Celebrating During Social Distancing: 10 Party Ideas To Try
We’ve been talking about to celebrate during social distancing, so we’re going to explore other ways that can make anyone feel loved on their big day. Keep reading and check out these 10 party ideas to help with celebrating during social distancing, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary and everything in between.
Send a Card (Virtual or Snail-Mail)
The easiest way to show some love is with a card. If you are fortunate to have family and friends who have cards and stamps on hand, who doesn’t love to receive and open mail? Psst…sign up for Hallmark Crown Rewards and getting free shipping on cards.
E-card services like Paperless Post, my personal choice, and Hallmark have a variety of options to send an online greeting.
Send Flowers
Reach out to family and friends and invite them to each send a bouquet of flowers to the celebrant. Fill the whole kitchen or bedroom with them as a surprise.
Organize a Pandemic Parade
I am in all shades of love with actress Cree Summer’s brilliant way to honor her daughter’s 9th birthday with a pandemic parade! If your city doesn’t have specific restrictions, invite local family and friends to drive by your house, decked out with balloons and signs, and deliver those well-wishes in style!
Deliver a Birthday In A Box
Remember my Birthday In A Box? A few simple decoration ideas can help lift up the mood. Whether you are celebrating with your fellow quarantined or decor for a virtual party backdrop, check out how much fun you can create…
Send Dessert
There are online retailers, like Harry & David, (sidebar, did you know you can have them send you Cinnabon®?) that specialize baked goods that can be shipped directly. From cakes of every form, from pop to cheese, cookies, and everything in between, nothing says Happy Birthday like sweets.
Tour The World From Your Couch
Museums, zoos, and theme parks around the world are offering free virtual tours, and what better time to learn something new? Stroll through the Guggenheim or check out the Collection Online featuring over 1,700 artworks by more than 625 artists. Check out the 360-degree room-by-room tour of every exhibit in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Here’s a great list of places with virtual tours. A virtual tour is a fun way to plan for a possible birthday trip next year.
Have a digital party
Zoom, FaceTime, HouseParty, Google Hangouts…pick your poison and host a digital party. Celebrate a special friend by gathering friends together to celebrate online. Have the guest of honor sign on at little later than everyone else and sing “Happy Birthday” when he or she log on.
Set a theme for your virtual party and have everyone dress up and go all out. From Hollywood glam, Rockin’ 80s, or wearing the celebrant’s favorite colors — the options are endless!
Dinner and a Virtual Movie Night
Social streaming is all the rage and Netflix Party is king! Schedule a Girls’ Night In and have a virtual movie night. Download the Netflix Party extension in Chrome, and everyone 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 for bathroom and snack breaks); plus, a chat room so everyone can share their thoughts on the film.
Check out this website for great dinner/movie pairings; send drink/food recipes out to everyone a week or so before so they have time to put in their delivery orders for what they need. My personal fave, Mean Girls with “Gretchen Weiners”.
Crafting Together
This is a great idea for a tween/teen party. Prior to a virtual hangout, send all your teen’s friends a kit to make a fun craft together from friendship bracelets to pillows and create them together
Dance Party U.S.A.
Whether you’re solo or quarantining with someone else—there’s always time for a dance party. Check out Spotify for themed quarantine playlists or put your own together….here are a few gems to inspire you:
- Toxic – Britney Spears
- Don’t Stand So Close To Me – The Police
- Work From Home – Fifth Harmony
- U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer
- I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
- It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) – R.E.M
- My House – Flo Rida
- Too Close – Next
- All The Small Things – blink-182
Billboard has also released a list of live streams and virtual concerts being hosted during the COVID-19 crisis. Put one on and rock out to the celebrant’s favorite artist!
This is only 10 party ideas, there are so many creative ways to celebrate during social distancing; have other celebration ideas to share? Leave a comment, we would love to hear!
