Anniversary Party...help:)!

12 years ago

Hi Everyone,

Sorry...this is not a decor question (yet:))

I'm scrambling to plan a party for my 'very young at heart' parents 50th Anniversary. (and work is sooo hectic lately so a little stressed)

Planning on hosting party at cottage on the beach...

For cockatails and a casual dinner...what time in the evening is best? We were initially doing cocktails only at 5pm, but am now thinking 6pm.Just given age group (as my DH says), is this too late...knowing dinner would be @ 7:30?

Or split the difference and go 5:30?

Should anyone have any suggestions for celebrating a 50th, please share:). I've done the music playlist with a collection from Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong etc.

Any suggestions appreciated!!

Thanks,

Lisa

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Comments (8)

bumble_doodle
12 years ago
Given the age group, I would plan something even earlier. A lot of people don't like to drive in the dark, especially if they are not local and are unfamiliar with the area.

Have you considered a luncheon? We hosted one for my parent's 40th and it worked out well (we had a lot of people traveling from out of state).

If you must have a dinner I would start cocktails at 4 and have dinner at 6-6:30. Just my 2 c's....

Good luck with your party!
abundantblessings
12 years ago
Congrats to your parents! and kudos for wanting to make their anniversary celebration special.

You may want to check over in the cooking forum as that group really has great menu and theme suggestions. Also, entertaining sometimes comes up on the conversation side here.

It really depends on the group, but I think 2 1/2 hours for cocktails before dinner is probably too long, with 1 to 1 1/2 hours probably the max. Maybe move the dinner to a bit earlier or invite the guests to come at 6:30 to mingle and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before the main meal at 7:30. I'd consider traffic and logistics when coming up with the start (and ending) time as well as your parents and their friends typical routines. Enjoy!
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lisa_mocha
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the feedback!

My message above was a little confusing...would either be cocktails at 5pm and dinner at 6-6:30 (my parents normally eat @ 7pm) or cocktails at 6pm and dinner for 7ish. Or...call it in the middle at 5:30 start.

My parents are fortunate enough to have a cottage close to their home as do the others. Everyone invited lives within a 20-25 min. drive max to the cottage and all have been there so are very familiar with location. Several of the couples have cottages within a 3minute stroll down the beach.(It's a wonderful little cottage community...wish I were closer and not a 2hr flight away!!) So overall, travel logistics is not an issue.

I'll check the cooking forum too, thanks:)
lowspark
12 years ago
Why not ask your parents what works best for them? What's the norm in their group of friends when getting together for dinner? Are they all early eaters or do they normally eat around 7 -- when going out with friends, I mean.

I like the 5:30 start time. People will arrive between 5:30 & 6, and you can serve dinner at 7. Will it be a seated dinner or buffet? If seated, then I'd specify on the invitation, Cocktails at 5:30, dinner at 7. If buffet, then you could actually start later, 6 or 6:30, and go ahead and put the food out shortly after the party starts. Then people can help themselves whenever they are hungry.
lindac
12 years ago
Refugee from the cooking forum here....and one "of that age group" who really resents implications that we are not able to stay out and need to eat an "early supper". While I don't do 2:00AM by choice any more...the people I hang with rarely eat before 7...more often 8, staying out until midnight and are perfectly capable of driving after dark....we eat pizza, tacos, and all manner of garlic laden and spicy stuff...
Ok...got that out of the way! LOL!

I think a 5:30 start time is too early...Ideally I would like 6:30 for a party to begin, but perhaps a compromise at 6:00 would be best, with dinner scheduled to appear at 7:00 to 7;30.
People of that age group remember fondly standing around drinking cocktails and eating h'ors douvres as a way to interact with friends.
I would do an open bar and have the makings for martinis(traditional kind with Noiley Pratt or Martini&Rossi dry vermouth) and Manhattans as well as bourbon, Scotch and Rum with traditional mixers....but most will likely drink gin or vodka and tonic.
Will you cook the dinner or have it catered?....and how many people?
I'd be thinking simple and stand around food, unless your cottages are bigger than most...I'd think things like oven roasted chicken pieces with a huge bowl of lightly oil and vinegar dressed greens, baskets of French or Italian bread and a casserole of perhaps a cheesy pasta or a pesto pasta....or something fairly light and simple....
Have a small wedding cake made for dessert, coffee and you are done....unless people want to stay around for after dinner drinks.
Linda C
lisa_mocha
Original Author
12 years ago
Linda-I'm laughing reading your message...I think you should come to the party:)
That's what I meant by young at heart parents. Although they are in their late 70's, they can certainly out-last many in my group. Not your early-bird diners by any means and still love an evening out of partying. I can only wish & hope to have their zest for life as I reach that stage:)

Love a martini bar idea and will be well stocked with wine, scotch/vodka etc. What will not be used will certainly not go to waste as vacation time for us...yay!

I'm thinking 'appies' of scallops and shrimp, various dips/cheese/crackers and chicken&mango skewers.We're going to have a tenderloin prepared for us...I guess as sides, salads& rolls might be best.I like suggestion of chicken for those that may not do beef.
As much as I wanted a 'formal' sit down dinner, I think we're going to do buffet. It is a smallish crowd of about 32 people...but as doing ourselves for most part, still lots to do. (I've never done dinner for more than 8,lol)
(And not a really big cottage...I'm praying for wonderful weather so evening can be outdoors)

Think we'll go for 6pm start for cocktails and small bites then dinner for 7ish.

Thanks everyone!
abundantblessings
12 years ago
Sounds great.

You may need a couple of tenderloins for that group. Tenderloins are quite easy to prepare yourself if you have your butcher remove the silver and trim it nicely. We've had many parties that size or larger and I enjoy cooking but prefer having a bartender & maybe a server so that I can enjoy the party. Since you're serving chicken and mango skewers for appetizers, how about broiled salmon with peach mango salsa on the side as the meat alternative? Easy peasy to prepare at the last minute, simple to serve and eat and quite delicious. Tenderloin, tarragon green beans (again simple to prepare: cook until almost tender in advance, drain but leave uncovered so they stay green, then when ready to serve finish in a bit of butter, salt and add french tarragon) and tomato slices topped with hearts of palm and sprinkled with corn ( again prepared ahead). I'd serve a great focaccia. Yum! Guess it's time to invite some friends soon as you've put me in a party mood.
lisa_mocha
Original Author
12 years ago
Yum is right, thanks abundant for the suggestion of salmon with the peach mango salsa. Sounds wonderful...I'll be looking for a recipe for that one!

I found a recipe last night for a cantaloupe salsa that could be good on salmon (??) or chicken too. (or just as a dip)OK, I just had dinner and am now getting hungry again:)

Thanks!

Anniversary Party...help:)!

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Anniversary Party...help:)!

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