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!

I don’t think he’ll be fussed about the tablecloth and candles malarkey. Steak and a shag?

Thats true, I love a cheeky G&T :) Haven't looked at our album for ages..

😂

Exactly my first thought! Why is it just up to you to make it special for him?!

We stayed in for out 15th and I have no regrets, even though he died just 4 months later.

It was a November so we went to marks and got trays of all the fancy Christmas picky bits and spent the day grazing on them with wine and watching good omens cuddled up on the sofa. Lots of laughing over in jokes we'd built up over the years and telling stories etc.

He's the one saying whatever we do at home is fine, as long as we're together. I guess I'm just worried about celebrating "the big one" just at home..

I meant to say WE appreciate a meal out, he's the one pushing for staying in. I guess I worry it wont feel as special just cooking something at home.

Get a posh ready meal in for two so neither of you cook.

Whilst it's in the oven, put everything in oven not microwave, it cooks better, crispy, and everything comes out together piping hot, but whilst that is heating, crack open a bottle of fizz at the table, if you want to go all out stick a tablecloth on, if you really want to go all out you could iron the tablecloth if you can find the iron and play the would you rather game together. You can get cards, it's a series of fun questions, like
"Would you rather have wings or a tail?"
"Would you rather it was daylight or night all the time?"

Bit of music in the background.

No time wasted travelling.

Perhaps throw in a drink at the local if you want to leave the building before or after.

Easy, loving, fun.

It's the day to day marriage that counts not what you do on one particular day.

Enjoy.

15th anniversary is traditionally Crystal -

so how about a pair of nice wine or cocktail glasses as a gift, that you celebrate with champagne/chateauneuf de pape/cocktails of choice and a ready meal from Cook or another of the nice heat at home types?

A nicely laid table, candles and dinner always feel celebratory, you don’t need to go out for that. And no one needs to be designated driver either.

Exactly. It's not like it's his birthday, where the onus is on the OP to treat him and make him feel special. Anniversaries should involve mutual effort, if they're celebrated. (Neither of us knows when ours is...)

A fort, in the living room.

Out of chairs and blankets etc. You're missing out if of you haven't done it 😅

As you say OP, money's tight, at the moment, just because a wedding anniversary happens to be now, it's not a raffle ending in 0 or 5, in every way a 16th wedding anniversary is more poignant than a 15th.

Me & H only know what year we are on because of the age of our eldest! Just to give you some idea.

In fact our friends usually say happy anniversary to us before we do, then we panic because are we supposed to return the message on their anniversaries? Along with birthdays, and Christmas!

I haven't kept a record of the dates of their wedding days, I take a stab at "August" and leave it at that!

Pictures?

of course you can stay in. Maybe treat yourself to the M B and Gastro range? (The lasagnes is delicious , restaurant quality).

Of course, get some fancy food in or a special takeaway, champagne( Aldi is around £10) and light some candles.

This is basically what we're doing for ours this year :)

The big one? I think it's nice to have some treats but 15yrs isn't a big one or is it?

I disagree with a pp please do not get the wedding album out. Food and then sex will surely be what most people would be happy with!

Been happily married 28 years. We always wish each other a happy anniversary, always swap cards, sometime go out, sometimes stay in - depending on what day it falls. It’s not a big deal for us really.