There are certain events in life that just have to be celebrated. Things like those milestone birthdays, significant anniversaries, engagements, hen weekends and refined stag breaks are top of the list for getting together with a group of your favourite people to mark the occasion. Some people like an all-out party, but very popular these days is a few days away in a large holiday house where you can celebrate just the way you want to.
Whether you’re planning a surprise for someone to celebrate a momentous occasion, or whether you’ve got a very special date coming up and are organising things yourself, one of the best ways to make it extra memorable is to gather together your nearest and dearest and spend time away in a luxury holiday cottage with room for all and exclusive use facilities. It might be your 40th birthday, it might be Grandpa’s 80th, maybe you’ve clocked up 50 years of married life, or have just announced your engagement – whatever and whyever, this is one sure fire way to make it extra memorable. It’s not unusual to celebrate graduations this way, reunions with friends and family you haven’t seen in ages, or even corporate away days to commemorate a notable achievement in the workplace.
Provided everything is right, it will be a celebration you’ll never forget. Finding a good location and a fantastic holiday house is crucial, but that’s easy-peasy when you’ve got a great choice like our collection of group accommodation for such events. Planning it well means including things that will make it super special while keeping everyone happy and relaxed at the same time. You want the pics for your Insta feed, you want the memories, so we’ve put together a list of ideas to make your celebration group holiday perfect in every way.
Hire a Private Chef
One of the best things in life is being around a big table sharing good food and happy chatter in good company. Planning, preparing and cooking a celebration feast can be stressful, so make it easy by hiring a private local chef to come to your holiday house and do it for you. You’ll work with them beforehand to agree on a bespoke menu, then on the day they’ll turn up with everything they need, including their own trusted waiting staff. They’ll work professionally in the kitchen, leaving you to get together and enjoy yourselves. You’ll be tucking into scrumptious food, freshly cooked using local ingredients, and at the end of the night, your chef and their team will clear everything away and leave the kitchen spic and span. What could be easier?
Entertainment
Don’t get in a tizz fretting over how you’re going to keep everyone happy during your celebration holiday! Book entertainment early on and tick that one off your list. Think of providers who will come to you, people who have done this kind of thing so many times before. How about a Murder Mystery Night from the likes of My Event Concierge? A night at the casino, a journey of magic and mystery, or a cocktail masterclass? Or daytime entertainment like an old school sports day, clay pigeon shooting, archery, a dance workshop, or a craft session? The suppliers bring all the gear and know how to get everyone joining in, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Except maybe fancy dress…
Pampering
Ooh, now come on, who doesn’t like to be pampered? Depending on who it’s for, this can be a brilliant idea and it’s so easy to arrange. Just book mobile therapists, select the kind of packages or treatments you want, get your robes ready, the fizz poured, and prepare to be pampered. A massage, a manicure, a facial – be totally spoiled from head to toe in the luxury of your holiday house. Now that sounds like a good idea.
Outdoor Adventures
If you’re an active bunch, why not head outdoors for a remarkable adventure? If watersports appeal get in touch with a supplier near where you’re staying and book up paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking or a sea safari. They can provide all the gear and tuition, you’ll all have a whale of a time. Hire bikes and go exploring the local landscape with a pub lunch factored in, or go pony trekking in the hills. There are so many adventures to be had, from obstacle courses, quad biking and laser clays to go-karting, a fishing trip, and a tree top challenge at Go Ape.
Unique Experiences
Think of an experience you’d all enjoy, something a bit different that will help your celebration weekend to stand out in the memory bank. A brewery or vineyard tour and tasting perhaps, a stroll through the apple orchards and cider sampling, go alpaca or donkey walking, take a canal boat trip and have cream tea on board, charter a boat for a self-drive sea trip and round it off with fish and chips on the beach.
Go Out to Eat
This is an obvious one, but if you’re a group of foodies, it’s worth considering this when you book a place to stay if there’s a particular restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. You could see it as an opportunity to try a different type of cuisine, like Japanese or Mexican. Maybe a restaurant or pub has come highly recommended, and you’d like to dine there, or perhaps the idea of eating at a cosy village inn that serves good, home-cooked food appeals.
Go See a Match
It could be that your celebration holiday or weekend is based around a match. Think about what the birthday person might like – their favourite sport and team, then check out the latest cricket, football, rugby or racing fixtures. It might even be possible to arrange a stadium tour or book an executive box as an added treat.
Dress the House
Provided you’re respectful of fixtures and furnishings, most holiday house owners are okay with guests decorating the place for a special occasion. We’re not talking sticking banners on the wall, and glitter, for environmental reasons, is a big no-no. But there are suppliers who can bring you personalised decorations and balloon arches to add a big celebration vibe. Likewise, call local florists and have them deliver bouquets and table decorations. Make it all look lovely, and your pictures will look so much better than an undecorated backdrop.
Have a Cake Delivered
Celebration cakes are a big thing, so get in early with this and order the birthday boy or girl, or the anniversary couple, a personalised cake. There’s a cake for all occasions, and it can be tailored to cater for special diets and decorated however you like. Local bakers will box it nicely and deliver to you the day you want it, so all you have to do is light the candles, limber up your vocal cords for a few rounds of ‘Happy Birthday’ and tuck in!
A Special Gift
Special birthdays, amazing anniversaries, big achievements – they all deserve a very special gift, right? So take a good look at what’s about near where you’re staying. It might even be an influencing factor on your choice of accommodation. We’re thinking things like a wing walk, a raceway experience at Goodwood, a helicopter or lightweight aircraft flight with a chance to take the controls; we’re thinking keeper for a day (yep, grown-ups can do that too!), a bird of prey experience, or a 4x4 driving challenge.
Make the Most of the Facilities
It goes without saying that if you’ve got top-notch exclusive-use facilities at your holiday cottage, you want to make the most of them, but have you thought about making them a bigger focus of your celebration? You could have a low-key pool party, incorporate the hot tub and sauna in your pamper day, set a pool or table tennis challenge in the games room, or organise a very special movie night – the birthday person’s favourite film and favourite snacks.
So, food for thought there, and inspiration to make your celebration holiday one massive happy time. Take a look at our large cottages in the UK, and it gets a whole lot easier for you because we work with suppliers who can do all these things for you. Stay organised, stay cool, and get your big happy on.