for my Mum’s 50th my Dad rented a cottage on the coast and invited all my siblings, grandkids and significant others up for a long weekend. Just spent the time fishing, messing about on the beach, in the pub and generally knocking about in the house. I don’t think it was particularly expensive – no more than the cost of a couple of nights away in a hotel as it was out of the main holiday season.
I think the proposal idea sounds like the best chance of redemption, especially after 34 years…