With the pandemic in full swing, it’s hard to imagine life without it. (on my phone — because I’m a millennial mom) I say, “Wow, was that last year?” For years we feel like we are in our own little “Twilight Zone” world. For years!
But now that our children are finally back in school, the world seems to be slowly changing. normal Again, it’s time to talk about the one thing we missed the most. Birthday party!
Still, while it’s exciting to think I’ll finally have more friends this year to throw a “proper” party for my daughter’s 10th birthday, one question remains. How do you throw a safe birthday party during a pandemic while making sure you’re still having fun?
I have some ideas of my own.But I’ve also spoken to a few moms who have hosted birthday parties over the past few months to see what others are up to. “I just don’t have,” Our kids have had enough and need this victory! They deserve a cool-ass birthday party to celebrate surviving this year at home with us . or not.
The last few months have not been easy for us, so the kids should at least be happy with their birthdays, right?
Here’s how to throw a safe birthday party for your kids during the pandemic.
Tip #1: Keep your guest list as small as possible.
Now might not be the time to invite the whole class.
(This shouldn’t even be a problem as many kids haven’t really connected with someone long enough to make what they consider “friends” thanks to going to school virtually last year. .)
However, keeping your guest list as small as possible can reduce the risk of children or party guests contracting COVID-19. Hell, it might even minimize your anxiety levels. not.
I have never thrown a big party for my daughter (now 9).
(However, it still costs a lot of money, as I will do my best for her and 3-4 friends.)
But your child will actually get to play with their friends instead of being yanked, pushed, and pulled in all directions as their friends fight for attention from the birthday child. .
So keep your guest list small and invite 3-5 friends you absolutely love. I count my cousins too.
Tip 2: Check in with other parents to see how they are coping with the pandemic.
yes! I am asking you to snoop! PRY, PRY, PRY!
However, if you’ve followed Tip 1, you already know how things are going.
But if you’re not talking to your child’s best friend’s parents on a regular basis, you’ll have no problem seeing how they’re coping with the pandemic.
I mean, sure you want to invite them to hang, but if they don’t wear masks religiously themselves, do they wear masks at parties? More importantly, what are they exposed to? Is there a possibility that
At this point, we have to do what’s best for our kids and families, so asking a few questions to find out how they are staying safe with masks is a problem. not.
If that matters, they’re probably just not ready to hang up right now, and that’s fine. For someone you want to say Happy Birthday to but can’t meet in person, you can perfectly set up a Zoom call.
However, before inviting children over, have a conversation with their parents to see how they feel and if it’s okay to see them in person.
It’s as simple as: We do everything we can to make it a fun and safe time for children. May I ask you a few questions about how you’ve been coping lately? “
Then ask how they’ve adapted to wearing a mask outdoors, whether they’ve traveled, and how they’re doing in general. But I still want to know where they are.
So don’t just interrogate them.
and for love (God you serve, universe, etc.), don’t assume kids can hang out. No matter what you see on social media!
It’s 2021 and a whole-ass pandemic is underway. To make things easier for everyone, including yourself, just ask! And don’t take anything personal Please give me.
Tip 3: Individualize everything, especially food.
Even if you only have a few children, you want to share as little germs as possible.
So no buffet! Personalize everything! Everyone has their own cups, bowls, and plates with their name on them, which can also serve as cool party favors later, right?
Now, I’m not saying go out and spend a fortune on these items.
Don’t think of wedding personalization here. Think kids can personalize their items with stickers, metal sharpies, name tags, and other inexpensive ways. Hell, you can even go to your nearest 99 cent her store, or Target, and pick up some cheap colored cups, bowls, and plates, so everyone can have their own color-coded items.
And you can serve them individually rather than having your kids self-serve and take whatever they want.
One person serving food is much better than four or five kids touching, scooping, and reaching for everything on the table.
Tip 4: Don’t blow out the candle.
Even before the pandemic, researchers were testing whether blowing out candles during a birthday party could erupt bacteria on the cake, according to this Thrillist article.[And] A Clemson University study published in the Journal of Food Research found that blowing out the candles resulted in 1,400% more bacteria in the icing of a birthday cake compared to not blowing out the candles.
Normally this is nothing to worry about.
