to think just because its lockdown doesn't mean you can forget birthdays

[pheasanteggs]

Parents and siblings announced that they're not sending anything this year. Siblings too. DP says we will do something for my birthday after lockdown.

As a creative person I think birthdays can be extra special during lockdown. Birthdays should be celebrated. Here are ideas on how to make someones birthday special during a lockdown for anyone who needs ideas

-Make an incredibly ambitious cake together, finding creative inspiration online

• treasure hunt involving clues leading to a gift
• beautiful walk with whoever you are self-isolating with
• picnic at home in the garden
• decorate the kitchen with lots of birthday signs
• birthday music
• games night with friends and family online over video chat
• With kids its easier, kids party games, musical statues and musical bumps
• Moon pig and other online card companies if you can't leave the house
• Many online gift companies are still operating
• Movie night with popcorn
• 3 course fancy meal with decorated table
• buy a kit and make cocktails, soap
• hang a sign from your window 'Happy birthday X'

If you're lucky enough to have a garden or have kids it's easier.

@GoatsDoRome happy birthday when it comes!

We had a hotel and a night out booked at the weekend that had to be cancelled. I hear you 😔

Aw I know birthdays are like not cool on mumsnet and adults shouldn’t Really be bothered to celebrate etc etc just a tasteful card from your dp and a casual but expensive eco friendly gift is all you should need (lol) but my family make a big deal of birthdays and it horrible to not be able to celebrate properly !

I have done Moonpig card and gifts (chocolate, gin and sweetie jars) and Bloom & Wild bouquets (letterbox bouquets) for the birthdays we have had. Plus sending videos of my kid singing happy birthday and playing her ukulele 😬

Probably be shot for buying non essentials but it’s totally contact free and Moonpig assure you that their workers are kept protected.

It's my daughters 1st birthday soon and I am devastated that she wont even get a cake at this rate, we've had a really crappy year. My birthdays soon after hers as well and I must admit I am a bit annoyed that it's going to be rubbish because I didn't get a birthday last year either because I was recovering from major surgery...but definitely 100000x more disappointed about my daughters obviously.

@TwoZeroTwoZero Christ who's pissed in your cornflakes?

@cinderellassecrets why don’t you order a cake from Betty’s Tearoom? And some other little treats and have a little tea party ? They’re not delivering new orders until after Easter though not sure when your dd’s bday is ?

You can then take the obligatory naked buy covered in cake 1st Birthday pics !

Party hats and bunting also available on amazon.

if you have the means to support someone you loves' birthday I encourage you to make the effort. You may be the only one who does this year and will probably make their birthday. For me birthdays are very important, and I will always be the one there to make that person feel special. If anyone needs ideas I am happy to provide.

If you really want to you can get around constraints to make someones birthday special.

@choc71 I think those are lovely ideas, and he will feel really special. I think decorations go along way. A happy birthday sign of you can get your hands on one and a cake. You could also ask his mates and family to each record a 30s happy birthday message and string them together into a video.

@Hadjab have you thought about chocolate crispy cakes? no flour is needed.

@frazzledasarock that is very sweet of you and it will probably make her day.

I'm going to make my own afternoon tea. Not sure how I'm going to make cake but we do have plain flour.

My last birthday was shit. So I promised myself this year would be better. So I am making sure it will be. Money and effort doesn't have to be a factor.

It was DH birthday recently and we didnt do anything.
In part because my mind was busy with other worries.
In part because I dindt have the time, the spare energy to look for ideas, order them and hope this will come on time.
Also because as a SE, my worries were with my job and how I would have no income at all and very little to get back to when we are out of it.
MIL gave a card to DH when he went to see them and some money "because she couldn't think of anything else during these times'
SIL didnt send a card because that meant going out for a non essential outing.

Basically, not everyone is creative. People are busy with other worries. And expecting a b'day party with 3 course meal etc... in the middle of a lockdown is well... meh. aka it would only be possible if you are not self isolating/having symtoms/happy to go out for more than one trip to the shops and you can actually find all the ingredients you want.
I could understand a child to be dispapointed. An adult, I would expect you to just get on with it and realise these are not normal circumstances and a birthday party/present/acknowledgement is quite low on the list of 'essentials'

@CinderellasSecrets crispy cakes, or flourless chocolate cakes. Even a ready made cake mix from he super market where you just add eggs. Your daughter will love it and wouldn't notice the difference from a professionally made

pheasanteggs

How do we make a fuss over a birthday when you are miles from the birthday person?

