Mom's 70th Birthday Party


Although my mom's 70th birthday was in May, we decided to celebrate it in July when we could all be together.  My sister-in-law, Janet, and I put together a party that was simple, personal and fun.  We created a theme around a favorite old photo and tied in a fun element from the photo - polka dots!

For the less-than-artistic (me), the photo theme proved to be easy and fool-proof.  I like to call the following examples "Photo Copy Crafts."  If you can push a button, you can do this!

Since mom loves flowers and has created a beautiful cutting garden in her yard, we decided to create personal centerpieces from her garden and make her the star - the most beautiful flower of them all!



To insert pictures of my mom in each of the centerpieces, I found stem wire at a local craft store.  I held one end with a pair of pliers and then wrapped the wire around the pliers three or four times.



The end result was something that resembled modern art paper clips, but they worked perfectly to hold the pictures in place.



Below are some of our arrangements, one with my cute nephew Elias peaking over the top!



The "Photo Copy Crafts" continued with banners from the same photo, strung together with pink, polka-dotted ribbon.



Chef Tim Pearson prepared a delicious dinner for an appreciative crowd.
The menu included gourmet burgers with all the fixings, marinated chicken breasts, a delicious spinach salad, fruit kabobs and a successful rendering of mom's favorite potato salad.  The best part?  He even does dishes!!!!




My co-conspirator (and sister-in-law) Janet with my brother Mark.



Delicious cream cheese-filled chocolate cupcakes are topped with yet more photos of the Birthday Girl!


A FEW MORE LITTLE EXTRAS:
  • Polka Dotted Napkins
  • A matted 5x7 picture which all the guest signed
  • More displayed 5x7 pictures from various years of her life (I used existing frames by temporarily displacing the grandkids!)
In lieu of gifts, we asked each guest to read out loud a card or personal tribute.  We collected them at the end and displayed them in a keepsake birthday scrapbook!


Finally, a party wouldn't be complete without a take home favor.  Since my mom has a sense of humor, I knew she and her guests would appreciate this "Marital Bliss" Chocolate Bar.  See who gets the big half?


The chocolate bars were placed in a crisp, cellophane bag and tied with a polka-dotted ribbon, a birthday greeting, and, of course, another themed photo!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!









Comments

rebecca @ beurrista said…
What a lovely party you and Janet threw. I love everything you did- and find your photo holder particularly ingenious.

Tell your mom hello and happy birthday for me, please!
July 19, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Janet said…
I must have had spinach salad in my teeth for that photo! ;-)
July 20, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Janet said…
I should also add, it was my pleasure to help with the party!
July 21, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Kgaetjens said…
Wallet size or 4X6? It looks like wallet size in the floral centerpieces. 4X6's for the banner strung together?
April 18, 2019 at 10:30 AM
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