I came to this site looking for ideas for my parents who are trying to come up with a good 50th anniversary gift for my grandparents as well. I appreciate the ideas that have been posted thus far. I do have a suggestion for the group - My mom made a cross-stitch blanket that is hanging above my grandparents' bed for one of their anniversaries. It's basically a family tree and includes a square for each person - My mom stiched i.e. "John" (son) and his birthdate and then "Jane" (wife) and her birthdate, and in between the two - their wedding anniversary date. And then below John and Jane are the three kids and their birthdates. In each person's square she stitched a little item that represents that person - like my square has a piano because I play piano... my cousin's has a baseball, etc. It was VERY well received and it's perfect because we know how when you get old you are very good at forgetting dates! I thought this was the best gift idea ever and it was very well received. And every time a new family member is added, my Mom just updates the blanket.... The problem is now, we have their 50th anniversary coming up and this past anniversary gift is going to be very hard to top.

I would be tempted to make up a little envelope full of brochures on Italy, with a little note saying, "Surprise! I booked us a trip for May!". As soon as a look of shock/dread crosses his face tell him the truth. I'm a brat. I wouldn't be able to resist.

It's not hokey at all! I sign our entire family on cards (including the furkids) If you still think it's hokey read on... I work for a vet and about 3 years ago we had a lady come in to leave her dog for daycare. The husband was dying of cancer and they had come back to let him be with his family. The dog, Max, was wonderful. Everyone loved him and he was super sweet and smart. I began talking with the lady when she came in and one day she told me they had just celebrated DH birthday a couple of months ago and she hoped he would hold on for 3 more days because it would be their anniversary. They were both in their early 50's and had only been married a few years and she said it would mean so much to both of them if they could celebrate one more year. Sadly, she came in the next day to leave Max with us and told me DH passed away early that morning. I went on my lunch and bought a sympathy card from our practice and then I bought a Happy Anniversary card. I filled out the Anniversary card from Max to his "mom" It was started off that "dad" told him to make sure he told her Happy Anniversary, and to tell her how much he loved her and was fortunate to have such a wonderful marriage with a loving and caring person. I rubbed Max's paw with ink and stamped the card. I put it in his tote bag, she never checked it. She picked Max up on their anniversary, and she was just devastated by her loss. She was on her way back home and thanked us for caring for Max. She left and about 30 minutes later she came back, she had stopped to get gas and checked his tote bag to make sure he had everything and found the card. She was crying happy tears and said that was the most thoughtful thing "Max" had ever done for her. She wanted my address, a few weeks later I received a thank you card and wonderful pictures of both of them. *moral of this story...hokey as it may seem, it may be the world to someone else*

That's a wonderful suggestion. I'll have to ask my son if there is a specific one near to her heart. She went to school in California, Philippines, India & Boston & also worked in Seattle & Beijing so I'll have to ask him what he thinks. I'm sure there's something.