So your birthday is coming up, you’re excited to go out and have fun to celebrate being one year older and maybe wiser. You’re picking the outfit you might have bought especially for occasions like these. You fix yourself up as today is a special day. With all that done, the only thing left to do is leave the house and party!
But the thing is, we can’t exactly do that anymore, for now at least. So we try to do what we can to keep contact with our friends and family and have fun within the rules of social-distancing.
On special occasions like birthdays, the best thing we can do is hold online parties. They can be anything and everything you can think of, as long as you plan them well.
So here are a few tips, apps and ideas for your “quaran-style” party, based on my own planning for not just birthday parties but parties with friends.
There are many platforms where we can hold these online gatherings. Here are what I believe to be the top platforms for hosting online events.
Discord
Originally used as an app for gamers and online communities, Discord lets friends and family keep in touch and have fun. The good thing about Discord is its ability to create multiple calling channels and text channels for all kinds of purposes. This app also has a web version and bots you can add that have multiple purposes like playing music from your Spotify or YouTube playlists.
Zoom
One of the apps that has risen to the top for online meetings and classes, Zoom is also used by people to host events or parties. Zoom has a breakout room feature that lets smaller groups interact during a certain part of your online gathering. The free subscription has a time limit—that’s the downside.
Google Meet
One of the other apps preferred for online classes and the like is Google Meet. This app can be used as long as you have a Google account. Overall, it’s very simple and much easier to use than the first two.
Activity ideas:
Some of these suggestions can still be done even for nonbirthday celebrations.
Modify traditions. If you’re celebrating your 18th birthday, you could have a modified version of the 18 roses and other debut traditions. Instead of flowers, dances and candles, your friends can give you books, movies or songs. It’s a fun spin to the classic ceremonies and allows your friends to describe you in fun ways.
Host a game section for the party. There are many games you can play online and they make for a fun conversation and laughs. Try Skribbl.io or games that are similar to Cards Against Humanity.
Create a theme for the party. These themes could range from a simple color palette or a theme based on a show. Other themes could be a do-it-yourself anime cosplay party or a meme theme.
You could also host a talent show and have the guests perform. The talent can be anything and everything, as long as it’s done for fun. You could sing meme songs to “Rickroll” your friends or even dance to songs like those TikTok challenges.
An important thing everyone could do is make videos or messages for the birthday celebrant. Quarantine has been tough and all of us need to feel loved. A video message for the celebrant would be a great way to have fun and share memories with one other.
I hope that you enjoy planning and having your birthday celebration! Happy birthday!—CONTRIBUTED INQ