How to say thank you for helping us finance a party?

[LorraineR-R]

My husband and I just threw a surprise birthday party for my MIL both my BIL & SIL helped finance the party. Is there a protocol for saying thank you for helping us finance the party?

[waterboatman]

Why not take them out for meal to say thank you. It always works for me!

[bednobs]

presumably, the b-i-l and s-i-l are childern of the of the m-il anyway, so why should you have to thank them for contributing to the party/present? why are they not thanking you/taking you out for dinner? Or, more sensibly both of you just saying thanks for that help, it wouldnt have been possible without the other one

[carmalee]

are we not talking families here? can't see where 'protocol' comes into it - doing something for a family member is what being part of a family is all about - surely you don't need a pat on the back for that.

[Totterdown]

Perhaps what Lorraine meant was that she (and her husband) thought of arranging the party, then the others offered to help finance it, for which Lorraine was very grateful. If Lorraine thought of it first, the others didn't have to offer financial support, but they did and Lorraine wants to thank them for it. We all know families can pull together, but not always. Just say you are very grateful for their help.