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11 virtual birthday party ideas: How to celebrate a birthday during lockdown
Because we'll never stop celebrating
Whether we like it or not, lockdown birthdays are part of our lives for the time being. While it's no fun being away from our friends and family during the most special day of the year, there are still ways to embrace getting a year older while we isolate.
If you're all about making the most of a strange situation, you'll want to know the best virtual birthday parties to plan for a lockdown celebration worth remembering.
How to celebrate a birthday during lockdown
It's simple, really. Just tell a few of your closest mates to save the date and time, choose your theme (we've got a few ideas below), decorate a space in your home, dress up for the occasion and there you have it, your virtual birthday party!
Of course, you'll want to ensure you have wine/gin/cocktails (and cake) flowing and you can set up a table to place the gifts you've received, too. As you'll be celebrating via your computer, don't forget to keep it charged for all the hours of fun ahead.
The best virtual birthday party ideas
Online parties can be more than just the standard Zoom call with your nearest and dearest, too. You could make it a murder mystery evening or experience an escape room at home.
If you're looking for ideas to celebrate within your household, there are cookalongs, wine tasting and the chance to design your own perfume - all from the comfort of your own home.
Maybe you fancy an intimate lockdown birthday just for two, something for a large group that you can host yourself, or you'd like to organise a surprise for someone you love. Or, if you're self-isolating, a virtual party is a terrific pick-me-up during this weird time.
To help you plan the perfect celebration, we've picked some excellent virtual birthday party ideas from our friends at Virgin Experience Days. Just be sure to place your order in time to receive any supplies you need, like wine or ingredients, in time for the big day.
Check out these brilliant virtual ideas for how to celebrate a birthday during lockdown.
Make cocktails with a mixologist from Ibiza
The ultimate way to bring a taste of Ibiza to your virtual birthday party, this private cocktail masterclass for up to six households is from Southside Bars. Without even leaving the house, up to six households can get together virtually and enjoy a one-hour masterclass through Zoom. An expert mixologist from Ibiza will teach you how to make and shake three of the best-tasting cocktails of your choice from an extensive menu. You’ll learn how to muddle, mix and stir each cocktail like a pro along the way.
Experience a virtual escape room at home
Gather eight mates and experience a virtual birthday party in the form of a CSI: Grounded at Home escape room. You and your team will work against the clock to try and find the killer. You can follow the scent via the audio and video files as you unlock the case and solve the story of who killed Avery Stone.
Drink fancy gin or whisky with a head bartender
Another fantastic virtual birthday idea for experiencing with the one you live with, this is based on East London cocktail bar MAP Maison’s much-loved masterclasses. For your boozy night in, you can sample their outstanding gins or Japanese whiskies with an online experience. Activate the voucher to receive your gift box and tune in via a video link to learn about your chosen spirit with the head bartender leading the session. There'll be plenty of fun facts and tasting as you go and you’ll finish up by having a go at cocktail making.
Design your own fragrance at a virtual perfume party
A great one to do with friends over Zoom, this is a luxurious virtual birthday party idea that comes with a unique gift. You can channel your creativity with the hands-on experience designing your own perfume collection at home, while swapping ideas over the video call. A set will be delivered to your home and contains 18 blends for you to get creative. The kit is for one person, so every member of your virtual party will need to have one delivered to their home.
Have afternoon tea with your favourites
Get together with your favourite people and have a fun afternoon tea party with this fabulous birthday party idea. Jam-packed with traditional treats and delivered straight to your doorstep, this is an excellent experience you and your gang can indulge in with little organising required. Just buy enough afternoon teas for everyone who is joining, choose the delivery date and once everyone receives their afternoon tea, pop the kettle on (and Zoom) and start celebrating. There are classic pork, vegan and veggie options to choose from.
Learn how to paint (with prosecco in hand)
Have a fun evening with friends while you start a new hobby with this painting and prosecco drinking class. Live and interactive, the class is with a professional artist who will help you create your own masterpiece. It's ideal for complete beginners and all the equipment you need will be sent to you in advance, as well as a bottle of prosecco to enjoy while you paint. You'll learn tips and tricks and will be encouraged to go off-piste. The experience is for one but you can buy a few for you and your besties and then choose the same event so you're all in one class.
Cook along with one of Jamie Oliver's top chefs
If you're after something low-key and delicious to enjoy with your household, a cookalong experience could be for you. This Jamie Oliver virtual cookery class brings one of Jamie Oliver’s top chefs into your kitchen as you take your birthday dinner to the next level with a two-hour cookalong. You can choose from 13 classes, including North Indian thali, Vietnamese street food and Mexican street food. You’ll share the session with other food lovers and you could even ask friends to get involved from their own homes.
Host a murder mystery party for your household
A brilliant lockdown party idea for you and your household, a murder mystery experience is a unique way to celebrate a birthday during lockdown. Put your interrogation skills to the test and grab your housemates for an online experience that takes place over three days. You’ll be sent clues and videos each day to figure out who committed the murder. On your final evening, you’ll meet your suspects – played by professional actors - over a video call.
Bake with a legend and a few of your friends
What's a birthday without cake? This virtual birthday party idea combines two of our favourite things - baked goods and our mates! The online class with a former Great British Bake Off star takes place in your home as you bake tasty treats, such as scones or swiss rolls - just pick your favourite sweet treat from a list ahead of the class. You'll then be sent a list of ingredients to buy in time for the session. The class is for two people in your household but more of you could join if you buy multiple experiences and each book the same session.
Make your own scented candles with trendy candlemakers
For a soothing celebration that will leave your house smelling gorgeous too, this candle making experience is a great addition to your birthday party. You'll follow the online workshop from the comfort of home, making your own scented candle with Earl of East in London. An expert instructor will guide you via Zoom after you receive the candle kit containing everything you need. The experience is for one but you can purchase the amount of sessions you need for you and your mates to jump on the same class - just be aware that there are selected dates.
Sip French wine for a classy lockdown celebration
The perfect romantic virtual birthday party for you and your other half, this at-home French wine tasting allows you to taste fine plonk while you relax in the comfort of your home. An expert instructor takes you on a tutored tasting of six French wines, with each one boasting a different style. Just choose the date and six 150ml bottles of wine will be shipped straight to your door, ready for the fun tasting.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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