Isolation is tough, and even more so when you have to cancel any birthday plans. But that doesn’t mean it’s a total write off, in fact you could very well have one of the best celebrations ever. Here are some top tips to celebrate your birthday while in isolation…
We recently caught up with heyyholly to find out how to celebrate your birthday while in isolation…
It’s a strange time at the moment and even more so if you have a birthday to celebrate. Which is why I want to talk about how to celebrate a birthday in this crazy world we find ourselves living in at the moment. The usually favoured ideas of popping off for a city break, gathering mates and heading out for a bottomless brunch, hosting a dinner party, a Sunday roast and pub quiz etc. are all seemingly not possible when you’re in isolation…but what if they weren’t? What if you could do all of the above and not break any of the government rules or go against any medical advice?
Below you’ll find some birthday weekend plans: not including any prep. heyyholly handles all of that for you…
Friday evening
Arrive in Tokyo – theme your home with décor, scents and floral displays indicative of Japanese style and culture. Immerse yourself in the Tokyo style and take your shoes off at the door and sit Zashiki style with Tatami seating. Drink warm sake and have a go at sushi making. Samon nigiri, maki, uramaki, temaki; whichever you prefer, all while listening to Kabuki and J-pop music (there are some great playlists on Spotify if you need some inspiration). Main course is a choice of either yaki udon or ramen both are fun and easy to make at home. End the evening with a film screening of Hanging Gardens, Moon and Cherry, Still Walking or Nobody Knows while snacking on some Strawberry Pocky.
Saturday daytime
Pack your bags as it’s time to change location. You’ve landed in New York and it’s time for brunch. One of my personal favourite things to do of a birthday is grab some friends and head for bottomless brunch. The only way to do brunch in New York as far as I’m concerned. How can you do this in isolation?
Set up a close friends list on Instagram or a what’s app group and share your brunch experience with your closest friends. Poached eggs, smashed avocado, sourdough, acai bowls, smoked salmon; whatever you choose, make sure you keep the prosecco topped up and the New York inspired brunch playlist pumping.
Saturday Night
Take the New York shared experience one step further and call on a VJ (a DJ that creates amazing visual displays to music) and organise a live stream event. Plan the channel (Facebook live, YouTube live, Zoom etc.) and let your friends know when to turn up and tune in. Don’t forget to dress for the party, get the cocktails ready (you can send out a birthday box ahead of time containing cocktail ingredients and recipe cards to your party guests so that you’re all drinking the same thing) Appletinis, New York sours and The Bronx should do it and keep the party going. Set up video sharing so that you can all see each other, interact and play games throughout the evening. Brief the VJ to keep it New York scene themed and immerse yourself in the sounds of hip-hop, disco and new wave. Maybe even have a voguing competition by way of video sharing. It is New York after all.
Sunday
Finishing off how to celebrate your birthday while in isolation, is what to do on Sunday. Arrive back in the UK and have a lie in, read the papers and make a pot of tea. Once you’ve risen from bed turn your kitchen or dining room into a good old English pub and enjoy a roast and get your friends together for live pub quiz. Goose’s Quizzes (based in Edinburgh) are hosting ‘Goose in your Hoose’ quiz evenings at 7pm. The events are streamed via Twitch and you and your team can input answers via a google form answer sheet. You don’t need to miss out on the witty pub quiz banter as you can jeer or get involved via the Twitch chat function. Once your answers are submitted the Goose team mark them all and announce the winning team 24 hours later on their next streamed event.
So, there you have it – how to celebrate your birthday while in isolation full of travel, culture, friends and fun all while staying home, staying safe and respecting the crazy times that we are in without having to sacrifice your happiness and making special and unforgettable birthday memories.
