Golden wedding anniversary gift

badger09

Hello

1st time on this part of the forum and looking for advice.

My sister & her husband celebrate their 50th anniversary at the end of the month. They are spending a few days away in Florence (lifelong ambition to visit) and I've just got an invitation to their party a couple of weeks afterwards. It is in a hotel with dinner and accommodation provisionally booked.

They are not poor by any means but not rich enough to pay for a trip to Florence and a party for about 20 people! I'm struggling to think of a gift for them and as she's my only close family (dad, mum & brother all died young) I want it to be special. Rather than waste money on something they don't need or want, I'm thinking of sending £500 (only £10 a year :rotfl:) towards the cost of the party :beer:

I know its a difficult one, as you don't my sister personally but do people generally think this is a good idea? Any other suggestions?

White_Sapphire

Some people would be delighted to receive some financial help towards a party, but others might be slightly offended at the implication that they can't afford it. Why don't you ask your sister whether she wants any contribution or help from you? You baking the cake or doing the invitations might be a more meaningful gift. After all, even if they are not especially wealthy, they may have saved up for the trip and the party for a long time beforehand, if it's something they have been planning for a long time.

LEJC

I think its a very generous gesture for the present...but I do have reservations...you say that the relations are not poor neither rich...but they may be proud...
It could be that they too have saved to make this time in their lives special with the people who mean the most to them sharing their special and very commendable anniversary...and as such may feel that your very kind gesture of a contribution towards the night,nice but un needed...

Personally if I were you I would buy a present rather than give the cash...Im not sure what..perhaps a mantle clock or something that is in keeping with their taste...a nice ornament or something that they can keep...even perhaps a picture of their holiday destination so they can remember the time fondly
Your gesture is extremely kind and thoughtful...but personally I think a gift may be better than money..

Just had another think about it ....and if you feel that there would be no offence taken if you were to give a large sum of money...why not give them the money in euros with the instruction that they are to choose something whilst on holiday to remind them of their trip...italy has sone fantastic glass so perhaps they may want to remember their trip by a nice souvenier...

badger09

White_Sapphire & LEJC

Thanks for your replies.

I know that they haven't been saving - at least for a party, as it has come completely out of the blue. I only spoke to my sister about 10 days ago and she said they wouldn't be bothering with a party as it was too difficult to get all her family (daughter lives locally but has MS and single dad son & 3 children live a good 4 hour drive away). I sort of feel I pushed her into it a bit by saying she should celebrate with her family while she could :eek:

I had thought about Euros, but in terms of treating them to a romantic meal, but a souvenir is a much nicer idea :T. As LEJC says, they have some beautiful glass in Italy and that way it will be their choice rather than mine, so they won't have to dust it off and put it on display when I visit!

Thanks guys