Mother Daughter Banquet Ideas:

 The Price is Right—

Make games from the Price is Right Game show (ex. The Shell Game, Three Strikes, Hi-Lo, Golf Game). Choose contestants from different decades and do different years for each contestant. For example:  Using several of the older ladies do the prices of things in 1930( you can do common items they would have used like milk, bread, cars,  we chose toys they might have had like a bicycle—you can find the cost of things on the internet.)  Then, choose ladies to play from the 50s, 70s and 90s.  It’s also fun just playing with items from today!

 Fashion Show –

Many local boutiques are glad to outfit several ladies in the congregation with several outfits and then let them model.   Factory Outlet Stores (“Brown sign with the sewing machine in the Corner”) are particularly willing.  We outfitted 8 ladies (all sizes) each with 2 outfits--one casual and one dressy and had a blast.  Then the store gave everyone there a 10% coupon.

Flower Power—

Have a local florist come and give instructions on basic floral design.  You can teach people how to make bows like a florist, secrets to keeping flowers fresh, etc.   You can also play a game by putting flowers and ribbons on the tables and let each table create an original floral design then judge each table.  Small cups of annuals make great door prizes.

 Hello Dolly—

Do a doll theme.  We had an older lady in our congregation that collected dolls and let us use part of her collection as a display, then, everyone was invited to bring their favorite doll.  People could share stories if they wished about special dolls.  Some were handmade, some were antiques, some were collectors items, some were just very loved!  We had a doll store owner from Columbia come and give a short talk about some special dolls they had and how to recognize older, valuable dolls.

 Who wants to be a Millionaire?

Create questions based on the Bible and play in the style of any popular game show.  We did this with “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” at it’s peak of popularity.  Instead of singling out individuals to play by themselves we let teams of people answer the questions together and we chose contestants by asking questions like “Who here is a mother of more than 3?”

 Quilts—

Very easy to find in most rural communities especially, You can decorate with the quilts and do a program on the history and tradition of quilting.  Some quilters in the community may give a brief description on “how to quilt” for younger members or non-sewers.  Many companies/agencies give out little sewing kits with their logo which make great favors.  Fun just to learn a little about the many different patterns and styles.

 Hats Off to Mom—

Have an old fashioned “Tea” and let the ladies wear hats and gloves.  Get pictures of Hat styles throughout the years and display them with a quick presentation.  You can do a hat fashion show and model hats you gather from ladies in the congregation from many different time periods.  For extra fun—put a box of craft supplies on every table (a basic straw hat, scarves, ribbon, toilet paper, streamers, silk flowers and have each table make their own hat that someone from their group must model with their own creative description.

 Weddings—

Do a quick program describing where some of the wedding traditions come from.  Have a fashion show of bridesmaids dresses (wedding dresses if available) from different eras.   You can decorate with boxed wedding gowns and wedding pictures of people from your congregation or older gowns that are too delicate to wear.  We made a custom game of B-R-I-D-E (basically bridal bingo) and played that for prizes.  Finally for dessert, serve wedding cake!

 “You Must have Been a Beautiful Baby”—

Slide show Made up of pictures of women of the church as babies and then in the present.

 “Back to the 70s”—(Can do with any decade)

Program was pictures of members taken in the 70s, pictures of things that were happening (from websites and magazines), people in the news, you could incorporate what things cost, music and favorite dances of the time.

  Here are a few more:

1) "It's a Small World" - international/ Global Mission theme

2) Fashion Show through the Ages - 1930's, 40's, 50's...

3) Tea party complete with hats, gloves, finger sandwiches and beautiful tea sets.

4) "Planting Seeds of Faith" - garden theme (Involve young children in planting flowers)