Leanne Bayley
Having a quarantine birthday in lockdown? We've got all the ideas for what you'll need to have a fun birthday at home. From birthday cakes, balloons, bunting, banners, drinking games ideas and funny birthday cards.
Now we're in a third national lockdown, it looks like some of us will be continuing to celebrate birthdays at home indoors. That's right - heading out for afternoon tea, going out for cocktails or jetting off on a city break is just not on the cards for 2021 yet, but here is a list of things you can buy to make a lockdown birthday all the more special…
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A funny quarantine birthday card
If you don't laugh, you'll cry. Send a lols-quarantine birthday card to your pal who's celebrating turning another year older in lockdown. You can send it in the post or there's also an e-card version.
Personalised birthday card, £3.29, Moonpig
Large birthday card, £4.99, Moonpig
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Balloons
No birthday is complete without birthday balloons and hey, a little bit of confetti will give you something else to do (yes, we're factoring in clear-up time into our day).
A 34-piece decorating set, £12.99, Amazon
Pink balloons 79-piece set, £11.99, Amazon
Ginger Ray Ombre Pink Balloon Wall Party Decoration Pack, £19.99, Notonthehightstreet.com
Champagne balloon, £9.99, Amazon
LED light-up balloons, from £3.99, eBay
Confetti balloons, £11.34, Amazon
Birthday face mask
Shopping for a birthday outfit might be a little different this year. Can we interest you in a birthday face mask?
Birthday face mask sticker, £2.69, Spreadshirt
Birthday girl face mask, £3.07, Etsy
Friends-inspired face mask, £5.49, Etsy
Birthday banners
If you're quarantining with someone who's birthday it is, a banner will cheer them up for sure.
Lockdown birthday banner set of two, £3.99, Amazon
Lockdown birthday banner, £12.90, Amazon
Blue Birthday Bunting, £7.19, Notonthehighstreet.com
Silver Balloon Banner, £6.79, Amazon
Ginger Ray Rose Gold Happy Birthday Balloon Bunting, £6.95, Amazon
A birthday backdrop
A unicorn backdrop will make the perfect photo opportunity...
Unicorn backdrop, £16.99, Amazon
Game on backdrop, £10.99, Amazon
Birthday cake or snacks
Well, this is a given. Everyone loves cake. You can either make one yourself or order in.
Rainbow cake (with candles!), £30, Marks & Spencer
Large Chocolate Cake, £8.50, Tesco (order at least a week in advance)
Happy Birthday Biscuit Tin, £35, Biscuiteers
Happy Birthday Surprise chocolates, cake and prosecco hamper, £30, Marks & Spencer
Birthday cake shield
Top It is a doctor-invented cake shield created to protect party goers from spreading germs over cakes when blowing out the candles – genius! Plus, it's clear so you'll still be able to see your cake's Insta-worthy decor.
Cake shield, from $14.99, TopItCakeShield.com
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Birthday candles and toppers
Just because you're not leaving the house, doesn't mean your cake can't be beautifully decorated!
Quarantine birthday topper, £3.99, Etsy
But whatever you do, don't forget the candles and you'll need matches or a lighter (don't forget!).
24 metallic pink candles, £5.99, Amazon
A crown or a party hat and maybe even a tiara
Ok, this is more for the birthday extroverts. If there's a birthday Zoom, be sure the birthday girl or boy is wearing a crown.
Meri Meri glitter crown, £4, Party Pieces
Tiara for the Birthday princess, £10.69, Amazon
It's My Birthday headband, £9, John Lewis
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Party hats, £13, Notonthehightstreet.com
Happy Birthday Hat, £7.89, Amazon
Wrapping paper
You can buy your usual wrapping paper or you could do something a little more special - personalised gift wrap.
Wrapping paper, £4.99, Getting Personal
A funny lockdown T-shirt
At least, for now, it looks like a lot of 2021 will be spent at home, so there's no reason for a ballgown really, is there?
The One Where I Was In Lockdown FRIENDS T-shirt, £15, Amazon
Cocktail props
How fab are these personalised straws?!
Drink skewer, £3.95, Notonthehighstreet
Party lighting for home
Hey, if you're going to get the party started at home, you'll need some snazzy lighting.
Lights curtain, £11.99, Amazon
Disco light with remote control, £15.99, Amazon
Rotating disco ball, £16.99, Amazon
LED Curtain, £18.99, Amazon
A lockdown birthday mug
Make that morning cuppa a little different...
Lockdown birthday mug, £11.99, Amazon
Something a little extra extra?
Because lockdown isn't going to stop the celebrations - with your fellow quarantine pals of course. A birthday in 2021 can still be extremely extra...
Winter Wonderland party set-up, £7.99, Amazon
Rainbow numbers, from £20, Paper Dreams
Pastel garland, £18, Paper Dreams
Murder Mystery Game
Nothing brings people together like a game, and this digital murder mystery, which you can easily buy online, is a winner. You can download a ready-to-play party, upgrade by booking in an actor/performer to join you, or go the whole hog and buy a bespoke soiree. There's a variety of murder mystery themes to choose from, including 1920s Paris and Vintage Circus.
Murder Mystery Game, from £69, The Digital Murder Mystery Co.
Food and drink and at-home experiences
Forget slaving away in the kitchen, go for something a little different for a celebration...
Movie Night In with Popcorn, Make Your Own Pizza and a Film for Two, £35, Virgin Experiences
Create a fun night in experience to remember with this Movie Night in with Popcorn, Pizza and a Film for Two. The two of you will make your own pizza with hand-crafted dough and award-winning British produce, while watching your favourite film or one of the latest releases. Of course, no movie night is complete without popcorn. Tuck into a bag of gourmet popcorn hand-coated in smooth buttery caramel from Joe & Seph’s each. It sounds pretty simple: You activate your voucher, and you’ll be sent the details of Mongoose Promotions to email who’ll provide a code for you to redeem your box. To download the film, you’ll need to register a free account through CHILI and will need access to a device.
The Pan-n-Ice Ultimate Kit, £79.95, Pan-n-Ice
Make your own ice-cream rolls at home - the at home kits guarantee the same great experience and taste without having to leave the house.
Zizzi pizzas that cook from frozen, £4, Sainsbury's
You can't go wrong with pizza!
Isolation Sensation Chocolate Truffle Kit and Online Workshop, £31, Virgin Experience Days
Indulge your sweet tooth and beat any isolation blues with a live chocolate making masterclass from the team at MyChocolate.
Alcohol
Ok, this is an adults-only birthday party requirement, but plenty of booze is required for a lockdown birthday.
Party fizz - case of six, £60, Marks & Spencer
Gordon's pink gin and tonic, £1.99 each or savings in bulk, drinksupermarket.com
Cocktails, £7.50, Liberation Cocktails
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Drinking games
Let's get the party started!
Prosecco Drinking Games: Pick a Game, Pour Some Bubbles, and Get the Party Started, £7.99, Waterstones
Monopoly FRIENDS Edition, £22.99, Amazon
The best drinking games to play over Zoom
Never Have I Ever
Cards Against Humanity
Truth Or Dare
Bingo
MORE: 10 family-friendly board games to play at home
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