While COVID-19 may have limited people's abilities to actively go out and celebrate each day muting our fun and joy, that doesn't mean creative celebrations can't be done indoors and magic cannot happen. Kids’ birthdays can be some of the hardest events to celebrate during quarantine, because they may not understand why this year is different.
Earlier it was difficult on our part to keep ourselves locked indoor, praying every day for things to normalize, for vaccine to come out, for breathing out of masks, for touching everything without fear and for not treating human as a weapon anymore.
Months came and went and we realize covid has no right to suck the joy out of my family. If we are lucky this too shall pass without touching us. So we decided to embrace the bad times and make this pandemic so memorable that it should get etched in our mind because bad days must reminds you how worth your life is in good times.
With no big gatherings we decided to make the most out of Anika’s 2ndbirthday celebration at home! It was only us, me, Ani and Anika.
BIRTHDAY CAKE
The preparation for Anika's 2nd birthday began from one month in advance in July. I didnt want to take any risk ordering cake from some bakery or pick it from random bakery's rack in grocery store. I had rather bake it at home and feed it to my girl tension free My baking actually sucks because i have no patince to make the batter and spend hell lot of time in kitchen. Betty Crocker definitely came to my rescue with fondants and cream toppings of my choice in Amazon. Thanks to virtual world that with minimum shopping outdoor things came directly to my door. I wanted the theme to be correlated with covid and made sure my cake looks equally fun giving the right message. It was really an experience to bake for first timer like me.
THE THEME DECORATION
The environment can make all the difference. When you decorate the house for a special occasion, it can change the mood to be more uplifted and excited. Even though this day might not feel like a typical birthday, going above and beyond with the decorations can make this birthday feel extra special. I chose balloons and picking her fave animal stuff toys, placing signs in the front to create the perfect atmosphere for a quarantine birthday party.
A week before I also took out time to make the birthday banner and all the sign placards. It was a eureka moment when I was able to hang the balloon arch perfectly.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
We picked a bright aqua green frill dress for her which was soft and comfortable to not irritate her skin. The dress was gifted from a friend and we made sure she see this pic.
Earlier it was hard to bring her to mood for photo session. So we had do lot of fun activity to make her comfortable and bring out her best smile. Oh! why does it always happen on her birthday when she becomes cranky?
MAKE A WISH UPON THE CANDLE
We choose the evening time for cake cutting giving her ample time break to sleep and rest before she looks her best again for candle blowing. Once again her dad picked the dress he is confident will make her look even more pretty.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIRTUAL STYLE
Now that everyone have been video calling these days to bunch of people we were blessed that we are living in times of internet and advance tech. We got the luxury to have our family and friends get their party hats and noisemakers and get ready to celebrate with us virtually. If you are comfortable with Watsapp or Facetime conference video calling then Zoom is also another good option which is free as long as you stay within a certain time frame.
Invite everyone to a video chat to share their birthday wishes and reunite with everyone. It can be hard to feel close to others during quarantine, but video chat is an easy way to connect and make the birthday person feel celebrated.
OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE FOR KIDS PARTY
So I read someone's blog from where I got these amazing ideas of other ways to make kids' party extra fun during quarantine and is tempted to put her words here.
GIFTS HUNTING GAME
Instead of simply giving the presents to your child, take it up a notch (and keep them active) by organizing a scavenger hunt for their presents hidden around the house just like Easter egg hunting. After they have found them all, open them together and watch their face light up!
WISHES THROUGH MAILS OR TEXT
Birthday parties are usually filled with family and friends chatting and reliving fun memories with the birthday boy or girl. Whether through email, text or mail, capture these same moments even though you can’t be with people in person. Have your friends and family send their favorite memory and enjoy laughing, crying and reminiscing on all of the submissions.
IT'S A 'YES' DAY
Does your child want a dance party? Yes! Do they want ice cream for dinner? Yes! Do they want to fill their entire bedroom with balloons? Yes! Let their imagination run wild and fulfill all of their wishes for the day (within reason). This will make them feel like the day is all about them, even though it can’t be celebrated in a normal way.
REUNITE WITH CLASSMATE
If you kid is already missing their play school friends – Collaborate with your kid’s teacher to arrange a video chat with their classmates to all sing happy birthday together.
Lastly but not least unplug from your work and spend the whole day with your kid! Nothing can make them feel more special than spending the day with them.
SHOP THE PARTY LIST
