This is my friend's 50th wedding anniversary and I need help in designing the program.

The 50th is the Gold anniversary, so the program could be printed on gold paper or using gold ink or tied with gold ribbon, etc. You could check out our Plan/Great Ideas section for program suggestions, to see if any of this applies to what you are doing.

Make the couple's honeymoon destination your theme. For example, if they went to Hawaii, decorate with flower garlands, serve tropical drinks, play Don Ho CDs, and roast a pig. If they went to Paris, hang travel posters, play Edith Piaf CDs, and serve French food (click for recipes). Don't forget to include framed pictures from their honeymoon album (you might also want to copy one for the front of the party invitations). If the couple didn't have a honeymoon, why not send them on one? (The party decor can serve as a gentle hint for the gift presentation at the end of the evening.) Other gift ideas include: a video made from old home movies, a collage of photos from the last 50 years, or even a special anniversary greeting from the president of the United States! (Just write to the White House, Greetings Office, Room 39, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20500-1600 and allow four to six weeks for delivery.)