This year feels over without ever truly getting started. Ever since Covid-19 took over, nothing has seemed "normal" to say the least. Outages in stores, wearing masks, being confined at home, closures of businesses and buildings - it has been a roller coaster! But now we have big choices to make. Choices on birthday celebrations. To do, or not to do, lists. Obviously, there won't be parties. Okay, most likely... We can't have anyone over. Even if someone wanted to, my husband works closely with the public. So closely, that in less than 2 weeks time, there had been at least 6 cases announced on the overnight crew alone at his store. No one who fears getting sick wants to be around us.
So how do I make these birthdays special?
I've been prodding around Pinterest. After all, I know I'm not the only parent with this question. On the Nextdoor.com website, I've seen local moms asking strangers to send birthday cards or drive by in a parade during a certain time frame on the day. The neighbor across from us had a police PR car come by, followed by folks from around town in a parade! It was great just watching the turnout. Fantastic ideas! But I wanted to see what else is being done. I have 3 kids celebrating their birthdays before Christmas this year. The way things look right now, there won't be much celebrating going on for the rest of this year - nothing with extended family and most friends at least. Even school was talking about staying virtual, or not at all, until at least September 8th. So glad they revised that to begin in person and online August 24th! My son might actually be able to have a real party...
I have a son turning 12, a daughter turning 8 and the youngest is turning 4. I want their days to be special, even if it is just us. I don't want the memory of this years birthday being simply that it was during a pandemic.
What plans have I come up with?
The oldest daughter comes first in just two weeks. She has been wanting a unicorn mermaid party. First things first - I saw a great idea for starting her special day right. When she wakes up that morning, I will have decorated as though there was a party coming. I'm thinking about having my husband get her a balloon to hang from her bed. Or even putting a bunch of balloons in front of her door so that when she opens it, they spill out around her! 
Well, maybe not... in case her little sister opens the door before she does... In which case I found this idea instead! 
Breakfast will be pancakes that are decked out with whipped topping and strawberry syrup. I found a new recipe I wanted to try out just for her. 
She will decide what we have for dinner that day too. And then we will eat on plates from the Dollar Tree, as I picked up some mermaid ones that are perfect for her theme. Next is a mermaid cake, followed by presents! Or maybe I will let her open gifts before dinner... We shall see what the day looks like closer to that time. One idea that stands out, though, is to have a scavenger hunt, of a sort. With clues that lead her from one birthday treasure to another. My mother has already sent gifts and I was thinking that wrapping each one individually and having my daughter find them would be something fun just for her.
Dollar Tree finds that could be helpful if you need the same theme.
Then comes my son.
He is turning 12. Pre-teens are coming on strong with this one. He's actually showing darker hair above his upper lip! I'm in so much trouble...
He had wanted another gaming style party. Being that his birthday is in October, he might actually have a chance at having friends over. IF the pandemic craziness winds down. If not, I have a couple ideas percolating already.
His day will start much like his sisters. But I'm thinking that he will spend a good majority of it playing video games. I'll have to find a cool gamer cake - or come up with my own design. But I think I will reach out and get anyone who is willing, to write a card to him. In the cards, I'm going to ask that everyone write out a piece of advice. Something for him to grow on. I think we will also do a printable Bingo I found here.
Last, but not least...
We have the toddler. This little darling is turning 4 already! And her dreams of unicorns dancing around her birthday are often told to me. That, and her desire for more mermaid toys. Her birthday is dangerously close to Thanksgiving. Plenty of time to hope things clear up, but if not, plenty of time to plan. We don't really enjoy combining her birthday with Thanksgiving dinner. She doesn't want us calling her our "Little Butterball Baby". And who can blame her?! So, I am planning to have her unicorns stationed all around the house for her special day. I'm going to decorate with mermaids and unicorns. She's going to have special pancakes too. Her day can stay simple. She's only 4. And so long as she can open presents, she's a happy girl! Oh and, lest I forget, her unicorn cake that Daddy found at work... If you haven't seen these new ones yet, they are awesome! 
Even if they do have Red40 and other artificial coloring. (But that is for another blog post.) She has been reminding us that she wants the unicorn cake nearly every week now.
Dollar Tree finds that could be helpful for your unicorn lovers.
So what about you? In what ways are you making the kid (or kids) in your life have special birthdays when parties aren't acceptable? I'd love to hear your ideas, so leave me a comment below! And be sure to check out my Pinterest board. I have party ideas of all kinds at the ready! Including pandemic ideas.
