All opinions are mine and mine alone.
We’re living through a strange and unusual time. For many, life is starting to return to normal, or at least a new version of it, which we’ll probably have to live with for some time. While in some countries around the world, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, in many other places, things are starting to improve. Cases are falling, lockdowns are ending, and many people are venturing out of their homes for the first time in weeks, as shops, schools, and workplaces begin to reopen.
But, not everyone. If you have any underlying health conditions, or otherwise fit into an at-risk group, you may be choosing to live in some level of isolation for a little bit longer. If you are able to work from home, you might have decided to stay at home as much as you can, even if you aren’t at high-risk, to stay safe. Many people all over the world, even as things reopen, are choosing to stay in their homes.
Day to day, you might be quite happy with this arrangement. You might have got into a routine, and while you might be missing friends and family, you may be getting by quite nicely.
What about the special days, though? If you or someone else in your household has a birthday, or another special occasion coming up, you probably still want to do something special, even if it’s at home, and in isolation. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can make your birthday special, even if you won’t be visiting your favorite places, or seeing the people that you love.
Make a Full Day of It
Birthdays often come with pressure. We’re so determined to have the perfect day; we schedule too many things, we try to do too much as we spend the day rushed around. Really unable to enjoy ourselves.
At home, you’ve got time. There’s no need to travel or queue at popular attractions. You can take it easy and make the most of your whole day. Start with a special breakfast in bed and then take it from there.
Order Food In
Food is, for most of us, a big part of any celebration. Visiting your favorite restaurant might be a normal part of your celebration. The good news is, you can still order food in. Most takeouts are open and delivering, and many restaurants, even those that remain closed for dine-in customers, are offering some form of dine at home service. If I was trying to Surprise my boyfriend on his birthday, I might order his favorite sweet treats. You can also order afternoon teas, cakes, pic and mix sweets, pizza, and near enough any other food that you can think of.
You could even set the table for your evening meal, to make it feel more like a night out.
Get in Touch with Friends and Family
Many people are finding that actually, even though they can’t see their friends or family in person, they are speaking to them far more than normal, as they check in regularly with phone calls, video chat, and texts.
Check in on your birthday, and even consider a group video chat. If you want to create something extra special, you could even get dressed up and enjoy cocktails with your family. Fancy dress, group movies, or video games together online are other great options.
Bake a Cake
You can, of course, order a cake in. But, what’s to stop you baking one? It can be great fun, and if you’ve got more time at home than usual, it’s the perfect chance to give it a go. Have a look at some easy birthday cake recipes online, or try something a little more advanced, but let yourself have fun and get a little bit messy.
Take a Day Off
If you’ve been working from home, homeschooling your children, or even trying to juggle both, the best birthday present that you could give yourself might be a day off. Spend the day watching movies on Netflix, reading books, taking a hot bubble bath, and doing other things that you enjoy.
Get Dressed Up
You might have spent much of the lockdown in your sweats or other comfy clothes. You certainly aren’t alone. This means that the easiest way to make your special occasion different might be to get dressed up. Buy yourself a new outfit, or get an old favorite out. You might even want to do your hair and makeup, or get really dressed up for dinner.
Alternatively, if you’ve spent lockdown getting dressed, as usual, spend your birthday chilling in your PJs. The most important thing is to do what makes you happy and comfortable on your special day, whether a new birthday dress for women or lounging in your comfiest PJs. So celebrate in style, whether dressed to the nines or cozied in your favorite PJs.
Enjoy a Games Night
If you’ve fallen into the habit of spending your evenings on the sofa watching TV, do something different. Spend the evening playing board games or even video games with your household. Have a look on eBay for some of the classics from your childhood to bring back some happy memories.
You could even get your family the same games, and play together over video chat, or have an online video games party.
Indulge in a Home Spa
It’s easy to create a simple spa at home. Buy, or make some face masks, take a bath with a special bath bomb and light some candles, and treat yourself to other treatments.
Get the BBQ Out
Being at home doesn’t have to mean that you are stuck in your house. If you’ve got a BBQ and the weather is good, get out into the garden and cook outdoors. If you haven’t got a garden, eating outside can still feel a little special, even just because it is a change from the norm.
Sleep Somewhere Different
You might not be able to stay in a fancy hotel, but if you’ve got a tent you could camp outdoors, or you could have a sleepover in your lounge. Get the whole household set up with mattresses and blankets and spend the night watching movies, playing games, and eating snacks.
If you’ve got a special occasion coming up, enjoy it, no matter what you do. Celebrate in a way that feels special to you, and treat yourself.
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