Indie’s first birthday coming up. I refuse to believe it’s been nearly a YEAR since my youngest was born.
I keep looking for the crying face emoji, and then I remembered I’m on my laptop.
The way things are going, it’s looking like my grand plans of a big party in the park probably aren’t going to happen.
So, time to make-do with the circumstances, and party on.
I know we can still celebrate with friends and fam even if we can’t be physically together.
My brother Brandon and his wife Marie had a gender reveal party planned, involving pie. It was a real bummer to not celebrate with them in person, but they managed to throw a fun party via Google Hangouts!
Their party really inspired me to start coming up with ideas for Indie’s 1st birthday, in case the social-distancing measures are still in place come June.
How to celebrate while social distancing:
1. Include your friends still!
Chances are they still want to be included!
Put on the invite that they should join you with a cupcake or a drink to toast with after singing happy birthday.
Realistically, the digital gathering will be shorter than an in-person party.
That’s ok, cut out 10-15 minutes on party day to celebrate your guest of honor online.
2. Invites/Mail
Send legit invitations! Evites, facebook event, snail mail invites.
Remote partying is a lot more casual, but a set time will make it easier to gather everyone.
Consider asking guests for birthday cards!
Or have them message a guess as to what little one will be when she grows up, email pictures of y’all together.
On party day, compile all the contributions, and display for family to see on Zoom.
3. Make the day special
If you have a small crew at your house, put in the effort to make it a day out of the ordinary.
Today might feel like any other day stuck at home, but it’s still a day to celebrate!
I find decorations change the atmosphere in a room.
Have some decor shipped, or craft some cute bunting and a cake topper. Greenery or wildflowers from the yard- so cute and cheap!
I’ve seen some great ideas of friends doing drive-by birthday mini parades, dropping off gifts or just wishing happy birthday.
4. Gifts
If you’re doing presents, great! Consider sharing this time with your fam and friends live.
Everybody loves a good reaction video, and I love seeing how different people respond to gifts.
Not everyone can give gifts these days, and that’s okay too. No guilt necessary.
If gift giving is your love language, this could be an opportunity to make something sentimental to give your little one or to mark the milestone. Family handprints on a canvas, quilt/crochet/knit, footprints for a garden stepping stone.
5. Make a plan
Have a general outline for the party-
Presents, sing, cake smash.
This ain’t my first rodeo/birthday.
Babies poop out early, especially after lots of attention and commotion. Short, sweet, to the point.
Don’t stress or over think it! This is a time to celebrate the love you all have for this special one.
Whether you do a little or do a lot, take a moment to make someone feel important and celebrate them.
You don’t have to have a Pinteresty-perfectly cute party to have a good time and share the love.
Have fun! Comment if you’ve partied remotely. What did you do to make it fun? What went well and what didn’t? I’d love to hear your stories too!
All my love,