If you know they support a specific charity or cause, then make a donation in their honor.

Or a gift card to a local restaurant.

If you could, I would go one step further and ask the children if they could suggest a favorite restaurant of their parents.

Yes, restaurant cards, movie cards, or charity donations, things that won"t gather dust. They really don't want any more unk-jay to get rid of at this point.

As one who is preparing to celebrate 40 years of marriage in December, I second the idea of restaurant or movie gift cards. I'm making a list of things to ebay or craigslist and can't believe the c*ap we've accumulated.

If you're friends with the neighbors' children, warn them against any useless decorative item with "50 years" emblazed on it. I've seen more of that stuff at estate sales than I care to count.

Dee

The above ideas are all perfect IMO! By your 50th anniversary the last thing you need is more stuff to clutter up the place.
Lynn

Interesting...my grandparents celebrated their 50th and someone gave them one of those awful cheap plates decorated in gold with linked rings...etc etc....gag!
Grandpa died 3 years later and Grandma lived another 20 years.....and that plate was one of her prized possessions.
There's no accounting for taste....said the old woman as she kissed the toad.
Gift certificate to a restaurant, bottle of wine, tickets to a show....

As others have so wisely stated, you simply cannot go wrong with a restaurant gift card. My DH and I have received a number of them throughout the years, and they have never gone unused. I hope it's a lovely party!

A blooming potted plant would also be a nice gift.

I like the restaurant gift certificate as well. However, depending on their age, health, driving ect you could also do a freezer gift like 2 lobster tails or lump crab cakes, two high quality filets or maybe something that could go towards a romantic dinner at home.

Nanny, correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you a very talented seamstress?? How about a couple of gorgeous pillows (or one) for their sofa or bed. If I were your neighbor, I would LOVE something you had sewn. Aren't you the one who made Shee's bedding?? If so, you are one talented lady.

Thanks for all your suggestions. A theater gift certificate seemed to be the best solution for this couple. Yes, I thought about sewing something delicious for their home, but I have never been inside and have no ideas as to their taste! All these years, their parties have been held out of doors in the yard overlooking the water, (they even have a separate party restroom), so their interior decorating taste is still totally unknown to us.

Thanks for all your help!