Several weeks back my father-in-law asked me about planning a surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law’s upcoming 50th birthday. There aren’t many things I’m certain of in life but I know for sure that when someone asks you to plan a party with THEIR money, then you never, ever say no.
I quickly got my mom on board and we both agreed on a few things, we would have no black, no over the hill, no skeletons and graveyards or whatever else the stores try to label as 50th birthday party approved. No, no, no. Instead here’s how it looked…
The main food table is pictured above and below. Burlap garland hung in the window and pictures were clipped onto twine with clothespins. Yummy Publix cupcakes and cake served as the main focal point of the table. We served barbeque sliders on Hawaiian rolls, cole slaw, potato salad and watermelon. Allen built the wooden boxes using old crates to give them the perfect rustic feel.
The coleslaw, potato salad and watermelon were served in individual cups. It made for a quicker line and looks great on the table.
I printed free cupcake toppers and a pennant banner for the top of the cake from this website.
The drink station in the kitchen, punch was later added to that bowl and the cups featured return address labels for guests to easily write their name onto their cup.
Instead of a traditional guest book or matted picture to sign we went with messages on stones. It worked perfect and some of the messages were so funny!
A few more decorations in the living room. Balloons, a burlap banner and a picture frame Allen built for his mom.
We put fresh flowers throughout the house in mason jars with burlap and raffeta on the outside.
She was so surprised and I was impressed that the boys were able to keep it a secret.
A huge thank-you to my mom and Debbie who stayed up late with me on Friday night to get things finished.
wow! everything looked great! 🙂 I need you to help me craft and make a happy birthday banner! LOL
and I wish we had a publix so I could get a pretty cake/cupcakes like that for my little guy’s bday!
Everything looked amazing! You’re a great daughter-in-law!
Love your blog. Fun party!!!
Wow!! You did a fabulous job! The party looks beautiful!
You did such a wonderful job! All of the details are just perfect! And serving everything in little cups really does make everything so much easier!
WOW! I love it all! What a wonderful job you did! The burlap garland is amazing!!!! I’d hang that up at my house for normal every day decor! Or for a wreath! ADORABLE! Great job!!!!!
And those crates…and frame…way to go Allen!
I love this!! All the little details and the rustic feel. Serving the sides in the plastic cups is a great idea! Maybe you should be a party decorator instead of a teacher, ha! Very cute blog!
Umm holy moly this is amazing! I am so impressed:) love the indiividual serving sizes they look super cute and I would jump at the chance to plan a party for someone with their money haha
What a great party! I love it all! I’ve been reading for awhile, but I’m officially following now and popped over from Jenna’s Journey! 🙂
Found you via Jenna’s Journey—looking forward to reading more! What an awesome party:)
-Julie
http://www.thechirpingmoms.com
What a wonderful birthday party!Love all the decorations and yummy looking food! I have read your blog for a little while now and have always loved it. Will continue to visit! Come see me at Meredith’s Moments if you want to! 🙂
It looks like it was such a beautiful party! I love the stone guestbook idea.
Visiting from Jenna’s Journey! LOVE everything about this party!
Amazing party! I love the signed stones – so muchore fun than a book!
Beautiful party! You are one amazing daughter-in-law and a fabulous hostess 🙂 The burlap details are so cool!
Wow! Amazing job! That is one beautiful and special party! I love the stones for signing and all the decor.
I love this!! I love that you didn’t use black and all the over the hill stuff! Great ideas!! She is lucky to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law!!
Stopping by from the commenting challenge. I absolutely love the burlap banners! Did you make the cake on your own? I have always wondered how people make the frosting so smooth!
Wow, what an awesome set up for your MIL’s party. I am stopping by via Jenna’s site. Please be sure to visit my blog. I am Karen’s Korner on Jenna’s list.
What a great party! Stopping by from the comment challenge!
Beautiful decorations! Great idea w/ the salads in the cups to make it easier for guests. I love that! Thanks for stopping by my blog. This commenting challenge is so fun. I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Stopping by from the comment challenge and I’m so glad I did! I’m in the process of planning my mom’s surprise 60th party (I’m a party planner trapped in a accountant’s body) and I love your ideas!! Super cute party!
Just days before seeing your fb pics..i was brainstorming 50th surprise party ideas for my step mom!
Hi! I’m stopping by as part of the Commenting Challenge. Wow! How amazing is this party! You certainly have a gift for decorating! Such cool ideas! I bet she loved it! 🙂
Oh my goodness. You know how to decorate and serve up a party! I love your decor and the food display looks great. What a wonderful thing that you did for your Mother-in-law.
Wow! Such a fun party and your MIL is one lucky lady. That takes a lot of work and lots of love!
Stopping by from Jenna’s…
brittanyanddenver.blogspot.com
Such an amazing party Jennifer!! As always, you are so creative!! Glad I am finally catching up on your blog because its obvious I have missed some wonderful posts in my absence! xo
Wow! This is awesome! I can’t wait until I put together something that fantastic one day 😀 Visiting from the Commenting Challenge. Feel free to visit some time. I’m following you as of now. You have inspired me 😀
-Jessica of {Sugar in My Grits}
http://mommiesblog2011.blogspot.com/
what a wonderful party!! You did such a great job and I love the details!
What exactly does the chalkboard say that is used for the stones? Love this btw!
It says “Please Sign A Stone (as the title at the top): Instead of a traditional guest book, please sign a stone and leave Cindy with your words of wit, wisdom or well wishes. 🙂
Was your burlap garland made from one piece and then folded back and forth or multiple rectangles just folded in half? I love your ideas. Great job!
Multiple pieces, they don’t even have to be cut perfectly, just cut some strips about the same size and fold back and forth!
I love this adorable party. I especially like the stone memory jar. I live in Louisiana, so we don’t have natural stones like this. Did you buy them or just find them? And did you use regular Sharpies? I’m hoping to do this for my friend’s farewell party. Good memory gift!
I am so thankful that I found this on the ‘web. It has been my inspiration for a most Excellent 50th Birthday party for my darling husband. Thank you SO much. <3
Love your decorations at the Birthday party”! I am in the process of planning my own 50th Birthday Party… My husband has promised me a Blow Out 50th Birthday Party this year with my present being my favorite local rock n roll BAND!!! They are some of our best Friends but they are MY band! I am not a good decorator but I did rent the Cafeteria of the old Mary Holmes College for my party. it’s actually a very cool and nice. You walk through double wood & glass doors into the “banquet” area with the stage all the way to the back doors.This is really the only room we are going to be totally using and we will use the cafeteria to serve the BBQ & Fixings…
That sounds amazing!! How did it go?