Need some great ideas w/ a surprise 40th b day party for my DH....

I have the restaurant, I have the rsvp's (25 adults, 4 kids), it is ALL Family, and a few friends he went to college with... we are having ..., I had to cut my list... I am going to have some balloons on the table ( a few mylar and regular ones) and confetti on the table- what else can I do to make it festive or a nice touch to the room? Things to do that are different- I was going to make menus, and maybe a photo album w/ my DH in it- does anyone else have any ideas? I was also thinking of maybe toasting him- but I am not Rockefellar- should I have a chamgane toast at 4.50 a glass and be done w/ the alcohol or have some carafes of red and white wine on the tables- it is 16.00 a carafe and when the wine is done that is it? How many carafes would you get for 25 adults? It is on a Sunday afternoon w/ unlimited soda and coffee and tea.... Any ideas would be appreciated- I am open to any suggestions on how to make this party have a different touch- He would freak out if I do an over the hill theme... TIA!

Message edited 9/14/2010 2:56:09 PM.

Re: Need some great ideas w/ a surprise 40th b day party for my DH....

For DH's surprise party, I scanned some baby pics to a friend who made buttons and magnets out of them for guests to take.

Re: Need some great ideas w/ a surprise 40th b day party for my DH....

Can you bring your own wine? That would save you a fortune. I would skimp on the decorations and make sure there is wine there - please don't get offended but if I was at a party and "when the wine runs out that's it" i'd be a little taken aback." Sorry, don't get mad at me for saying that, just being honest I'd def skimp on other things to make sure there is plenty of food and soda/beer/wine because those are the things people enjoy most at parties.

Does he have any witty relatives? For my DH's 40th Bday Party, I had his brother, uncle and witty cousin say funny things about him (we roasted him!!) but in a good natured way It was a BLAST!!!!

Also, how about a notebook that you pass around asking everyone to write one memory that they have of him along with one wish for the future? I think that would be great because it would be really personal and sentimental.

Re: Need some great ideas w/ a surprise 40th b day party for my DH....

How about personalized CHocolate bars on each persons place setting? Maybe it can have a pic of him as a baby on it. I know someone who sells them if you are interested.

Regarding the toast or wine on the table i would personally do champagne as opposed to the wine. I guess since i dont really like red or white wine except for sangria and most of our family would prefer either mixed drinks or beer i would rather just spend the 4.50 per person then 16 on a carafe. I have to agree with AnaMaree77 I would be shocked if I was at a party and once the carafe ran out it never got refilled.

Did you ask them how much it would be if you wanted wine beer and soda? Most restaurants i have priced out offer a pretty good price on that as opposed to just a flat fee for carafes.

Hope this helps you

Message edited 9/15/2010 9:30:49 AM.