HI EVERYONE!! so my parent's 20th anneversary is this augast and i really want to surprise them with their own trip to DL! i need some tips though. the amount of money i estiated that i'll need is about $2000 and i need some tips on how to get it. i'm getting our friends and family involved bu i think i'm going to need more help then that. if anyone has some ideas i'd be really appreciative! thanks!!:D

Could you maybe have a "fundraiser" dinner or bbq that you invited friends of the family to do donate at their convenience? In other words, no minimum donation required, but a wishing well of sorts to help out? A dinner of things like baked ziti and salad with a dessert would be minimal cost to you, perhaps have a cash bar that all of the money made beyond the cost of alcohol went into the "pot" towards the anniversary celebration? If the invitations were sent in a way that seemed not soliticiting, but moreso a get together to celebrate and find ways to celebrate good friends and family, and most of all, your parents, then I can't see people being offended (but then again, some might).

I would keep your parents out of the loop on this celebration/dinner, and ask that the people invited did too (and make that clear on the invitation). That way everyone can feel like they contributed when your parents are presented with the big gift of the trip before they go.

We did a garage sale and got friends and family to donate items they wanted to get rid of on the caveat that whatever did not sell would be given to charity. We advertised with free flyers and craigslist, and indicated the reason for the sale.

We had a pretty good turnout and earned a couple hundred for my mom's 60th birthday trip.

For my parent's 25th, I threw a surprise party for them. With the invitations, I sent out a card stating that they were registered at such and such a travel agency for a trip to Victoria, BC. Then instead of gifts, people donated towards the trip. Maybe something along those lines?.....

Call me a killjoy - or practical - but here's my 2 cents plus some change:

If it's their 20th anniversary, I'm going to jump to the conclusion that you're less than 20-years-old. I wouldn't make it a surprise. I'd ask them first. Frankly, I love my kids to pieces, but I wouldn't want a $2000 trip from them for a 20th anniversary. If my kids want to do something to help me celebrate an anniversary more like my 50th, when they could maybe afford to do more for me? Maybe. MAYBE.

I don't know your situation and it's not my business, but that's what I would do. Something like this came up earlier in the Lounge where a member wanted to have a no-host dinner party for her mother's birthday and some people in the same age-range as your parents commented about not wanting their friends to be asked to contribute to a party fund. I would be very uncomfortable with the idea of my kids asking our friends and family to chip in for a $2000 trip.

The thought is very sweet - but I can just think of a long long long list of reasons that I think you should really talk to your parents and NOT make it a surprise. (I've already deleted some of that list because it would just make this post entirely too long.)

Adrienne