As we publish this, we're about to board the Freedom of the Seas cruise ship in the Mediterranean, but we don't have much to tell you about it all yet. Instead, we'll tell you about Peter's son Robin's 30th birthday celebration last Friday. What a surprise party! Let's put it this way: Robin suspected absolutely nothing.
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Secrecy
It takes a lot of secrecy to organise a surprise party for someone's birthday. Robin's wife Alexandra started a secret FB group a month or so before the big day and we planned it together.
To keep Robin in the dark, we let him think that he and Alexandra were organising a simple afternoon party for the immediate family on Saturday. In fact, everyone was planning a big party on Friday evening...
The big day
Because Robin really wouldn't suspect anything, Alexandra baked cakes for the imaginary afternoon party on Thursday. On Friday, she thought: "Everything is set for Saturday, why don't we call Peter and Helena and see if they want to do something tonight?"
Robin took the bait and when he called, Peter thought, "Why not? Come over here and we'll buy you some bubbly at the restaurant K4 here in the marina!". Said and done. Robin and Alexandra came over and Robin thought: "It's so fun that you say yes and can be so spontaneous!" He just had to know ...
A real surprise party
Once we'd finished the bubbly, we suggested we move on to dinner at the Frog Sea restaurant. But that was just an excuse to pass by the party venue we had rented, where everyone was lined up to welcome the main character of the party... As we approached, everyone looked at Robin excitedly, but he was so intent on having dinner at Grodhavet that we came to see him. really close before he realised what was happening... Talk about a surprise!
Mingle and dinner
Peter's niece Dessi is a fantastic cook, even for many people. (She has impressed us in the past with incredible menus for the likes of Christmas, new year and weddings.) So we felt completely calm when we learnt that Dessi would be doing the cooking. And what food!
First, we were treated to a small selection of bubbly: crusts with paprika-spiced soft cheese and slices of seafood stir-fry or sun-dried tomato stir-fry. Among other things. Then it was time for a buffet dinner. I can't list everything, but we were offered salad with beetroot and pine nuts, prosciutto, pulled pork, grilled chicken drumsticks, root vegetable salad, cheeses and bread with different mixes.
Film screening and party with DJ
Peter had been asked to put together a "little slide show" with pictures from Robin's life. Of course, it was more of a film with music and cut-in pictures and texts ...! Then it was time for the party to start. As you can see, the main character of the party (Robin aka DJ Eldin) was the DJ for the evening. And you should definitely not feel sorry for him because he got this task - it is behind the mixer table he is most comfortable at a party! Congratulations again Robin!
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Mr Steve says:
What a wonderful and memorable surprise.
30 years, great times.
Congratulations in retrospect Robin!
03 September 2017 - 7:07
Helena says:
Very fun to surprise! ?
03 September 2017 - 9:05
Lena - good for the soul says:
But wow! How funny that he was so surprised. So cool with him flying from the USA!
Have a continued wonderful cruise!
Hug Lena
03 September 2017 - 7:32
Helena says:
He was really surprised, it took a few minutes for the token to fall down ?
03 September 2017 - 9:06
LinizTravel says:
Wow what a thing!!! Soooo much fun!!!! Have a nice trip! Hugs
03 September 2017 - 8:30
Helena says:
A lot of fun, and a lot of preparation? And thank you, now let's cruise! ?
03 September 2017 - 9:06
Kenneth Risberg says:
Awesome, hope you enjoyed the German bubbly!
03 September 2017 - 8:32
Helena says:
Absolutely! The bubbly tasted great and was perfect for the party ???
03 September 2017 - 9:07
Lennart says:
What a party!!!!!
03 September 2017 - 9:09
Helena says:
Yeees!!! ?
03 September 2017 - 11:15
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
What a wonderful and cleverly planned surprise! There is love shining on this post. <3
How similar they are by the way, Peter and Robin. 🙂
03 September 2017 - 9:22
Helena says:
There was a lot of planning so that he wouldn't suspect anything! And yes, people say they are similar ?
03 September 2017 - 11:15
Ruth in Virginia says:
Well done and incredible co-operation between the "tricksters".
And the FOOD! How can ONE person cook so many dishes?
Impressive - and as Anna, New York says:
Robin is almost a clone of Peter. 🙂
Swedes know how to celebrate even birthdays.
03 September 2017 - 10:12
Helena says:
Dessa is amazing when it comes to food! She did get some practical help on the actual day D, but she is the one who planned everything and was responsible for everything.
03 September 2017 - 11:17
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
Haha, Ruth, I was wondering the same thing: how one person could cook so many dishes. 🙂
03 September 2017 - 15:05
JoY says:
That's the fun of surprises and planning.
Congratulations to Robin
Hugs
03 September 2017 - 10:24
Helena says:
It is true! It's been a lot of fun, and a lot of people involved! ?
03 September 2017 - 11:18
Ditte says:
What a great party! And it's great that Robin didn't suspect anything at all. And parties of this kind are so much fun, both to plan and to participate in them. Definitely memorable for all of you.
Wishing you a great trip!
03 September 2017 - 11:18
Helena says:
It was fun to plan and participate in a surprise party! Many details to think about ?
03 September 2017 - 11:59
Emma, sun like sun? says:
That seems to have been a successful party - from start to finish! Congratulations to Robin but also congratulations to everyone who managed to make the party so successful.
03 September 2017 - 11:39
Helena says:
It certainly felt successful! Thanks for your comment and greeting! ?
03 September 2017 - 12:00
Annette says:
What a thoughtful and certainly very appreciated surprise! For a while there were big parties very often, when the circle of friends turned thirty and then all the wedding parties. Then it stopped, and the big parties became couples' dinners 😉 Except at Christmas, when we usually have at least fifteen to twenty people here with us. So, thanks for the links to the Christmas menu in particular! There I got inspiration for some new things on our Christmas table, including the baked red cabbage cooked in mulled wine and the bacon-wrapped dates. Great table setting too! I also usually drag home spruce and juniper branches to set the table and decorate with. But now I have to give in, the Christmas nerd that I am, I float away immediately 😉.
03 September 2017 - 14:15
BP says:
Absolutely superb! You succeeded 100 per cent! Good work there!
Then, as usual, I agree with Ruth - how Dessi managed to cook all by herself for so many people is a mystery to me. She is really incredibly talented. Oh yes, there are "some" similarities between Robin and Peter;-)
Congratulations to the birthday boy afterwards!
03 September 2017 - 15:28
Husis blog says:
Such parties usually turn out so well. To be able to "cheat" in this way probably requires a woman and a man, but what fun it must have been for the birthday boy when he really realises that everyone is here just for me.
03 September 2017 - 16:02
Anette says:
It's great that he had no idea and what a party it was.
Great!
03 September 2017 - 18:28
Deciree says:
Ohhhh that's what's so fun - to be surprised... He looks like he had a great time, like the rest of you... Congratulations from us to Robin☺️.
03 September 2017 - 23:29
Ama de casa says:
WOW - again! What a successful trick! Well done and congratulations to Robin!
I remember when we made a surprise party for my cousin when she turned 40. Soooo hard not to be insured! "Don't mention the war" (a la Fawlty Towers) applied to everyone. Nikki then said that she thought it was strange that people kind of stopped getting in touch before? Haha! Nobody wanted to be the one to spoil the surprise, and she was surprised 😀.
What a great party you organised!
04 September 2017 - 0:24
Christine - 29°. says:
But what fun! Talk about surprise and successful evening! 🙂
04 September 2017 - 16:54
Mr Adam says:
My mum and dad know Robin Eldin
24 November 2020 - 10:38