Quarantine Birthday: Celebrating is Not Cancelled

Have you experienced a Quarantine Birthday yet?

We’ve had a few friends and family birthdays happen recently, and yesterday, it was my husband’s turn. We joked about it being a quarantine birthday, if only to make light of the situation. During times like this, you have to make the best out of the circumstances that you’re given.

Social distancing may make life very different and cancel many activities. However, you can still celebrate your loved ones, even if it’s from a safe distance. There doesn’t need to be a traditional party or gathering. It also may be harder on kids than adults, but we have to lead by example. Here are some ideas if you have a quarantine birthday.

Make the Day Different

I’m not sure if it feels like this to you, but the days are all starting to feel the same. It’s as if we’ve all stepped into the movie Groundhog’s Day. 

So, do something to make the day different!

My husband is still considered an essential worker in real estate. On his birthday, he decided to get everything done right away in the morning, and take the rest of the day to enjoy his birthday. Even though it was a Monday, we only did our virtual learning for a few hours in the morning and took the afternoon off.

I also actually got dressed. In real clothes and everything! I did my hair and make up too. Plus, I made the kids get dressed before noon, which deserved a metal.

Decorate and DIY

After we finished make a sign for the front yard, I found some old balloons and streamers. We attached them to the sign and to our lamppost.

We also made homemade cards, and I planned a front yard picnic. It was simple food because I couldn’t go out to the store. So, I cut up cheese, crackers, and salami, and we sat around in chairs enjoying the sunshine.

Drive By

My son’s best friend celebrated his birthday the day before. His mom organized a drive by of their house for his birthday, and it was so cool.

There was a line of cars that stretched down the block!

We made signs to hold in our car and attached balloons. People dropped presents on his driveway, shouted “Happy Birthday,” and honked horns. It was awesome.

So, for my husband’s birthday, I invited his friends and family to do the same. We didn’t have a huge turnout, but it was pretty cool to see his face when he realized the cars driving by were there for him. There were signs, horns, and even a beer handed to him with one of those grabber things. People stayed a safe distance, but we could all feel the love.

Plus, there were calls and texts and facetimes. Messages on Facebook. Even a few neighbor friends walked by and shouted some happy birthdays. One family was sweet enough to leave a present on our driveway. A roll of toilet paper and beer! Ha!

No Cake, No Problem

I didn’t have a chance or the desire to go to the store, so we didn’t have a traditional birthday cake. Instead, the boys and I made cupcakes the day before. Then, we ordered pizza for dinner.

My husband isn’t a huge sweets person, so he didn’t mind. I’m sure there are plenty of places where you can order a cake still, but it just wasn’t worth it to us. We’ll have plenty of cake once this is all over.

We ended the night snuggled up on the couch with a classic movie: Romancing the Stone

My husband’s quarantine birthday may have been different from birthdays in the past, but he still enjoyed it. There may not have been a big party or a night out at a restaurant. Things may look and feel different for quite a while. We are all trying to navigate this the best that we can. We are lucky to be safe with our family at home, and just need to keep remembering that.