My Mother-n-Laws 75th Birthday. Have you ever been to a 75th birthday party?

@writersedge (22563)
United States
February 1, 2009 10:24am CST
My Mother-n-Law has no teeth and doesn't like to go much of anywhere any more. So we're trying to figure out some neat things for her birthday. 3/4 of a century is something to celebrate. How would you celebrate 75 years of life? Your own or someone else's.
3 people like this
6 responses
• Canada
1 Feb 09
Oh, I'd have a surprise party in a rented hall and invite all of her friends and family and all who know her and have cake and finger sandwiches and other finger foods...Chips and dip etc. It's definitely worth celebrating and mustn't be missed! ~Heavens~
3 people like this
• Canada
2 Feb 09
That's really sad Writer! I do hope that you find something you can do that will be special and that she will enjoy! ~Heavens~
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
I can guarantee you, she would not like that. The food, yes, but going somewhere for very long, we tried and even going out for a small meal, she wants to go home before the meal is even served. Plus the weather this time of year. I planned a wedding and half the people were afraid to show up.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Yes, it is sad. But not completely. The food ideas of yours are very good. But you can see why this is going to be a challenge. Thanks and take care.
@ElicBxn (63640)
• United States
1 Feb 09
we had a big party for our mom at 80 I think we rather don't expect her to make it to 90
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Glad you had a big party, bet she was, too. Thanks and take care.
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@ElicBxn (63640)
• United States
2 Feb 09
she was unpleasent the entire time mom was her roommmate and only got worse the last couple of years I never spoke to any one who kew her before, so I don't know what she was like before the dementia
@ElicBxn (63640)
• United States
3 Feb 09
I'm expecting to stroke out at some early date
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
2 Feb 09
My step-mother (whom I love with all my heart) just had her 92nd birthday last August, so her children, myself & her grandchildren...all got together, and we rented a cabin on a beautiful lake, close to where she lives! She loved it...The cabin had few amenities...an even an outhouse....she was so thrilled, as it conjured up so many memories of her past! My son drove to the nearest town, and picked up Chinese Food (which she loves..and also has NO bottom teeth) and a frozen birthday cake from M&M Meats! There was NO huge expense, a lot of laughter, and a lot of memories! Cheers!
1 person likes this
• Canada
5 Feb 09
Thanks, my friend for the nice compliment! But as you know, I live on an Island in the middle of nowhere....and it's always a challenge to get foods home, in the condition they were meant to be...HOT or COLD....so my cooler is the stand-by for everything! Sometimes from shopping to Ferry ride home...to actually putting the food where it is supposed to be, can be up to three hours! I truly find insolation with newspapers helps a lot.....also a "moon Blanket"...they are very inexpensive..and help in either situations! I am still trying to track down the lovely e-mail I had of pics of Butchart Gardens for you to see...I am trying to remember whom I sent them to...and hopefull they haven't deleted them! Cheers, my friend!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
I don't think she'd like the outhouse, it's been sub-zero to plus 20 degrees here and some days there is a wind chill factor plus about a foot of snow. You have a very hardy Step MOther. My Mother-n-Law is addicted to the TV, so just getting her away from that would be a challenge. I don't know if she likes Chinese Food, that would be interesting. I love your ideas for a cake. Guess we need to ask her if she likes Chinese Food, she doesn't drive, and I don't know if they deliver, so she may not have the opportunity without us. So that may be a very good idea. Thanks and take care.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Feb 09
I keep forgetting about coolers for hot food. We live 25 miles away from ice cream, so that gets ice and a cooler in summer, actually we did live 25 miles away from it, but now a store opened up 8 miles away, but still on a really, really hot day, need a cooler. Thanks for all your ideas, what would I do without you?
1 person likes this
• China
2 Feb 09
Dear writersedge, I have ever been to my grandma's 80th birthady ,at that time my grandma was already Paralyzed and she couldn't move ,I vaguely remember on that day there are so many people went to see my grandma and prepared such a big birthday cake for her as well as lots of birthday presents ;-)since I am her beloved granddaughter she gave me so many delicious which are all from the guests .
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
It's sad that she was paralyzed, but it sounds like you have many happy memories of her, She sounds like she was very nice. Thanks and take care.
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• United States
4 Feb 09
A card party is always nice for people that don't get out much. But if she has a church, I would suggest you get in touch with someone at her or your church to see about having some kind of celebration in your fellowship hall where you can invite just about everyone she's ever known. Just having a cake would be special. I have an elderly friend that is a severe diabetic that can't have cake, so her neice made her a birthday cake out of cheese and decorated it with different cheeses as well as jerky and vegetables. It was actually pretty neat and became the main course for the birthday celebration.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Feb 09
A card party is interesting. I wonder if she would like that. No, she doesn't belong to any church, taht would be cool if she did. Love the idea of that kind of cake, my kid brother is a diabetic. Wish you had over 500 next to your name and could add a picture of the cake here. Would love to see it. Thanks and take care.
• United States
1 Feb 09
If you are up to it, I say plan that party but plan the buffet around her situation, go all out and prepare her favorite foods, just make them soft enough for her to eat, find the easiest that she will enjoy, soups, jello, apple sauce. YOu can still set up a buffet for the other guests, just make sure she feels the joy and let her know that you planned it all with her in mind. What does she enjoy doing? playing bingo? knitting? playing cards, ask her and plan the theme specifically to her liking, this way it is sure to be a pleasure for her and the peace of mind to you that she is pleased. If she likes playing cards, set up a table for her and whomever likes the same, set up gaming stations for other age groups as well, who doesn't like a good board game? LOL Remember to take plenty of pictures, they will be your treasure in the future. Does she like certain music? certains eras? It is sooooooo much fun to find a theme and go all out. Make her the center of attention, the special girl that whole day, you can do this all in the comfort of your own home, in the backyard, the garage. If you take the time to listen to her and just be creative, it should be a blast, the mere fact that you want to do SOMETHING for her says alot about you! HAVE FUN!!
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
I think the buffet and the theme are great ideas. But she doesn't like to go very far, we live 2 hours away, so to bring her two hours, have a party, bring her back two hours, won't happen. Backyard? It's been sub-zero to plus 20 degrees here and we have a foot of snow. We don't own a garage and both homes are small. So the food, buffet and themes are good, but it will be a small party, at her home. Wish we could do all that you're saying, sounds like fun. Hope someone does that for my 75th, but I doubt it.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
2 Feb 09
Very true. We defintiely need to bring a camera. My husband doesn't have very many pictures of her, so this would be very important to have some on this day. Thank you very much for all your ideas and enthusiam. We do need to communicate more with her as we plan. Thanks and take care.
• United States
2 Feb 09
Well that is still a good idea at her home, this way the benefit is double, she will be happy to be home and you will be happy not to have taken her out anywhere. You can still make it memorable, small yet cozy. DOn't fret! feel good that you are willing to go that far out for your mother in law. Or ask her plain out, do you want to celebrate or would you prefer to keep it nice and simple at home. Communication is key and to save you time, trouble and worry. Try and stay positive darlin, that is half the battle. Good luck and God Bless, I am here if you want to talk or just let your feeling and thoughts out, try hard to be positive, I'm rooting for you.
2 people like this