Is it possible to have a special anniversary just staying in?

[SassyPearlRaven]

Okay, so, anniversary coming up (15 years) problem is, money's a bit tight right now so we can't go out for a posh meal like we usually would. I'm thinking of doing something at home, but worried it'll seem a bit rubbish.. He's normally pretty easy going, but he does appreciate a nice meal out.
Any ideas for making it feel special at home? I was thinking fairy lights, cooking a nice meal (nothing too complicated though!), maybe a film afterwards. Is that enough, or will he be thinking 'Pizza Express would have been better'? Honestly, any advice appreciated!

Table cloth, candles, music, film after.

Of course!
Chateaubriand, favourite veg, and a bottle of red wine, gu chocolate puds for dessert. Lay the table nicely. Soft music, sit and chat after dinner. Perfect!

Yes agree with this.
I mean you can celebrate any anniversary the way you want. There is no onus on you to celebrate the way others do.
If you are eating at home it gives you scope for lots of kisses and cuddles and you couldn't do that in a restaurant.

We had our 25th wedding anniversary at home in the evening. Few bottles of wine, boys (22 and 17) left us to it.

Was a great night. 😁

Could you set a budget for treat and agree together how to spend it? I'd take the day off and go to a favourite place or somewhere new you've thought about visiting for a while.

I'd be happy with a walk with coffee and cake afterwards. We rarely do anything for our anniversary - it's not obligatory!

Haha that made me laugh! Thank you that made me feel better, I guess I just worry it wont feel special enough to just stay in. But yes, there are for SURE things you can do at home that you can't in a restaurant 😆

Candlelit dinner with fav food and drinks, perhaps cocktails as no-one is driving. You can get out the wedding album or video too

If you can stretch to it then a posh cook at home box from haar or a fun one from cookaway could make it more special

It's not really possible for either of us to take the day off so it's basically just the evening we have together. Anniversaries have always been important to me (I know it's silly to some but for us it's always been a thing.) But thank you for the idea, hopefully another time :)

We often do romantic dinners at home, I think you could do it!

Plan and shop ahead and make something that's minimum effort on the day
Have candles and fairy lights
Put some music on (that's your song or whatever)
Send him an invitation to the dinner, it can be an email
Both dress up a bit
Drink wine or fizz or whatever

Happy anniversary, I hope you have a lovely time!

I love planning nice evenings with dh!

If you're going to the trouble of thinking of, planning and executing a nice meal for him, within a budget that presumably applies to both of you, then how on earth could he possibly be disappointed with that?!

What's he contributing to this anniversary experience?

Yes of course you can 😊. We’ve always celebrated anniversaries too but on our 10th DH was unexpectedly struggling with anxiety and mild depression (brought on by a horrible work situation but took several months to get a hold on it) and I decided we needed to go low key. Once the DC were in bed we had a lovely meal at our own dining table with candles, music and time to talk. It was really lovely. ☺️

One year we built a fort and watched some movies with pizza and wine. Very nice 🙂

When we have been pushed for money, we just eaten at home, I remember one valentines I came home from work and he had dinner on the go and had set the dining room up lovely with candles, flowers, wine and it was lovely and the same for our anniversary last year and it was only an M&S meal deal but it was actually lovely, this years anniversary we went out to eat at our favourite restaurant and whilst it was lovely getting ready and making an evening of it I actually preferred last year as it was the effort he put in to make it lovely for me.

Course you can. We had our 15th recently, were due to have a day off for lunch together but sadly I had a family funeral that day (they happen quick in our culture so not much time to change our anniversary plans). I got nice meal and sides from M&S, nice wine, made a pud. Kids were with us but all made an effort to dress up and we had a nice chat about memories over the years. We didn't do much else in terms of decor and stuff due to my bereavement but it was still a break from normal life. Oh and we listened to our first dance plus other songs from our wedding playlist, which was great to prompt happy memories too.

You can add whatever things will make the night special for you, the main thing to me on an anniversary is that you take time together and remember all the things you love about each other, the times youve been through etc.

Also, if you really feel a meal in isn't enough maybe make a plan to celebrate your 15 and a half anniversary with a meal?

We had a Chinese takeaway for our 25th Anniversary. DH got the idea from friends who had done the same for their 25th! Ever the romantic!
We don't have takeaways very often so it was actually a treat.

Do whatever you want. No point in spending money you haven't got.

He's normally pretty easy going, but he does appreciate a nice meal out.* Any ideas for making it feel special at home?*

Why is the responsibility for creating a nice celebration - and ensuring that he's not disappointed - all on you?

You write as if it's his birthday, not a joint anniversary.

What's he doing to make it special for you?

@CoatRack you built a what now?! 😂

Exactly this!

We often eat in for special occasions. Neither of us has to drive, we don't have waiters asking us how our meal is, we can take a break before pudding. If we want different wines we don't have to buy 2 expensive restaurant wines, we can open them at home and drink the rest the next day.
So do it, and enjoy.

Yes of course, married over 30 years and we frequently celebrate with a nice meal at home ... I find so many restaurants are over rated, very expensive and poor service that I very rarely want to eat out these days. I trained in hospitality (very formal training, years ago ) and am probably very fussy discerning about restaurants. I don't want to be served an expensive meal by someone who starts the conversation with "are you alright" or worse "alright there" and has little interest or knowledge of the food they are serving.
I did eat out last week - an informal Italian restaurant and it was such a pleasure to have my coat taken and hung up ... don't think that's happened in years!!

Have you ever ordered something in you then cook at home? Like ding dong dim sum? Cheaper than going out but less effort than fully preparing something.

We always celebrate ours too!

Of course it can be special st home.
Why not ask your husband what he fancies to eat and plan it together? Dress up in ur finest. Have a great time