Dad, this is your life

May 26, 2009

Father's Day is approximately three weeks away, which leaves party planners enough time to plan something special for the patriarch of the family.

One idea is to throw dad a special This is Your Life party, based on the 1950s television show where a contestant was unknowingly brought on the program and shown pivotal or memorable moments from their life.

This same concept can be done for your dad. He'll know about a party, since it's a national holiday, but he shouldn't be suspecting to be placed in the spotlight with his family reviewing the great moments of his life.

Find old pictures of him from his childhood or from his young adult life, and consult with some older relatives or friends for stories.
Don't go overboard with the stories. Try to pick four to five good ones and, ideally, have a picture ready to relate back to the story. It may be a good idea to scan the picture and make digital copies so you can pass them around.

And feel free to have some fun with the party decorations too, either with your dad's baby pictures or those taken during his adolescence, a period of life recognized as the height of awkwardness for most people.