| Anniversary parties are a wonderful way to celebrate | | | | ways to use either silver or gold are: |
| two people who have been together for a number | | | | - Use gold or silver pen or ink for place cards, menu, |
| of years. The most common anniversary parties are | | | | and any other written items |
| for 25 years and 50 years. There are many things | | | | - Gold or silver balloons make a beautiful yet |
| you can do to make this day special for not only the | | | | inexpensive decoration |
| couple, but all of their family and friends as well. Many | | | | - Add gold or silver placemats or doilies at each place |
| people have shared in the joys and sorrows of the | | | | setting |
| anniversary couple and they help to make this a | | | | - Gold or silver candles and or candle holders make a |
| special day as well. Planning an anniversary party is a | | | | great centerpiece |
| huge undertaking, sometimes almost as big as a | | | | - Dinnerware and barware should have gold or silver |
| wedding. | | | | accents |
| Silver or Gold? | | | | There are many other ways in which you can |
| An anniversary party theme is fairly simple to | | | | incorporate these colors into the party. Just be sure |
| determine. Unless the couple or their immediate family | | | | not to overdo it since this may actually have a night |
| has requested a particular theme (this is unlikely), you | | | | club-ish tacky sort of look to it. Add plenty of white |
| should plan a fairly traditional party. A 25th wedding | | | | to balance it out. |
| anniversary is traditionally silver, while a 50th | | | | Favors to Remember |
| anniversary is gold. Use this to plan the majority of | | | | Many couples will want to send their guests away |
| your party, everything from invitations to | | | | with a little something to remember the night by and |
| decorations. | | | | as a thank you for attending. One of the best favors |
| Who to Invite | | | | ideas is a small picture frame of the couple. You can |
| An anniversary party can be as big as a wedding. | | | | use pictures from their wedding day or a more |
| While many people opt for a small get together | | | | recent photo. If you can find picture frames that hold |
| consisting of family and close friends only, others look | | | | two photos a nice idea is to add both a picture of |
| forward to a huge celebration with everyone who | | | | their wedding day and a recent one. Friends and |
| has touched their lives in past years. 25th anniversary | | | | family of the couple will love taking this beautiful |
| parties tend to be of the smaller more intimate | | | | keepsake home. |
| variety, whereas 50 years together definitely | | | | Another great idea is a CD of songs form the era |
| deserves more of a to-do. | | | | that the couple met and was married. This will bring |
| If you're planning a huge bash, it may take quite a bit | | | | back great memories for many of their family and |
| of time to come up with a guest list. If the happy | | | | friends and is probably one of the most useful favor |
| couple knows about the party the easiest thing to | | | | possibilities. Be sure to check with local copyright laws |
| do is ask them who should be invited. Family | | | | to determine what type of fees apply to creating |
| members and close friends are fairly obvious, but in | | | | and giving away a music compilation. Make sure that |
| addition you may want to invite old coworkers, | | | | all the music on the CD gets played throughout the |
| church members, old neighbors, and the list can go | | | | night to really give guests something to remember. |
| on. If you are planning a surprise party for the | | | | A Night of Nostalgia |
| couple, this can be a little tricky. Rather than getting | | | | A great idea for any anniversary party, big or small, is |
| the input of just one family member, send a | | | | a slide show. Start the show of with pictures of the |
| tentative guest list to several family members and | | | | couple when they first met and progress through the |
| ask each for additions and deletions. This will help | | | | years of children and grandchildren. Don't be surprised |
| make sure no one gets missed. | | | | to see a few eyes get misty during the show. Add |
| The Invitations | | | | some memorable quotes throughout the show, and |
| If you're throwing a huge anniversary party, sending | | | | play some touching music that reminds them of |
| out invitations can be quite the task. If the party | | | | certain times in their lives. |
| budget allows for it, get them custom made. You can | | | | If you want the slide show to be a surprise, you can |
| order the invitations online and get everything | | | | ask family and friends for their favorite pictures to |
| shipped to you and ready to go. This will save an | | | | add to the show. You'll probably end up with more |
| enormous amount of time. If the party budget is | | | | pictures than you'll know what to do with so don't |
| tight and that money would better go to use | | | | worry if you can't get any of the couple's picture |
| elsewhere, making your own invitations can actually | | | | albums. |
| be quite simple. All you need is a computer and a | | | | As you can see, planning an anniversary party can |
| printer. You can download some great invitations | | | | take a lot of time, so start planning as soon as |
| templates that are simple enough to put together. All | | | | possible. Since you could be inviting well over 100 |
| you need to do is add all the party information and | | | | people, starting a year in advance isn't too soon. |
| perhaps a beautiful quote on the front and voila your | | | | Don't try and take this task on by yourself, you'll |
| invitations are ready to go. | | | | probably have plenty of offers from friends and |
| Setting the Scene | | | | family to give you a hand; definitely take them up on |
| Decorations for the party don't have to be hugely | | | | their offer. This will be a night for everyone to |
| extravagant, but by adding some special touches you | | | | cherish and remember, and the happy anniversary |
| will help make the night even more special for the | | | | couple will be on cloud nine after seeing how much |
| happy couple. Use the anniversary color almost | | | | they mean to everyone in their lives. |
| exclusively; this will help make a great effect. Some | | | | |