The world has changed and we’re unable to give those we love as much as a hug. Our extended family is so important to us and we’re all feeling the distance between us, even though we can chat on the phone, on video calls and meet up if we’re far enough apart. With this ‘new normal’ in place for the foreseeable, how can you celebrate a lockdown birthday?
I Had A Birthday
My birthday was last month and it wasn’t too much different to what I’d usually get up to. My wife and kids gave me presents, made me breakfast in bed and I got up, enjoying a nice long shower. The father in law popped round and stood on the front garden in a superman onesie playing his guitar. My brother and sister in law and nieces came round, stood on the drive and left some beer for me on the doorstep. I didn’t get to see my parents as they live a good 60 miles away. My sister is in Australia so I got a message from her. I also got plenty of messages from friends and loved ones. But what I did miss was that physical contact. There is that obvious ‘elephant in the room’, well not room, but you know what I mean. A lockdown birthday is not much fun.
Kids Birthday Are Important
My birthday is the first one of the year in our family of five. Next up is our baby, who will be one in a couple of weeks. A lockdown birthday for your first birthday. Not quite what we envisioned. His grandparents have already missed so much. He’s walking, his mumbling of noises are starting to be more like words, he’s changed so much since they last saw him in real life. We’d usually have family party. Just like we did for our first two. Their first birthdays were a proper occasion. A big cake, plenty of streamers and banners and lots of family and friends making a fuss. This one will be different. We’re going to make invites like we’d usually do but they’ll be for a zoom party for an hour or so with close family logging on. We’ve thought ahead and ordered gifts in advance to ensure they come in time, not that he really needs much having two older brothers. We’ll be enjoying it and celebrating regardless of what’s going on in the world.
How You Can Celebrate
There are lots of restaurants doing deliveries. So ordering in a contact free takeaway is a great way to celebrate. If you usually go for a night out, order some drinks with your supermarket delivery and have your own party. You can even video chat with your friends whilst you do. Or run a lockdown birthday quiz night. I’ve got a friend in America who is a DJ, and instead of doing his usual club nights, he’s hosting Zoom parties, raising money for charity. Maybe you could use your lockdown birthday to give something back like this? Whatever we’re doing for our birthday, we’ve got our health and happiness which is something to be cherished right now. If you’re celebrating a lockdown birthday during this pandemic, have a wonderful time!
