75th birthday party ideas

My mother is turning 75 in mid-June. My father wants a party for her. And once again, despite being the one child out of their four children with by far the least amount of disposable time, I'm getting the message that I am the one expected to take the lead as the main party planner/organizer. (Based on previous experience, my father will pay for whatever I ask him to pay for, but won't lift a finger to do any of the actual work.) So -- anybody got any ideas for a type of event that would be easy to organize without giving the impression that I took the easy way out? Shortcuts for any of the important steps? Suggestions for tasks that could be delegated to others (such as my otherwise under-occupied siblings)? TIA.

Would your siblings be willing to go through family photos and pick out some that are special to each one of them and things they did with your mother over the years? Maybe you could get copies of the pictures and they could write something about what the picture/s show and why that is special for them. This wouldn't be "whole family" pictures, rather pictures of your mother and her interactions with her children individually. If there are grandchildren, and she's been part of their lives (don't know how close you all live to each other), they could do the same. Anyone in the family into scrapbooking or crafty? Maybe that person could coordinate this project.

This won't help with the actual event, I realize, but it might be something nice to give to your mother at whatever you do have for the birthday.

If you are putting together a music playlist, maybe find songs she's liked from various stages of her life? Your mother's older than I, but I can remember music from the early 50s, early rock and roll in the 50s, Beatles, Rolling Stones, all the 60s groups, Doo-Wop, the famous girl groups, into the 70s.......could be a little trip down memory lane for her. Do you know what songs were played at their wedding? What songs she sang to you and your siblings when you were small? Maybe one of the others could get the music set up for you.

I'm sure others will have lots more suggestions for you. Hope you all have a wonderful time!

Can you tell us more about your mother? Health? Mobility? Interests? Preference for indoor/outdoor? Size of group in which she would be most comfortable? Amount of travel that would be required depending on where this party is held? Would she want to have young children included (grandchildren for example)? Food/activity preferences? Places that hold special meaning for her? Answers to these questions could help in finding the best solution to the party problem.

Her health and mobility are good. Probably preference for indoor. Group will probably be on the small side, mainly close relatives -- my folks just don't have a lot of close friends. In June they'll be at their beach house on weekends (Monmouth County) and my father will object strenuously to any party venue that requires more than a half hour of travel from there... Definitely include their granddaughter (my kid, other sibs have none). To be honest, Maplewood is special to her because she grew up there, but again, my father will complain mightily if they have to come all the way up here from the shore... Can anyone think of any place that might have a 1950s theme? That was "her" decade and it might be a fun party theme...

We've done photo/videos set to music for special events - it is time consuming, but well worth the effort and is always appreciated. Where in Monmouth is the house? There are some nice venues down there and you could work in your theme with decorations.

I've never eaten here, but meets your desire for a 50s theme (not sure how far the summer place is from Freehold); if not suitable for your 75th birthday party, it still might be a fun place to visit with your parents:

http://jbsdiner.com/

Too far but might give you ideas:http://www.chatterboxdrivein.com/about-us. You could always do Ellen't Stardust Diner in NYC and listen to wait staff sing! There are a number in Wildwood and Ocean City, which again will be too far.

ebr95 said:

I've never eaten here, but meets your desire for a 50s theme (not sure how far the summer place is from Freehold); if not suitable for your 75th birthday party, it still might be a fun place to visit with your parents:

http://jbsdiner.com/

That looks very interesting! Freehold would probably work pretty well, actually. Wonder if they have a party room... guess I'll try and find out!