Save the gift giving until near the end of your event. But allow enough time to read all the tributes out loud.
It's best to let the party warm up a little and let everyone get acquainted. Let them catch up with each other and get to where they are a little talked out. That's when they will most focus on the main event.
Its also good to build a little anticipation with the guests. Of course, this is a surprise for the guest of honor, so they don't even know its coming. But everyone else will know and will be anticipating it, looking forward to seeing what the reaction will be.
Also, after reading all the tributes, and possibly some intense emotions, people will be worn out and ready to leave soon after. So its good to leave the reading for last.
But make sure you'll have enough time for all the tributes to be read aloud. You won't want any guests who sent in a contribution to see other people leaving before theirs is read. They will feel disappointed.
And if people start leaving, there will be fewer people to interact with the guest of honor as they continue reading their tributes.
Also, if people start leaving you'll be tempted to stop the reading, which would be a shame.
About Me
- Tribute A Gift
- I wanted to do something special for my father's 80th birthday. I decided to make a tribute to him like my sister-in-law Robin did for her mother. Robin collected thoughts and good wishes from people who knew her mother Shirley and printed them on decorated paper.
Lots of us gathered at Shirley's house and we had a very special time. Shirley read them aloud and our hearts were touched in a powerful way. Especially Robin and Shirley.
This is what I wanted for my father. Except I did it on the web. And it could not have worked out better. My mother caught my eye while my father was reading his tributes and mouthed the words "this is the best thing you've done IN YOUR LIFE".
We occasionally laughed and cried as dad read each of his tributes. We had an evening we'll never forget. I was happy I could make my father feel so special, and proud of myself for putting it together.
Weeks later, my mother suggested I might help other people experience the same profound and warm emotions that we enjoyed with my father. And that's why I created "Tribute A Gift".
See TributeAGift.com for more.