Anniversary present for religious parents (Full Version)

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ekserekseez -> Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:03:09 AM)

My parents' 40th wedding anniversary will be here in October, and I thought I'd be a good kid and get them something nice, to make up for the fact that I sometimes give them a lot of grief (not that they don't deserve at least some of it). They are really religious so I thought this would be a good place to ask for help.

What would be a good present for a nice, 60-ish (going on 90-ish), extremely conservative married couple? Cost is not an issue. I think it would be fun to give them something that would be a real kick, but that they'd actually like too. Any and all ideas welcome!



manda59 -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:30:23 AM)

Well, the 40th anniversary is the Ruby Anniversary, if that's any help! If not the gemstones themselves, then maybe you could think of something in the colour.

When you say "religious", what do you mean specifically?



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:37:22 AM)

Thanks for the hint about rubies! Mom and dad were both raised Catholic but joined a church called the "Nazarenes" about 20 years ago. They aren't supposed to like drink and smoke and stuff, although they both still like good wine, and I know that dad has a hidden stash of cigars and single-malt scotch.



MC4JC -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 10:39:08 AM)

A small party with some of their closest friends/relatives? Or a couple of cruise tickets?



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 10:43:33 AM)

The party is a good idea, and I'll probably do that. I like the cruise tickets idea too! Mom and dad love to travel but they hate planning and organizing. Maybe if I planned the whole thing for them they'd go for it. And the party could be sort of a "bon voyage" for them.

Thanks, the more I think about this idea, the more I like it!



Sadey -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 7:27:40 PM)

I would fall over in delight if someone gave me a cruise that was already planned, and paid for on top of that is wonderful. You'll get the son of the year award. All the other moms will be jealous and trust me your mom and dad will brag about their son who gave them a cruise for their anniversary.
Good for you.



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:07:53 PM)

Hi Sadey!

Thanks, you've decided it! I'm emailing my travel agent and having her set up a planned and paid for cruise for mom and dad. We've been getting along okay the past few years, but I have to admit that I gave them plenty of grief in my day, so I owe it to them.

I'll let you know what I plan!



manda59 -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:10:28 PM)

How about a fly cruise around the West Indies?

Edit: hey, there is a ship called the Ruby Princess that sails out of Fort Lauderdale to various islands. Have a look!

Ruby Princess Cruise



ta_mosquito -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:10:39 PM)

Do they have passports? You'll need to double check to make sure whether or not they're required.

(I think a cruise is a great idea!)



ta_mosquito -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:12:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59

How about a fly cruise around the West Indies?


I've never heard of a "fly cruise," but some of the advantages of a boat cruise is that you only have to unpack and pack once, and the travel isn't stressful. Unless they have a problem with ships (seasickness or whatever), I think a boat cruise is a better option.



manda59 -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:14:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
quote:

ORIGINAL: manda59
How about a fly cruise around the West Indies?


I've never heard of a "fly cruise," but some of the advantages of a boat cruise is that you only have to unpack and pack once, and the travel isn't stressful. Unless they have a problem with ships (seasickness or whatever), I think a boat cruise is a better option.


A fly cruise is where you fly to the port where you embark on the cruise. You still only unpack and pack once, lol.



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:15:37 PM)

I know they have current passports because they had to go to a funeral in London last month. They LOVE to travel but hate to do any of the prep, so I'm going to have it all done for them.

You guys here have the best ideas! Thanks.



ta_mosquito -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:17:20 PM)

quote:

A fly cruise is where you fly to the port where you embark on the cruise. You still only unpack and pack once, lol.


Oh! Okay! Kinda like how we had to fly from Minnesota to Miami? LOL! [8D]

quote:

I know they have current passports because they had to go to a funeral in London last month.


Wonderful! Glad that isn't an obstacle.



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:30:40 PM)

I've already found the itinerary I want for them. They fly out to Istanbul, Turkey, and sail through the Bosporus to Smyrna and Ephesus in Turkey, then Athens, Greece; then up the Adriatic to Venice, around Italy to Palermo, Naples, and Rome; then Monte Carlo, Monaco and Nice, France. Then they make a stop for three days in Barcelona before crossing the Atlantic to Miami. Four weeks, it should keep them out of trouble for a while.

Now I just have to make sure they'll get on the plane.



