Ways to make a day special that aren't food......?

[MrsWP]

Just that really.

It's been a few birthdays/celebrations lately of my own family, as well as friends, and all of us, now more than ever have made the days totally food-centric.

Special day? Takeaway. Cake. Sweets. Ice cream. Drive thru. Etc etc.

Those of you who don't do this. (I am now one of those people - but am yet to have a special day)

How do you make a day special in other ways.

I of course have a few nice ideas but would love more non food input please.

I guess an activity that you wouldn't normally do?

Balloons & flowers are quite easy

For a kid's birthday, the day always starts with a treasure hunt. Each present has a clue leading to the next one. Draws out presents for ages rather than five minutes of mad paper tearing. Clues depend on child age -- my seven year old gets riddles, my five year old is still on pictures. Put an early difficult clue somewhere in the kitchen so you have time for the kettle to boil.

Yes we're big on flowers. I give them to my DH and DC and they all love it.

Could probably do more about balloons. That's a nice touch. I tend to only think of them for DC birthdays.

The treasure hunt idea is an awesome one. How fun!

Decorations, activities, party games. A theme is usually a good idea, because then you can dress up, do appropriate games or activities, have a themed disco, etc. Could also do a quiz, scavenger or travel hunt, get the board games or cards out, fill the paddling pool and have a "beach" party, get some glow sticks and have a "rave." I think if you are creative and plan ahead there is never really a reason to make food the focus. It's an easy default to concentrate on the food, but actually it's not that interesting if you do it all the time. If food is always the focus then it's not fun anymore.

We love bowling (pre covid) or a walk on the beach/ trip to NT property/ castle. Cinema ?

It’s quite fun to put clues in the balloons ans pop them at each hiding place to get the next clue?? Otherwise things like pick a game for us all to play, pick a playground to go to (depending on ages! I’m assuming kids, but ignore if not!), movie night, new outfit for the day (or new top or whatever), stay up later than usual, urm.... hopefully any/ some of those things may sound fun for your birthday person??

Depends on ages but duvet day, blanket fort, music (turn it up and have a party, play musical statues, guess the intro, etc), get dressed up and/or fancy dress, turn the room into a day spa (Mani/pedis), make or paint things (all paint each other, or paint clay pots etc), films, charades, water fight, camping in the garden, quizzes, karaoke.

Birthday crown, decorate a chair. Staying up late. Festival vibe with a decorated tent.Queen/ King of the remote control even

I have the same problem it’s a great question to ask! For my sons birthday this year we made him a space station out of extra large boxes and silver blankets (you know the emergency ones).

Bubble machine is a hit with my young kids.

Thanks so much everyone.

Blanket fort is amazing!!

And bubble machine.

All these things we've done individually for fun. And are so much better than a greasy pizza!

I've been so healthy and happy all year so far. But once April hits it's a birthday-fest and I was really getting stressed about all my progress being thwarted.

Now I'm excited about everything other than the food!

We hired a hot tub- kids LOVED it

Ketamine

For our first lockdown birthday a year ago we did a "special birthday bath" - which involved dumping lots of ballpit balls in the bath with the water.

Also, a water fight in the garden is something that the kids love, but I can only really stand on special occasions!

There's more to food and takeaways than greasy pizza.

Next nice weekend day we have, I'm going to do a 'day of tapas' and make a load of tapasy bits and sit in the garden with a bottle of cava and a book and keep getting up for some more garlic prawns, patatas bravas, tortilla espanola etc etc, because it's probably the nearest I'll get to a Spanish holiday any time soon.

You can get all sorts of restaurant food delivered, or have a nice BBQ with marinated chicken, salads, prawns etc

OneTc

For DH’s 40th last month we ordered a ‘cook at home’ meal from a v posh restaurant in the city. I know it’s food related but it’s not like a normal takeaway if you know what I mean. We also did an online escape room with friends. DD’s birthday was also last month and she had asked for Twister and actually that was really fun for us all to do. We do treasure hunts at Easter.

Hot tub or home made spa day/night

During lockdown? Honestly can't think of much.