What's a good way to celebrate the start of something new?

November 7, 2024 9:19 AM

We just signed a rental contract! We've been frantically looking for a place for ten months now, and we're exhausted. But we found an apartment that seems close enough to perfect for us, and now we can relax a little bit (while moving). This must be celebrated, especially when there's not much else to be happy about.

Our current living situation is awful, with a landlord who condescendingly berates us whenever he can. So getting out is primarily a relief and only secondarily a source of joy. Even so, we are definitely excited about the new place. We'll have more agency there, we're excited about the garden, and the house is old and charming.

We'll be home together at about 8pm (we = toucanhusband and toucan). Any suggestions for something fun and special? We have access to city amenities, but we'll probably be quite tired.

posted by toucan to Grab Bag (6 answers total)

Do you have photos of the new place? Look at them and think, gloatingly, of how pleasant it will be to live there. Draw a garden plan. Eat girl dinner (charcuterie and cheeses and small tasty snacks) and drink a tasty beverage of your choice and say things like "I want this to be the bedroom!" and "The books will all fit here!"
posted by Lawn Beaver at 9:48 AM on November 7

What Lawn Beaver said and start thinking about cute change-of-address postcards (why yes, I am old) and/or emails and a housewarming event. Share your joy!
posted by ALeaflikeStructure at 10:06 AM on November 7

we're excited about the garden, and the house is old and charming

Maybe take turns making up stories about the garden and the house - who might have lived there in the past, what delightful and joyous things they might have done, what magical and beautiful things might have grown in the garden - or could grow, with you there?

Congratulations!
posted by kristi at 11:04 AM on November 7

I am not a celebrator.

That being said.

Just hold your partner and be joyful...
posted by Windopaene at 11:05 AM on November 7

Dancing in the garden would seem called for.
posted by SPrintF at 11:52 AM on November 7

For me, candles make anything feel like an occasion. In your place, I'd enjoy dinner with candles (battery powered works just fine if open flame is a no-go), a toast to yourselves for getting through this process and taking a step forward, and some shared daydreaming about your new home.
posted by EvaDestruction at 12:01 PM on November 7