HELP!!!!!!!! my sister & I are in the process of planning our mom's retirement and I really need some ideas..

I know you ladies can always come up with some fun, creative
"inexpensive" ideas, so I am counting on you!!

Soon what type of things does your mom enjoy? Tell us about her likes and dislikes, future plans, etc so we can gain some inspiration.

First off -- Congrats on your mom's retirement. When is the event? Where are you having it?

Well Pam and Rhony-we are planning it for mid Aug. We are going to have it at a recreation center-just famiy and close friends. My mom is a RN and has been for the last 43 yrs-she is a homebody, just church and work..I don't even think she really has any hobbies.. LOL
very quite and laid back-so that is why it is going ot be just family/friends so we are looking for something a little low key...

Awe my mommy is a RN also. It takes a very dedicated person to be an Nurse and with the shortage and long hours they really never have time for themselves so ya'll should really do something nice for her. You know I get all my ideas from you ladies so I will have to sleep on an idea but good luck and happy planning.

If she is really excited to retire you may consider a "bon voyage" theme or "vacation" theme with bright colors and accessories like Lei's, flowers, and tropical drinks with umbrellas in them...Or you may do a "Retirement Tea party" with a focus on appetizers, and those little cakes (petit fours-spelling?).

If you invite co-workers you can have you let them organize games that trigger specific funny events or memories that can get the crowd laughing....I am sure there were plenty of times like that....

Even though mom is laid back don't make the event too lo-key. She has been in her profession for 43 years and I'm sure she has paid her dues. Make it extra special- not to the point where she will be uncomfortable at her own event but thats your mom...Hook it up!

Like Bumblebeekee said pick a theme and plan around that.

What time of day is the event? That too will determine the event formality.

MrsJ, since your mom is so very laid back ~ church and Home ~ the Tea Party sounds truly wonderful to me. For 43 years she has been running around the hospital as an RN,slow things down for her a bit, by giving her the opportunity to truly kick back and relax with her friends.

I love Bumble's idea of the Tea Party. Maybe, you could schedule it for like 3:30 PM and give her time to welcome her guests and such. Tea is usually served at 4PM, some nice soft music, different flavor english tea or french, finger sandwiches, petit fours (small french pastries), etc... You may choose to have some very small/low table centerpieces. It will be fun!!! I could see myself planning this.

Get on the ball Diva, with all of our help, it would be truly magnificent!!! Since you want to have it in August, send out your invitations in the beginning of July. I smell a DIY Project (LOL).

Let us know step by step what you're doing and we'll all help you with it!!!

I like the idea of a tea party or a luau theme. If you go with a tea party you coould use teapots with flowers in them as centerpieces. If you do the luau Oriental Trading will be your best friend! Let us know when you choose your vision so we can help make the day spectacular for mom!

I must agree with the ladies a tea party would be great.

hmmm...the tea party DOES sound great! we had already decided we were doing finger foods-so this will work great! Actually my Mom lives out of town, so my sister has been tasked with the place, time, etc...I am just the BANK! LOL also, we are thinking maybe 4 or 5 on a Sat. afternoon--again family and very close friends...

The reason we want to keep it pretty low key is because she is retiring, but it is mainly due to illness chronic renal failure) so it is not a happy go lucky moment, but it is a great accomplishment to her patience, time, and love that she has provided so many in the 43 years she has been nursing...

I agree with you MrsJ. It's a celebration of her and her lifetime dedication to such a thankless career.

I spoke to my sister last night and we decided on the color scheme being lt. pink and wine-on a Sunday afternoon after church w/lt finger foods; my sister also liked the "tea party" idea, so we are definetly going to try to incorporate that into the setting! thanks ladies for your ideas!

Bumble is wonderfully blessed with creativity and has given you a wonderful suggestion. I love the tea party idea. Your color scheme will be beautiful. All the best Soon!

DaughterRhonda wrote:

Bumble is wonderful blessed with creativity and has given you a wonderful suggestion. I love the tea party idea. Your color scheme will be beautiful. All the best Soon!

Rhony you are such a sweetie

Pink and wine sounds lovely. The tea pary idea sounds great. It will be very nice.

I like those colors together and they coordinate really well with a tea party theme.



Just trying to get a feel for the colors!

For flowers think of using stargazer lillies with black magic roses and callas:

I am loving those flowers Future! we are only planning to have 1 nice centerpiece on my mom's table so this will work perfect!!!!!!!!! on the other tables, we will have like a vase with a couple of pink roses (the tablecloths will be wine)

Soon maybe you can place some individually wrapped tea bags in an organza pouch for favors. You could add a funny caption on the favor tag using the word brewing.

Bumblebeekee wrote:

Bumble is wonderful blessed with creativity and has given you a wonderful suggestion. I love the tea party idea. Your color scheme will be beautiful. All the best Soon!


Rhony you are such a sweetie

As are you my sister!!!

pamcrow wrote:

Soon maybe you can place some individually wrapped tea bags in an organza pouch for favors. You could add a funny caption on the favor tag using the word brewing.

great idea! or maybe even a caption centered around her profession... hmmmm...keep 'em coming ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Found this at Oriental Trading:


Here's and easy DIY centerpiece. The teapot came from Dollar Tree (yep it cost $1). You can get bouquets of silk flowers from Dollar Tree as well:


I believe they had oversized teacups as well (or you can try Old Tme Pottery). You can fill them with water and add floating candles:


As I think of more I'll let you know.

how about this cute favor -- its got wine and pink in it and comes in a tea tin -- although you can probably put anything in it like candy or whatever:

You ladies are absolutely awesome!!!

zanne71 wrote:

how about this cute favor -- its got wine and pink in it and comes in a tea tin -- although you can probably put anything in it like candy or whatever:

Too cute!

You can also go practically to any favor company and order tea bag favors....

I was thinking that at the party you could offer a nice variety of tea stations like:

Green Tea
Black Tea
Herbal Tea
White Tea
and the nice thing is that there are sooo many unique flavors available (Strawberry, Blueberry, Vanilla Chai, Green Tea w/ Tangerine flavor...All the way to Peach or Mango White tea) so the sky is the limit! You could set each station with a little background on teas or history of that country, etc, or give out the favors with a mini-synopsis on tea.....

For finger foods you can have a table of hot finger foods on skewers, another table of fruit and the other with desserts....I think a tiered stand with beautiful cupcakes would make the dessert table stand out....You could add to the dessert table with flowers or petals on the table...Another dessert could be tea cakes (they look like cookies-recipes online), and you could do Walkers or other type of Shortbread Cookie and put a variety of small cakes (use the small bread loaf pan): Strawberry Cake, Lemon Cake, Chocolate cake)...These can also be garnished with petals, etc....