Birthday parties are special. Not only do they mark the passage of another wonderful trip around the sun, but the best way to gather your friends and family for all the festive desserts, pretty cocktails, and whimsical decorations your heart desires. It’s also one of the.. obviously not this year. In our new normal of social distancing, gatherings big and small have been canceled, leaving many spring babies and their parents, partners and friends to celebrate at home.
You may not be able to throw the bash you’ve planned, but there’s no reason to skip the festivities altogether. Plan one of our party ideas. From delivering champagne to friends to hosting a party over video chat, there are so many ways to make the birthday girl or boy feel loved on their special day. .And when this pandemic ends, and it intention Finally — you can make every excuse to throw the biggest and worst birthday party ever.
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Create a “Happy Birthday” video montage.
The only way to improve a traditional birthday card is to make it interactive. Create personalized video montages using services like Tribute. Ask friends and family to record their birthday wishes, and Tribute will put them together and mail you a video card (like a traditional audio card with a thin video screen). This gift is sure to be remembered for years to come.
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Host a virtual birthday party on Zoom.
Set up a meeting on Zoom and invite all your friends for a virtual happy hour. Zoom’s video quality is impeccable, and you can see each participant’s face in a simple grid view. Want something really special? Tell the guest of honor to sign on a little later than everyone else and sing “Happy Birthday” as they log on.
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We deliver champagne to your door.
You may not be able to raise a glass together, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “cheers”. Today there are many ways to get champagne, wine and liqueurs delivered directly to someone’s door. Try sites like ReserveBar, which are available on demand in many parts of the country.
If you love movies, schedule a virtual watch party. Download the Netflix Party extension for Chrome and you and your buddy can watch the same Netflix movie at the same time. This extension features synchronized video playback (so everyone’s screens are paused and resumed at the same time). Additionally, there is a chat room where you can share your thoughts on movies.
Related: 25 best romantic movies on Netflix that you will love
A great way to support local businesses during this difficult time is to order delivery. Send cakes, cookies, froyo and other sweet treats by choosing a local bakery or restaurant that serves great desserts.
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Do a group workout at home.
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Drive them home and do something special.
Just because you’re practicing social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t go to someone’s house. Decorate your car with balloons and signs and drive by your friend’s house. Tell them to look outside and sing “Happy Birthday” when they come to the door.
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Please visit the museum.
Birthdays are a great time to learn something new. Museums, zoos and theme parks around the world now offer free virtual tours. This means you can see exhibits from the Louvre, Vatican Museums, San Diego Zoo and more from the comfort of your sofa. Set up a group chat to discuss your findings as you navigate the exhibits.
Related: Here’s a huge list of museums, zoos, and theme parks that offer virtual tours.
If you’re interested in music, write a song for your friend and give it to them via video chat. Even if your song isn’t great (or not), it’s the idea that matters. If the whole group is artistic, use the one you made for the birthday boy or girl and have everyone log on to the chat. It can be a song, a poem, a speech, a dance, or a work of art.
Just because you’re celebrating your birthday at home doesn’t mean you have to celebrate in your pajamas. Set the theme for your virtual party and let everyone have a blast. Possible themes include Hollywood Glamour, Rock and Roll, 90’s, or Masks and Mimosas. The options are endless.
Juliana LaBianca
Juliana is a writer, editor, and SEO strategist with over six years of experience on the editorial staff of publications such as Reader’s Digest, Best Life, and Good Housekeeping.
