DD, they got a choice of one soup, of course if they wanted another they could. The glass holds over 5 oz, so that is a good size. They knew what was coming next too!. Betty, I used those as bread plates. But I have used them for cole slaw or fruit salad..They were my mom's although I don't remember her ever using them, LOL...She had a lot of stuff, and after dad died when she was 49, she didn't entertain that much anymore. So I am enjoying using many of her things. As for the soup, I don't use recipes, but it is very easy. Roast the squash, scoop it out, saute some minced onions in a pot, add the squash, some chicken broth, the pears and simmer. Puree with a blender stick. Add half and half and heat through. It is hard to mess it up! Serve with creme fraiche and grate some nutmeg on the top..

Just a follow up on the "no gifts please" issue, because it is something we all always agonize over, isn't it? It went as we predicted. Our very closest friends got me birthday gifts (in groups of 2 or 3). These are the people with whom we are so close that we give each other gifts for big occasions, party or no party, so we ignore "no gifts, please" if there is a party, because just as we aren't giving a gift because of the invitation, we aren't refraining from giving one because of the invitation, either. Our very, VERY closest friends also got us anniversary gifts (one from a group of three couples, one from one couple) -- same circumstance. Most people either brought a bottle of wine, amaretto, or champagne, a small birthday and/or anniversary gift (about like you would give for a hostess gifts -- candy, a funny little purse mirror, etc.), or nothing. Several (whether or not they could attend the party) made contributions to various charities. Another factor that may have made a difference was the gift my husband gave me -- the best ever. It is an album of stories and memories he asked people to send. Not only do I love it more than anything else he could have thought of, I like the idea that that would help people feel like their contribution to the album WAS a gift -- and they are right! Anyway, the bottom line is that I think that whether or not you put "no gifts, please" on an invitation doesn't make much difference; those who would anyway will anyway, and others might bring something small, but about the size they would probably bring as a hostess gift anyway. The real function is for the hosts to avoid feeling embarrassment about giving themselves a party for a gift-y occasion. So I guess in the future I will stick to no reference at all to gifts, EXCEPT where we are both hosts and also the guests of honor. I still feel, also, that people LIKE giving gifts to their friends. And I'll close with a funny story to that effect from this birthday: one day, about 11:30 am, a couple of weeks before the party, I called my friend G, on her cell phone, to see if she wanted to go to lunch. No answer, so I called A. No answer, so I called N. No answer - !!! "Why don't my friends take my calls," I thought, feeling very unpopular. So I called C, and she and I went to lunch. The next day, G called me, laughing. She said, "Sorry I didn't get back to you until today. I bet you wanted to go to lunch. I was out with A and N, shopping for your birthday present!" They had figured it out and wanted to share the laugh with me. (Good thing I had tried all three of them, eh?) They had fun shopping together, and I love the gift (it's a glass necklace) because it makes me think of them having a good time because of me.

usually most graduation parties are like a open house, where people come and go (or like us have double parties to attend)...i'd use some throw-away sterno heaters, and an iced tray and have everything ready, including the usual cake. use dental floss to cut it without "messing" the design too much... i'm so hungry right now i'd love to have your anniversary brunch! add a tray of mini-muffins, or small bagels and whipped cream cheese. that should help anyone with a egg intolerance...it might be easier to serve mini juices (costco or sams) keep them on ice in a tub...

By the way, I love your nickname! I think we have already suggested the way to do this in a "nontacky" way. You are not in it for the gifts, so make sure it doesn't come across that way simply by not mentioning your anniversary on the invitations. Although I mentioned that people may have bought you gifts last year, in a way the details you shared about the wedding almost make it seem MORE important that you not seem like you are fishing for gifts; you don't want them to think that the small wedding seemed romantic to you at the time, but now you are regretting not getting more gifts. I also think a year later is too late to call it a "reception," and that for sure would sound to me like a late bid for gifts. At the party itself, of course, you can do whatever it is that would make it an anniversary party; show the video (if it's not too long; otherwise, maybe have it running on a loop someplace where people can go and see it if they are interested), have a special cake and live music and perhaps a special dance, give romantic anniversary toasts, wear a corsage or perhaps the dress you wore to the wedding (especially if it wasn't a wedding gown), special decorations, etc. And as the other posters pointed out, YOU TREAT for everything. Your original question was about ideas for a classy and romantic party that won't break the bank. I like swampwitch's idea about desserts. You could have inexpensive champagne and coffee (which keeps down the liquor costs), a sheet cake, perhaps a chocolate fountain or fondue and some sweet trays without spending a fortune. If you want a full meal, brunch is usually cheaper than dinner, and if you did that on Sunday it would be on the anniversary itself. Consider reallocating the budget away from food and drink, too: a single live musician and a few fresh flowers on the tables can make an otherwise inexpensive party seem like a very, very special occasion. How many people are you thinking of having? What is the weather likely to be like where you are?