or something...I know my 5 y/o would love that idea!
I'm turning 70 in a couple of weeks. I understand your mother's feelings about 70. I'm also fit and active but 70 just feels like the first step into the geriatric scene. LOL I don't care if anyone celebrates my birthday and have felt like this for years. It's not just the turning 70. I prefer not having candles on a cake, tho I humored others and blew them out. With time my family has stopped with the candles.
It sounds like the actual focus is on the Super Bowl. I think I'd use a Super Bowl theme if your mother is also interested in the game. My family doesn't decorate and so I don't have any ideas about how to handle that.
I would focus on the party idea without talking about the age. Celebrate all three people's youth and youthful ways. Yes, to including your daughter's age but not your parents'.
why not J. call and ask her? or ask her husband?
you could also do a sports themed party even though its for yor daughter.
i'm sure theres fun games your daughter would love playing with the guys.
Yeah, I's stay away from the whole 70 theme, and pick a party theme/color that could work for both DD and MIL...FIL also. Maybe go gender neutral.