MC4JC -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:45:17 PM)

I'm speechless! What a wonderful present. A lifetime experience I think :)



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 9:47:13 PM)

They have traveled a lot, but not for a while. Mom is a huge hypocondriac, and dad is just cranky. It will do them good to get some fresh air. They're in their 60s but act like they're about 102. I think they'll love it once they get going. It's hard to get them to leave the island.



ta_mosquito -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/5/2008 10:11:51 PM)

quote:

It's hard to get them to leave the island.


Island? Where do they live?



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 4:06:20 AM)

The island is Manhattan. It's hard to get them to leave town. If I ask mom to go with me someplace in Brooklyn, she says that she "doesn't do boroughs." For being so religious and everything, she's really sort of a snob sometimes. And dad barely leaves their house except for church and walking the dog.

They both used to travel a lot, but they've gotten sort of agoraphobic. I think a cruise will do them some good. I'm gonna call mom's doc and see if he can scrip her some xanax or something so she can chill when she travels.



Hislittleone -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 5:03:32 AM)

quote:

They both used to travel a lot, but they've gotten sort of agoraphobic. I think a cruise will do them some good. I'm gonna call mom's doc and see if he can scrip her some xanax or something so she can chill when she travels.


Although this idea sounds great and I'm sure you have the best of intentions this may not be something they would really enjoy. If your mom has developed anxiety about travelling and they both prefer to stay close to home then it might not be the best idea to plan such an extensive vacation?

I just know that I would not be very happy if my son planned something like this without consulting me first. I would greatly appreciate the intent behind it and would be gracious but it would completely stress me out. I enjoy travelling but like to know what's coming if you kwim. Not only is it travelling (which your mom seems to have problems with) but they'd be gone for 4 weeks. That's a long time.

How about throwing a surprise party the day of their anniversarry and announce at the party that the next day you've chartered a flight to take them to one of the most romantic getaway places in the U.S. (for a short stay....say two or three nights). Perhaps you could make a reservation for a romantic candlelight dinnner at a fabulous restaurant with a great view of something (water, mountains...). Have their suite filled with flowers, candles, champagne (or sparkling cider) and chocolate strawberries. Would they enjoy seeing a play or some other kind of show during their stay? Or what about planning a spa day for them to have massages etc.?

At the party you could have a slideshow (pics of their love story.....dating, wedding, pregnancies and births of children, family vacations etc.) to help celebrate the love and life they have shared for all these years.

Maybe if you shared their story (how they met and fell in love) with us, we could offer even more ideas. Also, what kind of hobbies and interests do they have?



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 11:35:40 AM)

Thanks for the suggestions Hislittleone! Your points are well taken, but I think it will work out all right. What I've done is gone ahead and booked the reservations with travel insurance so they're refundable. I'm having dinner with them tonight and am going to bring to subject up. I think they will go for the trip; they'd just never do it themselves.

This morning I planned a big anniversary party for them a lot like you describe, at one of their favorite spots in town. My sister, who never ever plans anything, is even going to provide the chocolate and wine. Since she lives in San Francisco, she's going to get Ghirardelli chocolate and Napa/Sonoma bubbly. She also thought that we should give them something tangible for a present, and since I guess it's the ruby anniversary, we decided on matching ruby earrings/cufflinks set in platinum. Sis has good taste, especially when it's my money.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!



Sadey -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 11:48:36 AM)

If they don't go for the idea, can I adopt you?
I'm not a bit cranky[;)]



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 11:59:38 AM)

You probably wouldn't want the baggage that I come with, Sadey, but thanks for the offer! I bet you're not cranky either, and I hope life brings you your share of chocolate and celebration!

Like I said, there was a time I put my parents through a lot, so I figure I owe them. Plus I get a kick out of seeing them trying to be all old and grumpy and sour, and then slowly chilling out and kicking back and actually having fun. Like I said, they're only in their 60's and in good health (despite my mother's certainty that she's going to die any day now), but they like to put on an act like they're at death's door. Once they thaw out, though, they do know how to party, and they enjoy it, too.



Sadey -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 3:14:55 PM)

Don't you know that parents have selective memory? Our kids can put us through horrendous times and when they are grown and doing well, we think "Oh it wasn't so bad".



ekserekseez -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 4:09:37 PM)

Thanks! I'll remind my dad of that!



ta_mosquito -> RE: Anniversary present for religious parents (9/6/2008 6:06:33 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ekserekseez

Thanks! I'll remind my dad of that!

LOL!! "Dad, you're supposed to not remember the junk I put you through!" [8D]



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