We usually take a holiday on our birthdays to create more and more memories in our lives. However, this year, we wanted to do something different.
My parents are coming next month, which means another year just passed by since I last saw them. As usual, we also plan our renovations around the summer time while they are here so my dad can overlook the work. We are starting another huge refurbishment in the house which you all will find out soon.
So literally I didn't have a lot of time on my hand to plan his birthday this year, but I had a million thoughts running through my head how to make it unique.
Birthdays of our loved one is always very, very special.
On this day we can all express our love, which not necessarily means spending a considerable amount of money.
About a month, I asked Carl how he wants to spend his birthday this year and honestly can say the answer was what I secretly hoped for. He didn't want to go out for dinner he wanted to stay and spend the day curling up on the sofa watching Netflix and eating a lot of junk food that can make us feel incredibly guilty the next day.
So he just wanted a usual movie night. Movie night is a standard mid-week activity in our life, so I thought this doesn't really suit for a birthday treat.
I wanted to follow his request as let's face it, it's his birthday.
However, I also wanted to make it memorable and to surprise him in a way that he would not expect it.
So, what did I actually do? Well, after going through all those ideas in my head, I finally came to a decision. I found an alternative solution where I can create a super memorable day but also have a lazy day.
The sort of movie night he wanted but with a projector.
I bought a projector that plays movies in HD quality and luckily, my friend's dad had a white screen that was only used once. Everything has fallen into place exactly how I imagined.
As our front room is the storage for all the building materials as the garage is fully packed now, I had to find an alternative place to set it all up. It was the kitchen, haha. I know, but luckily we have laminate flooring there and plenty of space in front of the fireplace.
I laid the biggest blanket I could find in the house on the floor then I made it extra soft with scores of pillows and throws.
As they say, food is the door to the heart, but that's not the case when you date a chef. I love to learn new things and to expand my knowledge of everything, but when it's come to cooking, I don't wanna know.
I'm pretty sure that many of you surprised your loved ones with some home cooked romantic dinners after a long day at work and the reaction was what you expected and felt that it's worth every effort and time. Well, that's not the case in our home.
I mean when he cooks yes, I eat at least two rounds, but for me home cooked meals are not
allowed unless they are desserts. I mean I can make them put all my time and effort, but nobody will eat it.haha.
As I said many times I'm terrible at cooking things will turn out overcooked or undercooked but never right and if you are thinking of thermometers don't even bother I got so many of them.
So, It's like its meant to be, if I didn't have Carl probably I would starve to death or just eat cupcakes all day long.
I'm sure you all understand now why I went so basic on the food on his birthday. I wanted to make it special and memorable in the right way. I can bake, so I wasn't worried about the cake.
Birthday cake is necessary on this day, so that's at least something
I made for him on my own. Carl loves Sticky toffee pudding, which is a longstanding British favourite. This dessert is consisting of a dark, very moist sponge cake made with chopped dates and covered in a toffee sauce. For the recipe click here.
Then I picked up some popcorn,coca-cola and a pizza on the way home.
Everything started to come along all together. Once I ticked the cake, food, location and the projector off my list, I had only one thing to do. The presents.
Carl prefers to spend quality time together instead of receiving some material items on every occasion. He loves useful quality items, but he would definitely pick a unique experience over any designer watches.
In the past 2 years, he picked up a new hobby that is quite helpful for us during the renovations so I thought I would buy useful presents for him.
I bought power tools and all sort of packages from Bosch, some DIY clothes and safety shoes from Dunlop.
I guess I can say that this birthday turned out to be a memorable day for both us.
I managed to put the smile on his face that I wanted to, and we both had lots of fun watching old movies on the projector.
How would you make your loved one's birthday special?
Do you prefer to dine out on your birthday or to stay in?
Would love to hear your comments below.
