A mum has transformed her garden into a McDonald’s drive-thru and outdoor cinema for her daughter’s 17th birthday during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Amy Lovell, 37, from Weston-Super-Mare, said she created the party for Taylor after her party plans were cancelled due to the global pandemic.
The mum-of-five said she spent hours turning the house and garden into the ultimate party venue - using everyday household items including duvets, a projector, fairy lights and balloons.
Sharing her unique birthday party idea on Facebook, Amy wrote: "17th Birthday in lockdown so we got creative, Mcds drive through for breakfast, party lunch, party games and an outdoor cinema.
"Not quite what we had planned but it turned out pretty good!"
Amy - who is also mum to 12-year-old Finley, eight-year-old Bean and seven-year-old twins Molly and Isla - said it brought a smile to everyone's faces.
The Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) for the South West Ambulance Service joked that under normal circumstances, Taylor would have laughed at the idea but due to the pandemic, was happy to get involved.
She said: "If we were not in lockdown and I’d suggested party food and games to my 17-year-old she probably would have laughed in my face!
"We probably would have barely seen her on her birthday so maybe there is some good to come out of lockdown after all."
The mum added: "Since she grew out of parties, her birthday would usually consist of a family meal and possibly a shopping trip, then she would hang out with her mates and we would barely see her, last year we were all banished from the house!"
Amy admitted that although the party games and birthday extravaganza was nothing like Amy’s usual celebratory plans, she was thrilled the family spent the special day together.
She also said it brought a glimpse of positivity to her day - despite the current global pandemic keeping households across the UK on lockdown.
Mrs Lovell added: "Taylor is hating isolation. She has A-level work to contend with, she can’t see her grandparents who she spends a lot of time with usually and she’s missing her mates and strangely her job!
"She can’t go shopping or do anything she enjoys. She understands most of what’s going on but is struggling to process it. This party was a very welcome distraction for her, hence why the ‘birthday bonanza’ lasted all day."
Amy admitted the transformation took a lot of creativity - and while the family spent some money, it was nowhere near how much they would usually spend on birthday celebrations.
She even used some things from her wedding day including sweet tubs and trawled the internet for party games and essentials.
They also made homemade signs, played pin the tail on the ‘Taylor’, pass the parcel and tried to eat doughnuts from strings.
She said: "I was very conscious not to make any special trips so managed to get everything with my essential shopping.
"Over a few weeks, everything else was bought from eBay, it’s amazing what you can make do with when you have to! I’ve been far thriftier than ever before."
Using her imagination and bouncing some ideas off friends and family members, Amy took a few small ideas and ran with them - admitting that her husband puts up with a lot!
She said her daughter’s reaction was unforgettable and the happiest she has seen her since lockdown started.
She said: "Taylor was probably the happiest I’ve seen her in weeks, she doesn’t very often ‘let go’ it was really nice to see her so relaxed with the others."
In just 24 hours, the Facebook post has already reached nearly 200 likes and is growing by the minute.
Speaking about going viral, Amy admitted she has been overwhelmed by the amazing response.
She said: "I can’t believe how much hype it has got. It was just a little party and anyone could have done it!
"I decided to share my post simply to give others some inspiration, there’s nothing I did that’s not achievable for most so if people are able to pick parts and use them to make their kids or loved ones birthdays special amongst all this turmoil then that makes me happy!
"My message to others would be to remove yourselves from your usual comfort zones and look outside the box.
"If I’d suggested a kids party to Taylor out of isolation she would’ve thought I was barking! Most kids just want time and attention, it doesn’t need to cost a lot. This has really made me evaluate parties and the importance of family time."
