11 Fun Virtual Birthday Party Ideas You Can Do While Social Distancing
You might be at home, but you can still have a memorable celebration.
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Birthday parties are special. Not only do they mark the passing of another fabulous trip around the sun, but they're also one of the best ways to gather your friends and family for all the festive desserts, cute cocktails, and whimsical decor your heart desires. Obviously, this year is different. Amid our new normal of social distancing, get-togethers both small and large have been called off, leaving many spring babies — plus their parents, partners, and friends — to celebrate at home.
While you may not be able to throw the bash you had planned, there's no reason to skip the festivities altogether. If you or someone you love has a birthday coming up, plan one of these virtual birthday party ideas you can do at home. From sending your friend a delivery of champagne to hosting a party via video chat, there are plenty of ways to make the birthday girl or boy feel loved on their special day. And when this pandemic ends — and it will end — you'll have every excuse to throw the biggest, baddest birthday party of all time.
Send a card.
The easiest way to show your love is with a card. If you don't live close enough to your friend to drop one in their mailbox (no contact required!), send an e-card using a service like Paperless Post.
Make a "Happy Birthday" video montage.
The only way to improve upon a traditional birthday card is to make it interactive. Use a service like Tribute to create a personalized video montage. Ask friends and family to record their birthday wishes and Tribute will put them together and mail the guest of honor a video card (it's like a traditional audio card that also has a thin video screen). The gift is sure to be a keepsake for years to come.
Host a virtual birthday party on Zoom.
Set up a meeting on Zoom and invite all your friends for a virtual happy hour. The video quality on Zoom is impeccable and you can see each participant's face in a simple grid view. Want to make things really special? Tell the guest of honor to sign on at little later than everyone else and sing "Happy Birthday" when they log on.
Deliver champagne to their doorstep.
The two of you may not be able to raise a glass together, but that doesn't mean you can't say "cheers." Nowadays, there are so many ways to deliver champagne, wine, and liquor straight to someone's door. Try a site like ReserveBar, which is available on-demand in many parts of the country.
Host a Netflix party.
If you love movies, schedule a virtual watch party. Download the Netflix Party extension in Chrome, and you and your pals will be able to watch the same Netflix movie at the same time. The extension features synchronized video playback (so everyone's screen will pause and resume at the same time); plus, a chat room so you can share your thoughts on the film.
Send a dessert.
A great way to support your local businesses in these hard times is by ordering delivery. Choose a local bakery or a restaurant with stellar desserts and send something sweet like a cake, cookies, or fro-yo.
Do a group workout — at home.
If you prefer active birthday parties to boozy ones, gather your friends for a workout class. During the coronavirus outbreak, dozens of yoga studios, gyms, and trainers are offering free live-streaming workouts. Have everyone log on to the same one and connect on Zoom for a hearty meal afterward. Brunch, anyone?
RELATED: 25+ Live-Stream Workouts You Can Do for Free During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Drive by their house and do something special.
Just because you're social distancing doesn't mean you can't go to someone's house. Deck out your car with balloons and signs and drive by your pal's place. Tell them to look outside and sing "Happy Birthday" when they come to the door.
Take a trip to the museum.
Birthdays are the perfect time to learn something new. Museums, zoos, and theme parks around the world are offering free virtual tours right now, which means you can see exhibits at the Louvre, the Vatican, the San Diego Zoo, and more from the comfort of your couch. Set up a group chat while you navigate the exhibits and discuss your findings.
RELATED: Here's a Massive List of Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours
Write them a song.
If you're musically inclined, write your friend a song and present it to them via video chat. Even if your song isn't incredible (or on key), it's the thought that counts. If your entire group is artsy, have everyone log on to the chat with something they've created for the birthday boy or girl. It could be a song, a poem, a speech, a dance, or a piece of art.
Get glam.
Just because you're celebrating your birthday at home doesn't mean you have to do so in your PJs. Set a theme for your virtual party and have everyone go all out. Possible themes could be Hollywood glam, rock 'n' roll, '90s, or masks and mimosas — the options are endless!
Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years' of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader's Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.
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