Vashtie Kola

Are you about to celebrate a birthday or plan festivities for a loved one? Well…I’m coming straight from an amazing birthday spent in quarantine (April 23rd, 2020) and I learned a few ways you can celebrate your born day at home. While it totally sucks that the one day a year that belongs to you can’t be lived out exactly the way you imagined, you can still make it the bomb…and maybe even better than ever.

Having a partner can make this really lovely. The ?  did an amazing job, making my birthday perfect. Don’t hesitate to tell your partner all the ideas you have and ask them to help with some or all of what you want to do on your birthday!

LET GO OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS

It’s easy to immediately reminisce on past celebrations and how lit they were, but holding an expectation over your birthday in quarantine (or anything, ever) will block you from experiencing something new. Let go and be open.

SCHEDULE AHEAD

Take some time to think about how you want to feel and what you want to do on your special day. Some people like to spend a lot of the day solo and in the evening they emerge for attention or some people like to be immersed in their loved ones all day and night. Whatever it is, do you! It’s your day. Just plan ahead because before you know it, you could end up spending the day taking unplanned calls and replying to texts, forgetting that bath you wanted to take or the special meal you had planned for dinner.

*Perfect for a helpful partner or friend …Let them in on your plans and ask them to help plan. Some people are really good at assisting or taking over event planning.

MAKE A BIRTHDAY WISHLIST FROM ONLINE RETAILERS

I think this list works for family and friends who have asked what you want for your big day. There are some people who don’t feel comfortable not gifting a loved on their birthday and since times are weird – make it easy with a list. I would suggest keeping it cute and affordable, along with links of where it can be purchased and shipped to you. I asked my sister for metallic markers from Target and she sent them to me.

CREATE ZOOM SESSIONS FOR SPECIFIC FRIEND & FAMILY GROUP

I think Zoom’s are fun when they aren’t so overpopulated. I suggest doing various Zoom’s; for example, one with your co-workers, one with your homies from high school or college, another with your wild party goons…whatever your friend groups are. Use your best judgement when merging personalities and make sure there is synergy amongst them. Make sure to send out your invites a day in advance or day of.

*Perfect for a helpful partner or friend…Ask them to coordinate for you.  You could even ask your most organized friend of each bunch to organize. Handing off this bit is nice because then you really feel like the guest of honor when you enter the Zoom!

DO SPECIAL THINGS WITH YOUR MOST SPECIAL PEOPLE

Zoom is nice for a party feel, but for your closest people – make sure and get your alone time with them. If you and your sister like to gossip one-on-one, then do that with only her. If you and your boys like to play video games, then hold your own competition. If you and your homies like to grab drinks then have happy hour over video chat. Spend the cozy moments with your favorites during their own time. You always have the option of adding them to a bigger Zoom meeting later.

PLAN YOUR MEALS

If you are fortunate enough to have money for take-out and restaurants are open for that service, then treat yo-self! Check a day ahead; find the places you love or have always wanted to try, make sure they are open and see what their Covid-19 business hours are. If you can, place your order ahead of time – some restaurants have limited menus and are often running out of things.

If you don’t have the option of ordering in, make your favorite meal or find a new recipe you can try. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have the ingredients you need. If you live with a partner, don’t be afraid to ask them to make your favorite meal for you. This will either make them happy or annoy them,  either way – it’s your birthday!

If you live near your family or friends (and you trust their cooking) – you could ask them to make your favorite meal and leave it in front of your door.

*Perfect for a helpful partner or friend...You can also ask them to plan dinner or send a notice to local friends and family about your meal wishes. 

DRESS YOUR BEST

Whatever will make you feel like you are celebrating even though you are home, wear exactly that. If its Timberlands and a sweatsuit, do that. If its a dress and heels, go ahead now!

SCREENSHOT YOUR VIDEO CHATS, FACETIMES & ZOOMS

It’s easy to be in the moment and forget to screenshot these moments, but try and remember to do it…just like you’d take snaps of your group outings under non-quarantine conditions.

NO BIRTHDAY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A BIRTHDAY CAKE & CANDLES

I’m a firm believer of this always. A lot of bakeries are closed at moment so look up simple recipes or find a cake mix at a grocery store and get to baking! Don’t forget the candles!

*Perfect for a helpful partner or friend...You can have them in charge of the cake also, if they feel comfortable doing it.