| If you're planning a 50th wedding anniversary | | | | Did you know you can request greetings from |
| party for your parents or close friends, | | | | the White House for the occasion? For people |
| there are a few things to consider. Since | | | | who are celebrating their 50th wedding |
| gold is the traditional symbol for a 50th | | | | anniversary or their 80th birthday and |
| wedding anniversary, you'll likely want to | | | | beyond, the White House will send a card |
| incorporate gold into the décor. You can | | | | signed by the president for the happy |
| do that inexpensively with gold ribbon, gold | | | | occasion. They ask that you send your request |
| candles, or by adding gold stars to ivory | | | | six weeks before the event and they will send |
| candles. | | | | the greeting out ten days before the event. |
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| Although you won't have any trouble | | | | If you have access to memorabilia, a |
| assembling a guest list just because the | | | | scrapbook detailing their 50 years together |
| couple has had 50 years to accumulate friends | | | | would make a wonderful gift. Old pictures, |
| and associates, this is the perfect kind of | | | | accomplishments, mementoes, highs and even |
| party for a small, intimate gathering. If you | | | | some lows could be chronicled here. A video |
| invite 6 or 8 couples, there will be time to | | | | would also make a great gift as would a video |
| go around the room and listen to each other | | | | of the party. A short skit based on some |
| tell stories about the golden couple. | | | | aspect of the couple's life together could |
| | | | serve as the entertainment. You also want to |
| When you are planning a 50th wedding | | | | leave time for toasts and warn guests ahead |
| anniversary party, you have to choose whether | | | | of time that you'll be calling on them to |
| it will be a surprise to the golden couple or | | | | toast the special couple. |
| if they will be in on the planning. Unless | | | | |
| you are very close to them, it isn't | | | | Presents can be a sticky subject. Some people |
| advisable for this kind of party to be a | | | | choose to ask for donations to a favorite |
| surprise. Women, especially start dreaming | | | | charity in lieu of gifts. Some people still |
| about planning a 50th wedding anniversary | | | | bring a gift. There's no right or wrong |
| party much like they once dreamed of getting | | | | answer on this. As you are planning a 50th |
| married in the first place. She or they might | | | | wedding anniversary party, keep the wishes of |
| have plans of what kind of party they would | | | | the golden couple in mind and try to honor |
| like this to be. | | | | any requests they have made. |
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