Mum's big birthday

[TuckedIn]

My mum has a big birthday coming up very soon. For all intents and purposes she is an only child. I tried to organise a meal at a restaurant for mum, my siblings and our families - 14 in total but they've cancelled. It's just going to be my own family and mum (3 adults and 3 kids) Any ideas how to make it special. I've got a birthday cake and was going to decorate a corner of the restaurant but that's not possible now as with the smaller group we'll sitting in a different area. Any ideas most appreciated.

You don’t say whether you’d already dismissed the idea of inviting anyone outside the family. If your mother has any close friends - or a childhood friend not seen for decades - I think their presence might make the occasion feel more unusual and celebratory.

If possible it would be nice to have all the absent people ‘attend’ via FaceTime / Whatsapp to wish her a happy birthday during the meal.

Other than candles, flowers, champagne I’m not sure you could do much with the actual venue - unless you booked a private dining room.

Ask if you can decorate the table beforehand. Tell the staff, order some sparkling wine and make a toast. You’ll have the cake, it will be lovely.
Take some bits to keep the DC entertained if they are young.

Nice cake for the staff to bring out with sparkler fountain.
Pretty helium balloons for her chair.
Table sprinkles, you can take and pop when you get there.
Nice photo of you all at the table and you can frame it for her after.
Could you do a photo book is there time?
You arr doing all you can and I'm sure she will have a lovely time.

Are you sure she will be happy with this - especially ma

Sorry

Are you sure she will be happy with this - especially making it so public? If someone did this for me, I would never speak to them again. And I say that very seriously. If you know she won't mind, then crack on.

Thank you all for the ideas. I'm torn between making a fuss of her and making her feel foolish or embarrassed. I think, with her whole family around her she'd have secretly loved balloons and sparklers but with it being just the six of us she might feel a bit self conscious. I think I'll get champagne/prosecco for when we arrive and maybe bring a small centrepiece for the table and of course a cake.

You know your mum but I think 6 of you is a lovely number to celebrate with.