How can I organize a birthday party for a mother who does not like fuss I want to make it special but she doesn't want anyone there who isn't family and hates the idea of a surprise party any ideas?

Answer 1

• Your mother has made it quite plain she is more comfortable around family so if you have time and your mother hasn't seen any sisters, brothers or relatives she may have because they live in another city or country and perhaps you could either phone them or if you have time email them to see if they could make it to your mother's birthday party. Contact all relatives to come to her birthday party and choose either a hall or a reception area in your town if you have 50 or more guests coming or a relative with a very large house. Decorate the area you are having the party in with balloons (her favorite colors) and streamers; if in a reception hall with tables the tablecloths will be provided, but you and siblings or family members can do up some nice centerpieces for each table. A semi flat glass dish with light colored water; some tiny stones or glass stones with a few floating flowers and a candle would be nice and make up a collage (if you have time) of pictures of your mother when she was a baby; growing up with parents; pictures of her own children; husband and friends. You can buy a three-sided Styrofoam board that is large (buy 2 of them if you have lots of pictures) at Michael's Crafts or any stationary store such as Staples or Office Depot. These Styrofoam three-sided boards are often used for business meetings as a presentation. Go through the albums and pick out the pictures you think your mother would enjoy and start scanning and printing the pictures out and pasting them on the three-sided Styrofoam boards and you could add funny little captions under them if you choose. Download music from her teen years to her favorite type of music she enjoys now. Ask relatives to help you with the food to cut-down on expenses and ask any siblings you may have to help you decorate where you are having the party. Order the cake a good week in advance. If you cannot afford to have a bar set up then be sure on the invitations you make it clear everyone brings their own alcohol, but you should buy the mixers and pop can be bought cheaply at Costco. Keep things as simple as possible and have some good taped music on hand. Don't forget the coffee and tea; milk; cream; sugar and if you can afford it provide one bottle of wine per table.