“But if someone does get Covid, say an asymptomatic child, blowing out a candle when people are gathering, virus particles can be expelled. That’s not the risk you want to take. No, so it’s a good idea to come up with an alternative to blowing out the candles.”
Follow Tip 3 to pick a cupcake cake and have the birthday child blow out one of the candles on his cupcake. Or do you want to ditch your birthday candles altogether and make a wish another day?
Tip 5: Wear a mask.
If you don’t have small gatherings inside, or if you do, it doesn’t matter if everyone wears a mask.
Of course, you need a break to get some fresh air. A series of exciting events is uninterrupted in hopes of tiring the kids out and cramming a lot of fun into one party, but not this time.
And if you’re crafty or have the money to spare, you can even get cute masks for kids to match your party’s theme. Because we’ll continue to wear masks, in a few months we’ll be thinking about how great one pandemic birthday party was.
Remember – being vaccinated does not make you immune! Therefore, guests who have been vaccinated must wear masks even if everyone else is required to do so.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Be This Parent!
Don’t lie to your parents about what your party will be like! please! But please don’t.
10 cool bum birthday party ideas from real moms who celebrated with their kids during the pandemic
Rent an ice cream truck for the drive-by parade or go “glamping.”
“Last year, when my son turned 4, I attended a drive-by parade and rented a local ice cream truck to buy ice cream for passers-by. [my daughter] I want to go to a glamping (electric tent) campsite on weekends [for her 10th birthday]– Monica Blair Stevenson, Atlanta, GA
Offer a cute board, “babymosas”, and let your 1-year-old enjoy self-care.
“This weekend we had a 1st birthday party. Due to the pandemic, we wanted to do something cute and small. Self Care Day for 1 year olds included Baby Mosa (personalized champagne sippy cups with fruit). Infused water), a toquetry board, and a masseuse. [in] Demonstrate baby massage with baby and mother.
The babies all wore satin hats (because towels aren’t good for curls). Details are my favorite. There were four mom and baby pairs with her and a masseuse. – Nicole McCrimmon, Bowie, MD
Host a virtual paint party, play laser tag with friends, or try a DIY ‘drive-in’ movie.
“When my oldest son turned 10, we had a virtual paint party. I bought all the supplies and delivered them to her friends, and last year we had a Zoom call with everyone. Five girls. So I found a pre-recorded virtual class on YouTube, the girls loved it and the pictures turned out so cute!
This year my son turned 10 (this was always his big sleepover birthday). He has one friend’s family that he does things with, so he invited their crew. Backyard laser tag, hot dogs and s’mores bonfires. [Plus]a night filled with Nintendo Switches, and they played with friends in the neighborhood.
Before Covid, we had a drive-in party, built cardboard box cars for 10 of our childhood best friends, and watched a “drive-in” movie. My big kids ran the concession stand and all the kids sat in their cars and watched movies. It was amazing and all the parents were impressed. – Stacey Hammond, Cumming, GA
Rent a movie theater for a private show — may be cheaper than you think.
“I rented a movie theater this weekend to put on a private show of ‘Shang-Chi’ for my sons (ages 11 and 14). AMC still requires guests to wear masks, so everyone wore masks when not eating or drinking.” – Karen Hefren, Tucson, Arizona
Add a *ahem* health twist to your “regular” backyard party — Vaccine only please.
“In June my son turned 2 and we had an outdoor party with a few close friends and their kids. We had a great time playing with [so] 10 adults [and] 6 children. – Kendra Loven Darr, Seattle, Washington
If you love to travel, celebrate at a theme park.
“We went to Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark in January, booked 3 rooms and had a small party in one of the rooms to celebrate my daughter’s 8th birthday. We took the kids to the indoor water park, but it was completely empty due to the season. – Shirley Eliza Martinez, New York, NY
Bonus idea: Host a hotel sleepover.
years ago, before covid, I threw my daughter on her first sleepover at a hotel. She had to invite her 3 friends and they offered us a room in her 2 bedroom hotel her suite. The girls slept in matching pajamas and got a princess dress to wear to the “Princess Breakfast” the next morning. I enjoyed it so much that I also did a manicure and a facial before reading bedtime stories and sending them to bed.
But remember, whatever you do, the most important thing is keeping your family safe. So do what works best for your family! And if that means hanging out with the family and ordering takeout, that’s fine too!
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