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Original poster

How many people have had their last two birthdays during lockdown?

80 replies

Fhee · 29/01/2022 18:57

I can’t remember when all the lockdowns have been. I have an April birthday and both of my last two birthdays have been in full lockdown. I am wondering how big a deal to make of the one coming up 😄

OP posts:
CoodleMoodle · 30/01/2022 12:17

Late April for me, and DH early May. 2020 birthdays were in full lockdown (spent them in the garden with the DC). 2021 we did see DM because she was in our bubble. I think MIL dropped our cards off as well, last year.

DD's birthday is early March, her 2020 birthday (and small party) was the week before lockdown. 2021 we had DM over, but no party.

DS's birthday is early July, his 2020 birthday we had DM over, 2021 we had DM and MIL. (He's not had a party yet, but he's only 3.5.)

DaisyWaldron · 30/01/2022 12:21

I have an April birthday, too. Tbh, I loved my birthday last year - I had my best friends over in my garden for a fabulous Ottoleghi-inspired feast, and I might well do the same again this year with a couple more guests and the possibility of moving indoors in bad weather.

amusedbush · 30/01/2022 12:48

@Kite22

I think most have us have had both birthdays "with restrictions" if not full lockdown. Remember there was a long time when some of us were in higher tiers than others, and even during - say Aug 20 when we were being positively encourage to "Eat out to Help out", it was still under restrictions, not a free for all.
My mum has an August birthday so has been able to go out for dinner with (a limited number of) other households and go away on a self-catering holiday in the UK for her last two birthdays.

We have all been affected by the restrictions at some point but that's definitely not the same as my 30th birthday where I was only allowed out of my house for exercise once a day. DH and I were supposed to fly out on holiday that morning but it was obviously cancelled so the best I could do for a milestone birthday was Papa John's pizza and a mail order cake. Both eaten in my pyjamas. Especially galling as my dad had had a huge family blowout lasting four days at the end of February 2020 for his 60th Sad

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Events & celebrations
BogRollBOGOF · 30/01/2022 13:30

DS2 came of worst in our family. His 7th was deepest lockdown in April 2020. It felt daring to go to the local supermarket to buy popcorn for our "cinema afternoon" (sitting in bed watching DVDs on TV).

2021, he did better with his 8th as it was the day restrictions eased so we were able to book for the family to go to a farm. A party still wasn't viable, not least because falling behind in a 2 tier education system meant he was back to rebuilding friendships after his friends carried on in school while he was trapped at home denied a legal right to see his peers. There were also issues of being secure in making plans, outdoors only and peoples' confidence in meeting up prior to vaccinations.

He got to invite friends to DS1's party at Christmas.

SilverHairedCat · 30/01/2022 13:36

Both DH and I had our 40ths in lockdowns. Not sure what we'll do, seems pointless to have a party 2 years later.

Original poster
Fhee · 30/01/2022 16:50

@FarmCat31

It’ll be my second lockdown birthday tomorrow Wine
Where do you live?
OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/01/2022 17:28

Happy birthday @FarmCat31

AffIt · 30/01/2022 17:45

Me! I also have an April birthday and am in Scotland, so we were in full lockdown last April - I think Wales and NI were too, not sure about England.

Looking forward to actually DOING something this year, although I'm aware I may now have jinxed it... Grin

SilverGlassHare · 30/01/2022 17:47

Me! I also have an April birthday. Though it’s at the end of April so I think last year I could go for lunch in a pub garden.

whenwillthemadnessend · 30/01/2022 17:50

Missed a big one but as feb birthday just missed the first lockdown

Fatherliamdeliverance · 30/01/2022 17:52

Me! One totally locked down in the garden and one rule of 6 outside. Luckily the weather was glorious for both!

itsacovidxmasone · 30/01/2022 17:53

My milestone birthday was pretty much the first day of lockdown, late March birthday here. Last year was similarly lame! Don't really care anymore Grin

miltonj · 30/01/2022 17:57

Not me, I have a July birthday and even with local lockdowns in the northwest it didn't effect my birthday. I think In July 2020 everything was relaxing. We went away to Windermere, and July 2021, I can't remember any particular restrictions.

