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.
Will we all be heading into another lockdown? That's the question on everyone's lips right now, and while some of us might be planning small birthday get-togethers at the pub, or at a restaurant, some of us will be celebrating birthdays indoors. If you're still shielding, heading out for afternoon tea, going out for cocktails or jetting off on a city break might not be for you. Here, we give you a list of things you can buy to make a lockdown birthday all the more special…
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.
Personalised birthday card, £3.29, 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, £10.99, Amazon
Pink balloons 79-piece set, £9.99, Amazon
Ginger Ray Ombre Pink Balloon Wall Party Decoration Pack, £19.99, Notonthehightstreet.com
Champagne balloon, £11.99, 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 sparkly birthday face mask or a Princess shield?
Birthday Queen face mask, £11.24, Etsy
Princess face shield, £11.80, Etsy
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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
Giant Personalised Photo Number Decorations, £45, Notonthehighstreet.com
Ginger Ray Rose Gold Happy Birthday Balloon Bunting, £5, Amazon
A birthday backdrop
A unicorn backdrop will make the perfect photo opportunity...
Unicorn backdrop, £16.99, 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!), £15, Marks & Spencer
Cookies and Cream birthday cake, £12, Tesco (order at least a week in advance)
Happy Birthday Biscuit Tin, £35, Biscuiteers
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Birthday candles
But whatever you do, don't forget the candles and you'll need matches or a lighter (don't forget!).
Meri Meri Toot Sweet birthday candles pack of 24, £5.50, Selfridges
Meri Meri unicorn candle, £6, Selfridges
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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
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Tiara for the Birthday princess, £8.99, Amazon
It's My Birthday headband, £9. John Lewis
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Party hats, £13, Notonthehightstreet.com
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
Well, there's no reason for a ballgown really, is there?
The One Where I Was In Lockdown FRIENDS T-shirt, £12.50, Amazon
Cocktail props
How fab are these personalised straws?!
Drink skewer, £3.16, 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, £9.99, Amazon
Disco light with remote control, £12.99, Amazon
Rotating disco ball, £17.99, 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.
119-piece set, £18.49, Amazon
Ginger Ray birthday pamper tent, £44.99, Amazon
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.
Alcohol
Ok, this is an adults-only birthday party requirement, but plenty of booze is required for a lockdown birthday.
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, £7.95, Waterstones
The best drinking games to play over Zoom
Never Have I Ever
Cards Against Humanity
Truth Or Dare
Bingo
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