When my dad turned 60, I knew his favorite hymn and broke it down into 16 sections. Several months before his birthday I contacted 16 family members and lifelong friends to ask if they'd help with the celebration. I mailed each one a number and a selected part of the hymn. Before his birthday, I mailed him a paper with lines numbered 1 through 16 (his wife was in on it so she could tell him to be patient and he would find out what the paper was for.) Dad received 16 calls at various times during a 2-hour period, giving Dad their number and their selected section of the hymn. I called last, and by then all the lines had been completed. He got calls from all over the country and from friends and relatives who otherwise couldn't have participated. It took a little time to get organized, but it was so worth it. He enjoyed hearing from all his brothers, sisters and children, as well as others who meant a lot to him.