Leanne Bayley
Having a 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.
As lockdowns around the world come to an end, restrictions are lifting but many birthday celebrations continue to look a little different.
The new rules in the UK mean we can head on out and have friends over, but you might not feel comfortable - or you might have been pinged. With this in mind, here is a list of things you can buy to make a birthday at home all the more special…
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A funny quarantine birthday card
If you don't laugh, you'll cry. Send a lols birthday card to your pal who's celebrating turning another year older during the pandemic. You can send it in the post or there's also an e-card version.
Large birthday card, £4.99, Moonpig
A Spotify playlist birthday card
Spotify birthday cards, from £3.29, thortful
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Thortful has come up with the genius idea of including a Spotify code inside a birthday card, which when scanned using a smartphone will open a playlist in the app. Who wouldn't want to receive their own party playlist?
A birthday card with a sweet treat
Personalised Love Cake Treat Card, £11.99, Prezzybox
Kill two birds with one stone with this ultra-sweet birthday card, which comes with two treats individually wrapped. Choose from a slice of Victoria sponge to lemon drizzle to chocolate fudge cake - there's a wealth of options.
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Balloons
No birthday is complete without birthday balloons.
A 34-piece decorating set, £14.99, Amazon
Pink balloons 79-piece set, £13.99, Amazon
Best F*cking Day Ever balloons, £7, ASOS
Ginger Ray Ombre Pink Balloon Wall Party Decoration Pack, £24.99, Notonthehightstreet.com
Champagne balloon, £14.99, Amazon
LED light-up balloons, from £3.99, eBay
Confetti balloons, £11.34, Amazon
Fringe curtain
Fringe curtains are a quick and easy way to create maximum impact for little cost.
Foil curtain, £8.99, Amazon
Birthday face mask
Shopping for a birthday outfit is a little different these days. Can we interest you in a birthday face mask?
Birthday face mask sticker, £2.69, Spreadshirt
Birthday girl face mask, £3.58, Etsy
Personalised Glittery Birthday Face Mask, from £8.99, Etsy
Birthday banners
Every at-home birthday needs a banner.
Blue Birthday Bunting, £8.99, Notonthehighstreet.com
Silver Balloon Banner, £5.99, Amazon
Ginger Ray Rose Gold Happy Birthday Balloon Bunting, £7.85, Amazon
End of Lockdown Party Banner, £7.50, eBay
A birthday backdrop
A unicorn backdrop will make the perfect photo opportunity...
Unicorn backdrop, £16.99, Amazon
Game on backdrop, £11.99, Amazon
Gold Heart Backdrop, £8.99, Party Pieces
Pastel gold streamer & balloon backdrop, £22.99, Party Pieces
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
You might not be leaving the house, but it doesn't mean your cake can't be beautifully decorated! Whatever you do, don't forget the candles and you'll need matches or a lighter (don't forget!).
24 metallic pink candles, £6.99, Amazon
Gold Curly Candles (x12), £3.49, Party Pieces
Champion candles, £6, Selfridges
A crown or a party hat and maybe even a tiara
Ok, this is more for the birthday extroverts. Make sure the birthday girl or boy is wearing a crown.
Birthday Girl tiara, £15, Monsoon
Tiara for the Birthday princess, £10.19, Amazon
It's My Birthday headband, £9, John Lewis
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Party hats, £13, Notonthehightstreet.com
Happy Birthday Hat, £7.99, 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
Cocktail props
How fab are these personalised straws?!
Drink skewer, £3.95, Notonthehighstreet
Tableware
Celebrate a birthday and lockdown lifting with this fun tableware and decorations party kit.
End of Lockdown Party Kit, £11.99, Amazon
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, £14.99, Amazon
Disco ball, £11.99, Amazon
Something a little extra?
A birthday in 2021 can still be extremely extra...
Kinder Piñata Birthday Kit, £30.19, Amazon
Tiki garden party, £18.99, Amazon
Rainbow numbers, from £20, Paper Dreams
Pastel garland, £18, Paper Dreams
Mix It Up Giant Doughnut Wall, £28.99, Party Pieces
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.
Karaoke
Oh, go on, how fun! If you think the house could do with a boogie, how about buying your own at-home karaoke kit.
Daewoo Bluetooth Portable Karaoke Machine, £134.99, Amazon
Party food and drink and at-home experiences
Forget slaving away in the kitchen, go for something a little different for a celebration...
Party food, prices starting at £10, Ocado
Sandwich platter, prices starting at £7, Morrisons
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! If in doubt, just order a Domino's.
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.
Brownie Eyed Boi brownies, from £12, Brownie Eyed Boi
Chocolate Gift Hamper, £27.50, Hotel Chocolat
Alcohol
Ok, this is an adults-only birthday party requirement, but plenty of booze is required for a birthday at home.
Monthly wine subscriptions, from £39, thewinelist.net
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
Moet & Chandon Personalised Champagne, £58.99, Selfridges
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Drinking games
Let's get the party started!
Trunk of Drunk Drinking Games, £12, Amazon
Prosecco Drinking Games: Pick a Game, Pour Some Bubbles, and Get the Party Started, £7.99, Waterstones
Monopoly FRIENDS Edition, £23.99, Amazon
The best drinking games to play
Never Have I Ever
Cards Against Humanity
Truth Or Dare
Bingo
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Music
If you're taking advantage of the new rules and hosting a gathering outside, some good music always gets the party going. The Sonos One SL has incredible sound quality and it's voice command-controlled, so you can easily skip to your favourite songs.
Sonos One (Gen 2), £179, Amazon
If you prefer your music player to come in pink, the Wonderboom also offers a big, bassy sound. Plus, it's waterproof, dustproof and drop-proof, so you won't spend all day worrying about it.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, £69.99, John Lewis
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Outdoor bars
A garden party essential for summer 2021
The Little Lily Garden Bar, from £229, Etsy
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Habitat Beach Bar Gazebo with Stools, £350, Argos
Murphy Farmhouse Bar, £160, Amazon
Garden Bar Party Hut, £739, Amazon
Cuban Fiesta Mini Bar Stand, £27.99, Party Pieces
Garden accessories
From lanterns to fire pits, little extras will create the perfect party space.
Lucena Cream Tassel Solar Lanterns, £34.99, Lights4Fun
Business & Pleasure Market beach Garden and Patio Umbrella, £580, Selfridges
Jabanda Metal Firepit, £189, MADE
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