I’m turning 30 at the end of May and I’ve come to terms with the fact that it isn’t going to be the day I had in mind. The UK is most probably still going to be in a state of quarantine, which means I won’t get to see any family or friends. At first I felt sad, but now I am thinking of ways to make it a special and memorable day with my boys. My birthday woe is small in the grand scheme of what the world is facing right now. But for anyone else approaching a birthday, here are 9 ways to celebrate a birthday during lockdown. There will be plenty of time for belated celebrations when we’re out of self-isolation.
Bake an Indulgent Birthday Cake
Step into your own version of the Great British Bake Off and try your hand at baking a birthday cake. Go as big and as extra as you can! I am going to attempt a red velvet cake as they are my all time favourite. Just plan ahead and try to get all the required ingredients as part of your essential supermarket shop.
Have a Drinks Party with your Family via Video Call
The most gutting part about spending a birthday in isolation is not seeing family or friends. So set a time and invite all your nearest and dearest to join you on a video call. I think Zoom is the best platform for video calls with large groups. Ask your friends to bring a tipple and enjoy a birthday drink with you.
Have a BBQ
If your birthday lands on a spell of good weather, why not plan a BBQ? (only with people in your household of course). It’s one of the Great British summer time activities that we can still do during lockdown.
Do a Treasure Hunt
If you want to make a birthday special for someone else, you could plan a surprise treasure hunt and make them work to find their birthday gift! Plant the clues the night before and give them their starter clue when they wake up on their birthday morning. This is sure to make things memorable.
Dress Up In Something Fancy
If you’ve been living in sweatpants and loungewear for the past few weeks, a birthday is the perfect opportunity to dress up in something nice. It will make the day feel like more of a special occasion.
Play a Soundtrack of All your Favourite Songs
Music has the power to instantly lift your mood, so make your bubble a happy place by playing music throughout the day. You could go one step further and create a birthday playlist.
Go on a Walk with your Household
At present we are allowed to leave the house once a day for exercise and that can be done as a household. Break the day up by getting outside for a local walk and enjoy some fresh air and a little bit of normality.
Make Cocktails
Celebrate the occasion by making your favourite cocktail. This would be a fun afternoon or pre-dinner activity! If you have kids, you could still get the whole family involved and make a virgin version too.
Cook a 3 Course Meal
Seeing as we can’t go out to a restaurant for our birthday, bring the restaurant experience into your home. Plan and cook a three course meal that features all your favourite things (or better yet, let someone else in your household do it for you)
Read more: 13 Travel Shows to Binge-Watch in Isolation
I hope this post will help people to still celebrate and enjoy their birthday at home when they can’t go out. We are living in unprecedented times so although our isolation birthdays may not be what we had in mind, they will certainly be memorable.
What do you think of my 8 Fun Ways to Celebrate a Birthday At Home? Is there anything else I could add to the list? Do you have a birthday coming up? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Jess x
Slider photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash
Cupcake Photo by Haley Owens on Unsplash
I had a March birthday. I’ve still to make a special cake, whip up a margarita and BBQ, etc. My fancy dress up will be shorts and a shirt when the weather warms up next month! I’ll have the tunes on in my backyard and it’ll be a party for one. I’ll really enjoy getting together with friends once we’re able!
Hope your birthday will be fabulous!
Thanks so much Karen! x
That sounds like a really nice day Karen! I hope you get to make up for it with your friends once this is over with x
I hope so, too. I’ve planted alot of backyard flowers, so my friends or just I will enjoy another BBQ. First I have to stain the fence! Think I’ll start this weekend.