I don't have any advice T (that comes to mind, anyway) but just wanted to say that you're an angel. :)

How very sweet.

Second thoughts...Do your friends and/or family have any special ornaments that your MIL has given you? Maybe you could each bring one that's sentimental, and share the story.

Do you mean food/drink ideas?

-chili and all the fixings/cornbread
-soup (or several)
-fixings for sandwiches
-salad/veggie tray
-cupcakes/cookies (to buy or bake) Or bring cookies and get kids to decorate them there
-Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut sparkling wine (trust me! its fantastic and about $10 a bottle or so -- we LOVE it!)
-hot cider

Tell everyone to bring old photos and snapshots for everyone to see .....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Any ideas for ANYTHING!

Thank you!

My FIL is going to take her out the day of the party do that my ex SIL can help me clean and set up.

I have extra frozen hamburg to make the Paseo soup that she makes every year. I'm going to 'borrow' her recipe.

Parma - Sometimes I have to show that I'm NOT the black sheep of the family:) My MIL never really gives ornaments but your thought prompted me to think about maybe a 'Sign In/ Sentiment' book for the party? What do you think? Maybe put it beside the basket that holds all of the ornaments each year for each guest to put on the tree. OOOH, OOH, OOOH! What about parcel tags that people could sign instead and hang on the tree as the ornament?! I just saw something similar in Country Living yesterday. The lady 'ages' big tags and writes the name of anyone new welcomed into the family on it and then hangs it on the tree.

Jan - I should probably take that wine for a test drive prior to the party! I like the old photo idea. DH's Aunt (MIL's SIL) has recently been going through old family photos so maybe we could grab some from her, copy them and set them out in frames for my MIL. Heaven knows I have a way too many empty frames lying around!

The old family photos might work for ornaments too -- perhaps if you find very small frames -- and add the photos -- for the tree.

Yes -- A sign-in book would work -- but have you seen those sign-in photo mats-and-frames that many folks use now at weddings or anniversary parties? Might work here too!

Don't forget to take a bunch of photos at the party (designate a Family Photorapher for the event!) Always nice to have later!

P.S. Always a GREAT idea to test drive wines! LOL!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage (who is the designated Black Sheep of our families too ..... LOL!)

You're a sweetie!! Is there any chance she may be be tired of all the work? If so, a nice gift would be a card with names of volunteers who will come over and put all the Xmas decor away. Oh! And if that would be YOU, maybe I could adopt you? :>):>)
p.s. punch looks festive and can be economical.

Maybe you could have someone take her to get her hair done or something so she looks special. I would hate to come home to a surprise party and be in my sweats. Love the photo mat idea for everyone to sign .... you could also have those "ball" type ornaments with a silver & gold paint pen & people could sign those/write messages on them as a keepsake ... tags would work as well. Sounds like a 'can't miss' event -- have a great time!

The fact itself that you are doing it for her will mean a world to her. It means that all those years people have appreciated her efforts and this is what really counts in the end. That she and her efforts have made a difference.

I echo the sentiment to make sure that you capture this time around so that she can treasure, and she will, this party, the rest of her life. :)

I know that she has a dear old friend that is the designated 'picture taker' everytime 'The Gang' as they call themselves, get together. He's an avid photographer. I will have to contact him in advance of getting the invite to him to recruit him.

I'll pick up a photomat next time I'm at Wal-Mart or Michaels.

Jen - what do those balls look like? I'd really be interested in checking them out. I thought that when we deliver the flier/ invitations to people I could drop the tag ornaments or ball ornaments off so people would have time to write something at their convenience.

Never thought about the hair thing. I'll have to see what I can figure out there. Money is tight for everyone but it would be a great way to kill 2 birds w/ one stone and get my ex-SIL out of my hair too.

Any festive punch ideas?

Leahcate - my ex-SIL usually helps de-decorate. You can have her :O)! Oops - that was not nice. Oh - well - I keep trying!

Iam talking the cheap-o "traditional" colored ball ornaments .... I've always gotten small ones & written names on them with paint pens to use as place cards (hang on napkin or glass). They are breakable, so delivering them would be a pain. If you are thinking any lengthy writings, tags would be better.

There are lots of inexpensive appetizer recipes, etc. out there. You can decorate inexpesively with lots of greens & ribbon (check out Sam's or Costco for the big rolls). I hope you all have a fabulous time!! You truly have the Christmas spirit.