I'd love nothing more than to make a big deal about my daughter's 21st. Can't wait for your ideas.

@chillicheese123 ooh ive not heard of Betty's tearoom, I'll have a look thank you :) I'm trying to find her some presents online but the ones I was going to get are out of stock or not delivering now.

@questionmarknow

I understand not doing a special meal or gifts or even a home made card but to be so consumed by worry that I couldn’t even acknowledge my DP’s birthday... I don’t think that’s normal at all and I don’t think you should have to live like that indefinitely

Dh’s birthday is in a month and I’m already working on acquiring the ingredients for his desired birthday treat. We have to plan ahead more than normal, but celebrations are definitely still happening in our family.

thank you @WhentheRabbitsWentWild my first happy birthday I have received this year so far!

If you really want to you can get around constraints to make someones birthday special.

You see, that sort of comment mplies that if people dont make someone's b;day special its because they havent tried hard enough.
It puts unnecessary pressure on people imo and doesnt take into account the pressure some peope will be under.
All easy if you are at home NOT working, on full pay or furlough, with no money issue.
Also easy when your time isnt already taken over with worrying about a special someone who is much more at risk, dealing with one person self isolating in the house etc...
Basicaly all possible when you are in a very priviledge position. Not so much when you were relying on food banks before the lockdown and are wondering how you are going to cope with the next 2~3 months for example.

My kids have both had their birthdays. Adults can forget it, it's not essential and there are more important things to think about (like staying well and getting basic food supplies in including to elderly relatives.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras my friends family recently did a family quiz with a really funny family friend being the quizmaster, over zoom, for their sons 30th. It incorporated a bit of a drinking game but you don’t have to do alcohol if you don’t drink. It was questions all about the sons life and things he had got up to. They all shared their fave memories of him up to now. Was funny by the looks of the screen shots!

She sent him his favourite alcohol, amazon vouchers and a chocolate hamper, all contact free delivery.

I wouldn’t expect cards and gifts from other relatives but definitely wouldn’t ignore my DC’s birthday, that’s just cruel.

Homemade cards- no need for any delivery.

I am sending cards via funkypigeon. Birthdays and sadly bereavements. As an adult though it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t get any at the moment. But then I’m not a big birthday person. If you are I can see why you might be a little upset. Plan something when all this is over - that’s what we are doing for my DD, she’s 12. She’s fine about it - old enough to know the post has problems and birthday gifts right now are not people’s priorities

Even a ready made cake mix from he super market where you just add eggs.

There were no eggs at all in my Asda click and collect order this week, only half the amount of yoghurt and milk is in short supply.

Ps the dog was 3 last week. He had a gift, home made card and home made cake. His dog walker even posted him a card through the door which he grabbed off her, smelt her, and promptly ran to the window looking for her :(

I think that your plans sound a little OTT for an adult's birthday.

However, there is no reason you cannot celebrate a birthday during lockdown, even if you are self-isolating. Cake and cards can be homemade or bought from a supermarket, in person or online. Presents can be ordered from Amazon, John Lewis and many other places. Post Offices are still open, so you can send a card or present to someone, or if you're not going out at all, have it sent directly from the supplier.

It's my sister's birthday soon and I've organised a delivery of letterbox flowers from Bloom & Wild. Neither she nor I will have to leave our own houses in order for her to receive them.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras there is a free game online called Drawful on steam. Up to 8 people can play for free. Tell her to book off a certain time, reach out to her few closest friends, and you can all surprise her by playing this game over video chat. The thought that you are all coming together for her and have made the effort to arrange it will probably make her feel very special. The game is a bit like Pictionary. Its from a series called jackbox, so if you wish you can purchase more similar fun games, but the free one is just as fun.

Lucky your birthday isn't December 25th OP....you'd know about forgotten birthdays then. You could, of course, do what everybody tells me I should do and that's celebrate it on another date.

@Chillicheese123 I love this idea. You could also make a quiz about a specific person. What character did they play in the school play at the age of 2, what was their first word, that sort of thing.