How on earth can I make teen's birthday special.

[Snufkin2]

DD turns 17 next Month and I'm struggling to think how to make the day special for her. We'd planned to give her driving lessons, provisional license etc and had even booked 1st lesson on day of her birthday. That's all stopped now and can't even get her a provisional license so we could start taking her out, as DVLA are only processing key worker applications. We won't be able to go out for a meal or see any friends or even go shopping. Life's a bit crappy for her at the moment in lock down, she had various exciting trips and university taster courses coming up that have all been cancelled and she hasn't seen anyone apart from DH, DS and me since lock down. Restrictions are still quite tight where we are so cant go any distance. Could go and see grandparents in their garden and get take away-tea, but it's hardly the stuff of 17th birthday dreams! I know it's a small problem in the current general situation but I'd love to do something to make it a bit more special for her and wondered if anyone had any ideas.

Could you go to the beach? Is it close enough? Take a disposable bbq and some sausages and spend the afternoon there?

There is a beach near us, in fact we always used to have her birthday there when she was little! Not sure if we're allowed to go there at the moment (in Scotland and lockdown will relax slightly on Thurs but not as much as England I think)

Ah ok yeah they do seem tighter on restrictions.

Alternatively, do you have a garden? If so, could you all camp out in it? Set up the tent, light a fire and get some marshmallows.

Depending on budget

Hire a hot tub for the day/weekend. They should be able to set it up still social distancing as will be in your garden and you can stay inside while they do. Get some Hawaiian stuff to decorate. Have mock tails

Movie marathon, popcorn, sweets etc

Spa day - get face masks, new nail polish etc

Get a fancy afternoon tea delivered/ make it yourself

Camping in the garden and toasting marshmallows is exactly what I'm planning for my daughter's 15th. I've also bought a pinata to hang in the garden...she'll roll her eyes and think it's "babyish" but it has nice makeup, good chocs etc in it .

Oh that's a great idea filling the piniata with stuff like that!

Hot tub hire above is also a great idea.

These are all great ideas. It's a week day and both DH and I will be out at work but could try and wangle afternoon off. We always used to make papier mache pinatas for their parties when they were little so could do that again and will look into hot tub hire (though I'd probably enjoy that more than anyone else 😄). Have previously suggested a "camping holiday" in our garden but got the inevitable eye-roll.

Make a pub in the garden - create a cocktail.

Cocktails, pinata and s'mores round campfire might be the way ahead I think.