[LiteraryLark]

I enjoy going above and beyond to make my loved ones happy. It makes me feel happy.

I asked my Mamma (grandma) what I could do for my parents birthday, and she recommended something amazing.

She told me that when my uncle was going to prom my grandparents created a romantic dinner for my uncle and his date. They created a home-made menu of the hors dervs, salad, entree, and dessert. They kept it simple, but it sounded so romantic I took the idea and ran with it.

Here's my idea.

I will get my parents out of the house until 5 so I can clean the house and prep, and I will tell them to dress nice for the dinner.

They come home, and they are greeted by lights hanging over the doorway, there would be flowers everywhere and the table would be draped in a burgundy polyester cloth and set with the fancy wine glasses I got for my Dad's birthday, fine china (three plates, one for the hors derves, one for salad, and one for the entree), and matching burgundy cloth napkins. I will be dressed in a nice white blouse, black slacks, and an apron that goes over my waist, and I will wait on them and start with the home-made menu.

They will start with the wine and the hors dervs, and while they are eating I prep the salads, and then the entree. When that is done I will serve them ice cream sundaes, and after the dinner I will treat them to a theatrical musical number in the living room, "Funny Honey of Mine" from Chicago which was a number I performed in acting class but never showed my parents.

For the hors dervs I will serve meat and cheese and crackers, then a fresh salad, and home made pasta, either my mom's spaghetti recipe or an original pasta recipe, which would be home made alfredo sauce with grilled chicken and parmesean cheese.

I'M SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!

Here are some pictures of stuff I got from Goodwill, I got everything under $15 because everything was 99c, and then I just ordered the tablecloth and napkins on Ebay.

[Angelique67]

That all looks really beautiful. Is it for an anniversary or a birthday?

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

That all looks really beautiful. Is it for an anniversary or a birthday?

They both have birthdays in October and an anniversary in November

[Angelique67]

That's great! Do you think you'll cook for each day, or maybe just on their anniversary? Or maybe coffee and breakfast for their birthdays, and a dinner for their anniversary? Or vice versa,because they might want to go out to celebrate one or more of those days. (I know you can do it any way, but with three celebrations coming up, you'll decide what you want to do.

[LiteraryLark]

I was thinking of having them pick one day when they can do it. They will likely have to work on their birthdays, and they'd like to do their own thing on their anniversary

[Angelique67]

That sounds like a good plan.

[Yoda]

That is really nice of you. Have fun!

[healingme4me]

Sounds completely amazing! I like the items that you picked out. Sounds like ambiance to me. Can't wait to hear out it turns out, come October/November.

[LiteraryLark]

So my dad's birthday is October 5th, my mom's October 20th, and their anniversary is November 4th. All days they are working. They are off Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

The days we could have the bistro dinner would be October: 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-November 1, or November 6-8

They all seem like awkward times and not close to each other, as the 5th is a Wednesday, the 20th is a Thursday, and the 4th is a Friday which is all in the middle of their work week and all evenly spaced out from each other.

Any ideas on a good date to set the dinner party?

[LiteraryLark]

Also, I am debating how to get them to dress up without ruining the first impression they get of walking into the kitchen and dining area. I'm really big on the first impression, so would I be able to get them dressed up and send them out for the day? Or would I send them out for the day, have them come home and see the bistro, and then they go to their bedroom and get them dressed up then?

Not sure how to coordinate that.

[healingme4me]

I'd personally set the date closer to your mom's birthday. Perhaps the 16-18 is the better range?

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

I'd personally set the date closer to your mom's birthday. Perhaps the 16-18 is the better range?

Now I'm a little more confused. Should I celebrate their birthdays or their anniversary?

I was thinking about what the others said that I should cook them meals for their birthdays and lead up to their anniversary.

I mean, they'd love it either way, but I'm wondering if this should be a birthday celebration or an anniversary celebration...or both?

