My family is hosting a 65th Wedding Anniversary for my grandparents who are 80 and 85. We know there will be gifts from those attending so we need to do thank you cards. I'm just not sure how my grandmother can possibly write them (something over 200 friendsfamily will be attending)! She has arthritis...so what can we purchase/make/have printed that would be appropriate? I can hand write them for her but would that be any different than having something printed? My first thought was to come up with a poem about being old, bad handwriting, etc...something funny and have it printed and just have them SIGN them. I can address them for her.
What is etiquette for this? I've searched the net but there aren't many folks that are married for that length of time!

Your positive input is very much appreciated!
Melanie

I want to say how nice it is to read that someone knows that thank you cards should be sent for gifts received!!

Many couples married that long don't want gifts and that is puton the invitation in a nice way. Or, they suggest a donation to their favorite charity, or ask simply for guests to write down favorite memories of the couple.

I think you coudl easily come up with something whether purchased in a card store, or created with a computer In any case, a mention of the specific gift is meaningful.

Congrats on the 65 years to them, that is remarkable.

dl

Please, just don't do what a friend of mine did when she got married. They had a printed thank you note at each place setting at the reception. Tacky, tacky, tacky IMHO!

I think dl is right -- mentioning the gift is meaningful. I think people will certainly understand if the notes aren't handwritten as long as they are signed by hand. Maybe you could do something on the computer that is somewhat generic and then insert something in each card that specifically mentions the particular gift. Easy to do on the computer.

Congrats to your grandparents. 65 years is quite a milestone!

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Cecilia

"We must love them both--those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in the finding of it."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

Honestly, I don't think anyone would mind if they had some help writing the notes and just signed their names. I see it as the same as helping a 3 year old do thank yous--the feelings and sentiment are there but they physically cannot do the job.

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

I like your idea of something printed. Perhaps with their picture on it, since I don't think it would add much to the cost. I wouldn't be offended at all. And, I would appreciate the photograph.

How nice they will have such a wonderful party and that they have such loving family to be there with them!

WOW! Y'all are so sweet! Thanks so very much!

We've worked hard on getting the celebration JUST right so I want the thank you notes to be just right too. This is such a special occasion for all of us.

Thanks again!
Blessings!

I like adding a picture of your grandparents. How about adding a wedding photo & one of them now, add a poem and have them sign it. There might be people who would like to frame something like this as a remembrance.
I think most people would understand if the note isn't hand written by them.
Judy

If it bothers anyone that an 80 yr old woman had help with the cards or that the cards were preprinted and just signed I would say that person has a lot of extra time on their hands and is not a gracious person.
I too am impressed that there is still someone like you already thinking about thanking people when most people cannot even write an email or make a phone call to say Thank You.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

You can get photo thank you cards from the same place you get your photo Christmas cards. Take a picture at the party and use that on the thank you cards. They are quick, and don't cost very much. I think Costco lets you personalize them for no extra cost. Since it is family and friends I don't think they will mind if they are not handwritten.

I like the idea of a photo card to commemorate the event. I bet the party guests will too. What about enlisting the grand or great-grand kids to help write the thank yous?

cj/

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Maybe it's a regional custom, however, I usually see anniversary celebrations that request no gifts. When a couple has been married 40, 50 or more years there's usually not a need for any type of gift. When we did my parents 50th celebration, we requested no gifts although there were still a few that were given anyway. I'm already giving thought to doing another celebration in May for their 60th anniversary.

I'm in the middle of getting ready for a surprise 40th anniversary for my parents. I put it on the invitation that after 40 years together the last thing my parents needed was more stuff - so in lieu of gifts it would be wonderful if guests brought either a picture of the two of them from the early days (which I could scan after the party and return if needed) or a story or memory about them to share. We plan to videotape the sharing portion for my parents to keep.

Since she's only in her 70's (and would kill me for saying that), if my mother gets any actual presents she's on her own about writing a thank you note. Having said that, if I attended a party for someone who had arthritis or was in poor health etc I'd think a pre-printed thank you note that was signed by them would be just fine. If you wanted to go a pinch above that - over the course of a week or two she could sign them and add a single 1-line note about the gift. Something like "Loved the vase, can't wait for my roses to bloom next spring to use it" or "Only thing sweeter then the chocolates you gave us is you... - Literally 1 single sentance. Or you could help her write the sentance and she could sign etc.

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Can you have them sign their names once, photocopy it it, and paste it into the thank you card? Or can you find something (an old check or letter?) with signatures that you can cut and paste into a thank you card?