RuthTopp · 30/01/2022 18:01

I think most people have had 2 covid birthdays ! Dh and I had a significant birthday last year , and basically spent it indoors just the 2 of us because he is cev and we are being extra cautious.

miltonj · 30/01/2022 18:02

Sorry, wasn't bragging! Was just thinking about it. My 2020 wedding got cancelled so it wasn't all win win for me.

Original poster
Fhee · 30/01/2022 18:04

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/timeline-coronavirus-lockdown-december-2021.pdf

Just out of interest.

So anyone with a birthday between 23-29th March will have had two full lockdown proper birthdays. From 29th March to 12th April and you’d have been able to have 6 people in your garden, after that you could have sat outside at a pub or restaurant for your second covid birthday.

Pretty narrow windows for two sucky birthdays!

This is also ignoring local lockdowns of course.

OP posts:
LuaDipa · 30/01/2022 18:06

I’ve had the previous two in lockdown, as have my dh and kids. I also asked for no fuss for a ‘big’ birthday in 2019 as we were moving and just had two much on our plate. At the time I thought I had a full year to celebrate and lots of lovely things were planned that were then cancelled when Covid hit. No idea what I’ll do this year but the kids will both be having a huge party as they have missed so much.

LuaDipa · 30/01/2022 18:07

*too much

therighttime12 · 30/01/2022 18:17

@Fhee

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/timeline-coronavirus-lockdown-december-2021.pdf

Just out of interest.

So anyone with a birthday between 23-29th March will have had two full lockdown proper birthdays. From 29th March to 12th April and you’d have been able to have 6 people in your garden, after that you could have sat outside at a pub or restaurant for your second covid birthday.

Pretty narrow windows for two sucky birthdays!

This is also ignoring local lockdowns of course.

Yes the window for 2 actual full lockdown birthdays is quite narrow, yes things weren't normal for other dates but not full lockdown.
Kite22 · 30/01/2022 18:28

This is also ignoring local lockdowns of course.

But that is pretty important for those who have been in higher tiers.
Also those who would normally see parents or adult dc but couldn't, etc.

AffIt · 30/01/2022 18:31

From 29th March to 12th April and you’d have been able to have 6 people in your garden, after that you could have sat outside at a pub or restaurant for your second covid birthday.

We don't do a lot of sitting outside in Scotland in March/April... Grin

nansbigpants · 30/01/2022 18:40

I did- but actually really enjoyed them. There was really good weather for the first so had a BBQ and drinks in the garden with dh, DC and dog. The DC baked a fab cake. Second spent the day watching films and takeaway in the evening.

This is exactly what I would choose every year if I could- but usually extended family want to do something for me and it seems incredibly ungrateful to say no, and DC often have other things going on.

The experience has made me realise that for my next milestone birthday I don't want a party- just a weekend away somewhere nice with DH and the DC.

I feel really sorry for younger people who had the same experience though- when I was young and single spending 2 birthdays locked in with my parents would have felt like a punishment

amusedbush · 30/01/2022 18:41

@Fhee

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/timeline-coronavirus-lockdown-december-2021.pdf

Just out of interest.

So anyone with a birthday between 23-29th March will have had two full lockdown proper birthdays. From 29th March to 12th April and you’d have been able to have 6 people in your garden, after that you could have sat outside at a pub or restaurant for your second covid birthday.

Pretty narrow windows for two sucky birthdays!

This is also ignoring local lockdowns of course.

Yeah, I’m in Scotland so our lockdowns lasted longer than England. Plus Glasgow’s numbers were bad so we were in Tier 4 most of the time, meaning I couldn’t travel to see my family in Edinburgh even when they were free to move around.
FizzyBiscuits · 30/01/2022 18:43

DC had 1 a few days after lockdown 1, DC's badly in 2021 was in isolation. Absolutely hope they get a decent birthday this year. When you're a kid, that's a big portion of your b'days stuck inside with just household members.

VetOnCall · 30/01/2022 18:45

Me, also April!