[healingme4me]

Tough decision. If planning for 1 very special meal in the way that you've described, I was thinking right before your mom's birthday. Dads are dads and special. At the same time, I'd hope after all of these years, that it's your mom that's the light of his life. Before her birthday, not after reinforces her specialness. And who knows, maybe your dad has plans for their anniversary? Is it a milestone year, for them? Do they go away? What are their traditions regarding their anniversaries in the past?

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

Tough decision. If planning for 1 very special meal in the way that you've described, I was thinking right before your mom's birthday. Dads are dads and special. At the same time, I'd hope after all of these years, that it's your mom that's the light of his life. Before her birthday, not after reinforces her specialness. And who knows, maybe your dad has plans for their anniversary? Is it a milestone year, for them? Do they go away? What are their traditions regarding their anniversaries in the past?

You make a good point, but I'd also like to hear from others and their point of views to make a good decision.

It all depends with their anniversary. They just recently celebrated their 25th. Sometimes they go away, sometimes they stay home and watch movies, sometimes they cook a nice meal, sometimes they go out on the town, mostly "Mom and Dad time". Doing something special for them like this would make their special day special.

[LiteraryLark]

I know my parents and they would love it whether it's for their birthday or their anniversary, but I'd like to hear what the others think as well.

[healingme4me]

I'm adding one more thing. My kids have the birthday conundrum. Their father's birthday is 12 days before mine, same month. Hence, my perspective on the priority aspect. It defers to my birthday.

[LiteraryLark]

It makes sense. I will think about it, there is still time to plan.

[eskielover]

I guess I would wrap them all up in one dinner celebration somewhere in the middle of the dates & since your mom's birthday is about right in the middle, I would probably closer to her birthday date. That way they could still do what they like for their anniversary together & your mom could do any plans she might want to do for your Dad's birthday. Usually mom's are the planners in the family & sort of get left out when it comes to plans for their own celebration dates......but covering all 3 with one dinner helps you cover them all & puts it closest to your mom's birthday just in case your dad is like many dad's who don't always do any special planning......just my thinking.

[LiteraryLark]

I need some more advice on the dinner itself.

For the dinner I'll be serving fettuccine with homemade alfredo sauce.

What wine pairs with pasta with alfredo sauce?

[eskielover]

Usually a white wine goes with alfredo sauce. It depends on what they like whether dry or on the sweet side......maybe feel out your parents on their tastes on that in a subtle way. Topic of wine is usually rather easy to bring up.

However if they prefer red wines, there is absolutely nothing wrong with serving one it's just that normally one pairs white wine with the lighter flavored sauces & red with the more robust tomato sauces.

[healingme4me]

A nice pinot grigio typically goes well with an Italian meal. Merlot would go well if choosing a red.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by eskielover

Usually a white wine goes with alfredo sauce. It depends on what they like whether dry or on the sweet side......maybe feel out your parents on their tastes on that in a subtle way. Topic of wine is usually rather easy to bring up.

However if they prefer red wines, there is absolutely nothing wrong with serving one it's just that normally one pairs white wine with the lighter flavored sauces & red with the more robust tomato sauces.

Would chardonnay be appropriate? That's what I had in mind.

[eskielover]

Sounds like a good choice

[LiteraryLark]

I have to pick of what I know of my parents drink. I'm not familiar with the white wine they drink but I do know they drink Korbel chardonnay when they want to be fancy. Chardonnay IS fancy! I'm just debating on the brand. My mom really likes Sofia but it's not chardonnay, it's a combination of different white wines, but Sofia is a rare treat because it is expensive and very satisfying.

[eskielover]

Sometimes the blended wines are REALLY good as it takes the best of the best & puts them together & can be a nice smooth wine that goes well with many different foods. If you have a budget, select within that but with pasta, you can afford a more expensive wine to make the meal shine unlike if serving steak or prime rib, the expense would obviously be the meat. Honestly I enjoy an outstanding pasta with an excellent wine to make a special dinner.

Your plans sound lovely!!!!!