Taken! Thank you very much!

Ladies, thank you so much for responding and sharing all your great ideas. To update, the party was held on the 20th, and it was a well attended, casual affair. (roughly 65 people, nicely spaced out over 4 hours) I used regular blank invitations, and wrote that my sister and myself were hosting a party for their (70th!) and (75th!) birthdays on such and such date, time and place, as well as letting them know it was "come and go". I gave people my email address and my sister's phone number to contact if they needed specific directions. Then I enclosed a second note that said "We hope to see you there, but if you are unable to attend we know R--- and S--- would enjoy hearing from you with a card or note." (pretty much what Texas Red Head suggested.) Keeping in mind lindac's suggestion that "no gifts" implies you expected one in the first place, I didn't write "no gifts", but that also worked out well, as almost everyone brought a card instead. Actually, the only people who brought gifts were a few of my mother's oldest friends (her traveling buddies) who arrived in a group toward the end of the day. In fact, by the time Mom opened her gifts they were the only other people there besides family, so it worked out fine. I also took to heart what sherrman wrote and made surethey waited to open cards until after we'd cleaned up and were having coffee. Considering they had roughly 60+ cards to open, that was a geat idea. We'd made a video/DVD thing of old family pictures of both of them, and had contacted relatives some time ago looking for pictures. They've been married for the last ten years, and there were pictures of each other that neither had seen, so it was a great surprise. FWIW, we mixed them all up, his and hers, and nothing was in chronological order; we didn't want it to come across as one of those "This was your life" slide shows that are so popular at funerals. The little DVD was about 12 to 15 minutes long on a continuous loop, and yes, people stood around watching, and laughing and saying "I remember that!" it was terrific ice breaker. As guests were leaving, I had them stop briefly out front so T could take a quick picture. Everyone received a print of themselves looking relaxed and happy, and Mom and her husband got pictures of all their guests without annoying anyone during the party by having them stop and pose. It was just a very nice party, and again, I can't thank you all enough for your insight and advice. You're (all) the best. Melody

Kimberly--let me tell you a story. Dd is getting married next April. She and I just met with the planner at her venue along with her future MIL (a wonderful gal, btw). Grooms father is one of 14 kids and grooms mother is one of 8. By the time we invite all of them, their spouses, and their children (grooms first cousins) ..uh boy. We are inviting my brothers and sisters and DHs brothers and sisters. And their kids (daughters first cousins). But this group is tiny compared to the grooms. But, how do you decide???????? We don't want to slight any family. As a matter of fact, I started having palpitations just thinking about the shower. I will draw the line on the guest list for that one. Just look at the invitation...decline it and don't send a gift. I am hoping we get lots of declines ;-)

Hi Tina, The best way I know of would be with the PSP program we use here, otherwise it may be possible using the program Paint, which I am sure you have. Find it in Start, All programs, Accessories. There you can open a picture of your choice and do things to it or just draw something if you are "talented". (smiles)