What is normally done for a 40th anniversary?

[Faline]

My parents are coming up on their 40th this summer, and while I would like to do *something*...I'm not exactly sure what to do!

To complicate matters further, neither I nor any of my siblings live in their community. Two of us live only a few hours away but the other one is faaarr (12 hrs:D) away. The only possibility for us *all* to be together would be a few months after the anniversary. I would be ok with doing something then, but...WHAT?!?

What are some things that you all have done or have seen done for your parents/family/friends? How big a party do is normally done for the 40th?

I am open to ideas other than parties, too...

Thanks,
Faline

[Gwen in TX]

Normally, the biggie is the 50th, but I love the idea of celebrating the 40th too.

Are they part of a church body? You could ask the church to celebrate with them by bringing cake and punch for an open house (at the church) after or evening service.

You could just get together the family who can come at the time of the anniversary and go out to a big family dinner at their favorite restaurant.

You could do a family photo scrapbook. That way the child who lives farther away could still participate. They can fix scrapbook pages of their own family, send them to someone closer who would put them all in one book.

When you can get everyone together, take a big family group photo (and individual photos too - the grandparents with all the grandchildren, all the grandchildren together, each family, the grandparents with just their children, etc.)

We wanted to plan a large party for my in-laws for their 50th. They thought that would be fun, but they wanted to pay (2 of the children had had major health issues and were budget constrained). Then when we began looking around at prices, etc., they decided they would rather go on a cruise! I thought, Okay, a cruise for the whole family. I would love to go on a cruise. They meant just themselves!!

[Faline]

I would rather go on a cruise too:D

Thanks for all the ideas...it gives me a place to start. I don't want to do a BIG party, but would like to celebrate the occasion somehow. I will probably keep in within the family/extended family. I know my mom would enjoy group photos, etc as she is that way.:D

Thanks!