| 've got the idea, but I hope you're the creative type! | | | | have them do a short essay they can each read to |
| What a fun idea! I am guessing that your Grandma | | | | roast your grandmother. Probably 3 to 5 "roasters" |
| enjoys Elvis...I hope so, anyhow! OK, for an invitation, I'd | | | | would be enough. Toast by generations... Have 3 or |
| make a simple round shape out of black construction | | | | four generations of people give a toast to your |
| paper. (And then fashion it to look like a record album). | | | | grandmother 's birthday and what it has meant to |
| I'd glue that onto either a plain invitation or make your | | | | them to have her in there life. Create a memory book |
| own invitations & glue the "record" onto the front. | | | | (scrap book) that can be given to your grandmother |
| Inside, I'd make a "story" type of invitation using Elvis | | | | during dinner. Contact your family members and have |
| song names. I will list many for you to consider/try | | | | them submit pictures and short stories of their most |
| working into the invite. Your RSVP line could be: "Make | | | | memorable times with your grandmother. The same |
| Me Know It"(and then have R.S.V.P. in parenthesis). | | | | can be done with everyone writing a thank you note |
| Here goes my best, quick & lame attempt to show | | | | for the things she has done or ways she has |
| you what the heck I'm talking about. I'd either underline | | | | influenced them in their lives. Combine all the notes in |
| or put in quotes the song titles. The most fun part | | | | one keep sake book for your grandmother to take |
| about this is to NOT tell anyone other than the | | | | home from the dinner. Ask the restaurant if they have |
| essential party planners that there will be an Elvis | | | | an easel you can barrow for the evening. Get a |
| impersonator at the party...Keep them guessing! Since | | | | poster size piece of particle board and cover with |
| (grandma's name) is "Always on My Mind", and "I | | | | black felt or flannel. Take a picture of your |
| Believe" she loves the "Night Life", you are invited to | | | | grandmother and have it blown up 8X10 or 11X14. Glue |
| join our surprise celebration of her 80th Birthday. "Are | | | | the picture to poster board. Cut the picture in to puzzle |
| You Lonesome Tonight"...If so, come and catch the | | | | pieces (like 5 or 6 pieces). Put some Velcro on the |
| "Fever", and get "All Shook Up". Share in making new | | | | back of each puzzle piece. Again, ask 5 or 6 people to |
| "Memories"! "C'mon everybody", "Don't Be Cruel", "Help | | | | make a toast or say something nice about your |
| Me" throw a "Fairytale" of a party for(Grandma's | | | | grandmother and what she has meant to them. After |
| name)! "I'm Counting on you" ("Do you know who I | | | | they are through, have them put the puzzle piece on |
| am") to bring my party planning to a "Happy Ending". "A | | | | the easel. When the last person makes their toast and |
| Little Less Conversation" & a little more R.S.V.P.-ing | | | | puts their puzzle piece on the easel, there is a |
| "Make Me Know It"... And then follow with party info, | | | | complete picture of your grandmother on the board. |
| date, time & place! If you are in a private or secluded | | | | Another idea might be to do the same, but a picture of |
| area of the restaurant, you could do a slide show to | | | | all the grandchildren. Finally, you could by a scrap book |
| some music. Photos are really easy to scan these | | | | and a Polaroid camera. Also purchase the little stickers |
| days and burn to a disc. Use someones' laptop and | | | | that hold the corners of the photo on to the pages of |
| rent a screen and Proximal projector (AV equipment | | | | the scrap book. Assign one of your high school age |
| rentals are very reasonable for one night. Maybe, $75 | | | | attendees to take a Polaroid picture of everyone that |
| for both). Bring a CD player and download a few | | | | is attending the dinner. Have the guest put their picture |
| songs (and burn to a CD)that would match your | | | | in the scrap book and write a note to your |
| grandmother's personality. Most slide shows should not | | | | grandmother next to their photo. Be sure to buy a |
| be longer than 6 mintues length. Ask you relatives to | | | | scrap book large enough to hold all of the guests. |
| volunteer a few photos so several different decades | | | | Same goes for film and photo corner stickers. Also, |
| of her life and extended family is covered. If the slide | | | | black scrapbooks with silver or gold pens for writing |
| show is not your cup of tea, you could do a "roast" of | | | | look very nice when complete. |
| your grandmother. Pick your funniest relatives and | | | | |