With the UK in the middle of a national lockdown, just how can we find a way to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries at home when we're juggling working from home, home schooling and managing our mental health through a global pandemic?!
It would be easy to think that it just can't be salvaged this year, but I disagree. Lockdown through the winter is tough and I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that everyday feels very much like Groundhog Day - so one way to combat this is to go a little extra on celebrating events wherever we can.
I know that I'll certainly be making a much bigger deal out of Pancake Day this year than I usually do! And an anniversary is the perfect opportunity to do something fun and out of the ordinary.
Here are my top 5 ideas for celebrating in lockdown.
1) Have A Love Themed Brunch
This is one that we'll be doing ourselves and I'm really looking forward to surprising the family with it.
So I'll be laying out a special Brunch - I've picked up a red tablecloth, some rose confetti, themed party plates and cups, and some heart-shaped bowls to set the scene. We'll feast on heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes, and I'll set up our mini chocolate fountain with a buffet of dipping options such as banana, strawberries and marshmallows. The kids are going to love it!
You can also surprised your loved with a special gift too. https://awesomegifts.com/ have an amazing selection of unusual and quirky gifts, you're sure to find something to suit every possible taste and you can guarantee that with gifts such as bacon roses and beef jerky bouquets - they won't be forgotten about in a hurry!
2) Leave Surprise Love Notes
I've picked up some heart-shaped post-it notes, and I plan to surprise everyone in my family by leaving them dotted all around their beds - each with reasons why I love them written on.
I think it'll be a really cute sight to greet them when they wake up in the morning and it's minimal cost too!
3) Have A Romantic Dinner At Home
This one seems obvious, I know - but the good thing about having a celebration in lockdown is that lots of restaurants and bakeries are offering Restaurant In A Box options.
We usually go for the typical M & S Dine In Deal every year, but I've seen SO many great offerings from local businesses this year so I think we'll try something different and make an evening of it - lay the table, get dressed up and finish off with a romantic black and white movie. If you really wanted to go all out, you could even arrange for a hire bar to make the evening extra special with cocktails on tap created for you!
I've seen everything from giant sharing pasties and pies, to elaborate 3 course lobster dinners on offer - the hardest part is going to be deciding which to go for!
4) Spend The Evening Star Gazing
If the weather permits it, then what could be more romantic than setting up a picnic blanket outside, wrapping up warm and snuggling up under a blanket to share a bottle of wine under the stars?!
5) Have A Home Spa Day
This is something that my partner and I actually did ourselves a few weeks ago after a particularly stressful day with the kids.
Once they were in bed, we put on our dressing gowns and set about pampering ourselves for the evening. My partner isn't usually the spa type but he let me put a face mask on him and we laid down on the bed together with cucumber on our eyes, and enjoyed a guided meditation from YouTube. We lit some scented candles, and let ourselves just spend some time relaxing - it was bliss and would be such a lovely way to spend the evening!
I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration, how do you plan to spend the special occasions?
Competition
To help you celebrate at home, I'm giving away a £150 Wagamama voucher - perfect for a takeaway to help mark your special occasion!
To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below.
Ts & Cs apply, no cash alternative offered, winner will be contacted by email after entries have been verified.
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