How To Celebrate Someone Special When You Don’t Want To Go Out
It’s a very strange time in the world. Places are open and we can go out, but things aren’t quite the same. And if you’re anything like me then you’re trying to not expose yourself any more than you need to. Almost all of us have had a birthday or special occasion pop up during COVID times. And whether it’s your own or someone close to you, choosing how to celebrate someone special at the moment can be a little tricky.
Some people may not want to go out to a busy restaurant or bar. And with restrictions changing all the time you have to choose who you want to see very carefully. But there are lots of ways you can celebrate someone special indoors without having to head outside. And sometimes these DIY at home experiences can mean even more as they show thought.
Celebrating someone special with an at-home afternoon tea
There’s nothing I love more than a good afternoon tea filled with sandwiches, cakes, and of course, scones. Usually, I’ll do 2 or maybe 3 a year across hotels and restaurants. But it’s been almost a year since I’ve had one outside. That’s why as an early birthday treat to celebrate my Nan’s birthday I hosted her an afternoon tea.
If you’re going to do an afternoon tea you can make your own. Then you can handpick the sandwich fillings and cakes. Or you can support a local business like Piglets Pantry to supply you with the goods. On this occasion, Red Letter Days gifted me a voucher to use at Piglets Pantry for Grandparents day which I’m very thankful for.
I won’t talk too much about the food from Piglets Pantry as I did a whole post on their afternoon tea here. But check out businesses local to you who may be offering a similar thing. During this time it’s so important to support businesses who may be suffering.
How I made my afternoon tea even more special
In order to celebrate someone special, I wanted to make sure the decoration and styling were just right. And thankfully I have just the collection from the Sara Miller collection by Portmerion which features in the photos on this page. My love affair started a few years back when I was privileged enough to work with Portmerion. The patterning was so striking and beautiful than my collection began there.
I have a beautiful set of gold pastry forks* embellished with the bird design and a matching cake slice*. When I was at the brand’s outlet store just outside of Edinburgh earlier this year I picked up the most incredible set of four cake plates. Each plate is a different colour and design but can you tell that green is my favourite?!
Then finally just a few weeks ago I was sent the stunning Chelsea teapot* which pretty much completes my at-home afternoon tea collection. I love having a set as beautiful as this as it makes hosting an afternoon tea to celebrate someone special that bit more of an occasion. 
Other things you at host at home
If afternoon tea isn’t quite your thing there are plenty of other things you can host at home to celebrate someone special including:
- Send them a birthday message through an ecard – This is not something that you can host at home, however, sending an ecard is a safe and great way to show your special someone that you remember their day. You can purchase one online or better yet, you can design your own through free online graphic design platforms to make it even more special.
- DIY cinema experience- Pick up some popcorn and snacks, print out some tickets, and turn your living room into your own fancy cinema
- At home cocktail bar- Grab all of your fancy cocktail ingredients and accessories and print out a menu with funny cocktail names to serve to your guests
- Gamed and bingo night- Print off some bingo cards and order some silly prizes for the winners. And get all of your board games ready for a fun-filled night in
What have you been doing at home for birthdays and occasions?
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18 responses to “How To Celebrate Someone Special When You Don’t Want To Go Out”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
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This is a lovely article and I absolutely LOVE a good afternoon tea! Having recently gone vegan, it can be difficult to find places that offer vegan afternoon teas, so doing one at home is a great alternative.
Yeah I bet it would be much easier to support dietary requirements if you’re doing it yourself x
I love a nice afternoon tea. Plently of cakes and jam and cream scones. The plates you have look amazing, they are just so pretty.
That tea set is absolutely gorgeous! Afternoon tea is one of my favourite things in the whole world! We have it for all special occasions x
I’ve been hearing a lot about this Piglet’s Pantry, I really do need to give it a try! Their cakes look amazing, but not as amazing as that crockery set! I’m in love! Sim
The cakes are great, but it’s their sausage rolls/ pastries which they are famous for x
What a lovely tea set I love it, I love going out for afternoon tea, and what a lovely way to celebrate and do your own at home
What a lovely idea – I love the sound of an at home afternoon tea. None of us have actually had anything big to celebrate during the lockdown time but Jack’s birthday is coming up so it is definitely something I need to think about.
It’s tough as it’s going to be like this for ages and trying to make things special indoors takes a bit more time and thought x
That sounds like a really lovely way to treat someone. I love the design on your afternoon tea selection. It’s really pretty and ideal for special occasions.
I love a good afternoon tea…who doesn’t! I must say that your plate set is super pretty and looks really special xx
I haven’t had a lovely afternoon tea in so long, this is definitely something we need to try and re-create at home soon.
My Mom loves tea so she would find this type of celebration to be very appealing. I’ve always preferred celebrating at home over going out, it’s more personal for me.
I do agree, it can be a lot more personal doing it at home x
Great ideas here. DIY cinema is actually an amazing one I want to try 🙂 It’s good that we’re all being more creative 🙂
This is such a lovely idea, I love the idea of having an afternoon tea at home and being able to completely tailor it to what you like and dislike etc! Your plates and cutlery are SO pretty too! x
Oh I love a good afternoon tea, it’s such a real treat and is so easy to organise for the home. Your tableware is absolutely stunning, no wonder you love it so much!
I love heading out fo afternoon tea however since lockdown I have made sure I create my own at home which has been just as special.