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.

Chillicheese123

I am grateful. I feel so awful already because her birthday will be ruined. Then you see threads like these telling you to make the effort, anythings possible when in truth it's not that easy.

Who knows where she'll be? If they lift lockdown we'll get her home so I don't want hampers etc going to an empty house so it needs to be something that I can change the delivery address for if I need to.

Those are lovely ideas, OP. Thanks for posting them and brightening up these difficult days. I'll be using some for birthdays in the next couple of months.

I'd add www.jacquielawson.com.
She does a huge range of animated cards -- I've been using them for years.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras can you say which uni is she at?
You could send her a nice takeaway. In bigger cities you have places which still do hampers.

I think if you can afford it, birthday's should be celebrated as a positive day and something to celebrate. I'm currently ill (not sure if covid) and have a birthday soon - and hope I'm better to celebrate with my family and yes selfishily open some non essential present(s). I don't mind the cards etc, but am looking forward to cake.

Happy Birthday to all those with birthday's approaching.

@Thinkingabout1t glad I can help :)

As far as I'm concerned my birthday can piss off in the the hades of hell next month. I should've been celebrating my birthday with a newborn baby in my arms. I won't be though I'll be stuck by myself staring at a memorial instead with the odd conversation with my other half over the phone whilst he's at work

how come your dd had to stay at Uni?

Because they maintained that they were running as normal until the day after the lockdown was announced. She's in her final year and is in the middle of her dissertation and final essays so needed the library and reference books.

By the time uni had sorted online library access and on line lectures she wasn't able to travel home and I was shielded.

No idea what we're going to do if this lasts until June when her tenancy ends.

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras I really hope you can get your dd home soon 🧡

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow

She's at Kent.

DS' birthday today, was fortunate enough to have gotten his birthday presents at the start of last month.

Had a special birthday cake in mind, but can't do that now due to not being able to get the icing, we do have a bar of chocolate in the fridge, so am about to attempt a chocolate cake.

Wish me luck

It was my husband’s yesterday, I ordered everything online that I wanted to get for him easily. I can understand money being a problem for many but to not do anything for a loved one’s birthday that you live with if you have the financial means is pure laziness and using this as an excuse.

You can order her takeaway. Just Eat delivers there.
Or yummies from here? I would first ask them thegoodsshed.co.uk/ like a cheeseboard stuff and wine or beer.

I would look at independent suppliers there. Every city has some website where they have list of some

What did you order though magic? I just can't find gift ideas that can be delivered

I have a birthday with a zero in it on Wednesday
I am Delighted that it will slip by quietly 🤫
We will have a takeaway from the more expensive takeaway and I will be just be glad that everyone is one day closer to this thing being over!

I’m sorry @llolz

A computer game (ordered ages ago in fairness), some boxers and a bottle of his favorite drink, cards and a birthday cake. Mainly amazon/sock shop but I was lucky enough to get a supermarket delivery so added things to that too. It may vary via region though how hard it is, so apologies if you are trying where you are and it’s impossible, I wasn’t talking about people in that situation.

I noticed however on Mother’s Day there were a lot of people saying how they had received nothing and this virus was quoted as the ‘reason’, I do think a few people are using it as an excuse to do nothing even when they have money in the bank. Those were the type of people I think who will use this as an excuse.

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow

I searched for food deliveries when this first started and thought I'd order her shopping to be delivered but just couldn't find anywhere around there that was doing it.

I did look at the site you've linked to but she won't want a box of meat and veg. Its so frustrating. I thought this is where online deliveries would come into their own.

I noticed however on Mother’s Day there were a lot of people saying how they had received nothing and this virus was quoted as the ‘reason’, I do think a few people are using it as an excuse to do nothing even when they have money in the bank. Those were the type of people I think who will use this as an excuse.

I don't know. Online shops aren't doing what I thought they'd be doing. We've not even had a post delivery for ten days.

Wow really? It must be really different across the country then- postbox has had unnecessary but posted letters daily, it’s doing my head in to be honest. May I ask are those of you struggling in cities?

It's my 50th coming up this month and I don't want any of my friends or family taking any risks to get me a card or even to walk to the post office to post it. I don't want them ordering stuff on line and I don't want them going out to buy me anything. I've told everyone I'm postponing my 50th indefinitely and will celebrate when this is all over. On the plus side I get to stay 49 for a bit longer.

May I ask are those of you struggling in cities?

We're in a London borough, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Yeah we are in a much quieter town, I’m thinking it must be easier to get things where we are? Sorry if my first post came across unkindly to anyone who has really tried and struggled to get things, it’s genuinely not been my experience this week here.

@daisyjgrey
TwoZeroTwoZero Christ who's pissed in your cornflakes?
sorry I did come across as a bit snippy and grumpy there and it was unwarranted. I'm struggling with the lockdown today, sorry op

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

They’re pretty pricey but things like this have the ‘special’ feeling if your dd is still stuck at uni for her bday

www.fortnumandmason.com/products/personalised-rose-champagne-and-chocolates-box?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras I have to say that our independent shops certainly did step up and offer deliveries. There is even new website for ordering from independents here where I am. Shame I can't see that in Canterbury.

If I were you I order food and drinks. Something nice she normally doesn't have. Then you can sort something else when she comes home. But then, I am food and drink person and want a bottle instead of flowers because well... I rather drink stuff than watch something slowly die in my vase It's also something she doesn't have to worry about packing later