Special birthdays in lockdown

We held a birthday party for my mother who was 100 on zoom. We were able to be with her and we had afternoon tea delivered to us and to our son and his family. Friends and family round the world also joined us.

I won’t forget when the first lockdown started last year as it was my 70th birthday and looks like I will be spending this year’s birthday the same way. DD’s turned up with my presies the previous day. One was a very posh handbag which I have yet to use!! Dh and I celebrated on the day with a meal of lobster and a bottle of champagne. It was quite nice but we had no idea it would be the same a year later.

It was my son's 30th last year, (he still lives with us) and our Ruby anniversary recently. All we could do was a takeaway for each occasion and gifts bought online, rather than browsing local shops.
And I think one of the saddest things is, in talking to my neighbour, her Mum died this time last year, they have still not been able to have a wake and actually feel it's now gone too far past the date to do so.

I was 70 in January had flowers, balloons, Rick Steins vouchers, champagne and various other lovely gifts but the highlight of the day was when my DD and DGD’s turned up at the door all with masks on to wish me a happy birthday. Obviously they couldn’t come in and like another poster on here I cried loads when they left. So much was planned for a big get together with all the family originally ?. DH gave me some gorgeous Tiffany jewellery and made a lovely evening meal. We toasted the occasion with champagne while FaceTiming other family. Not the day I was hoping for but ‘worse things happen at sea’ as my DM used to say! Eldest DS is 50 today and DSIL 50 in two weeks. Big celebrations planned for us all when this is over.

On my birthday, to make up for not being able to meet with family and friends, my daughter arranged for a special personal video message to be sent to me by Mike Bushell. He spoke very warmly and used my name. It was a lovely surprise as he talked as if he knew me! He charges a very reasonable amount for the service and donates the money to Children in Need. There are a number of celebrities offering the same thing but some of them charge huge fees!

My mother was 100 last July. Her family are all around the world and no one could travel. We all did a video segment and a techie minded grandson stitched all together with some nice linking features ( eg google earth zooming to various places) and also put up photos of her for each decade. I put together a 'photobook' (suggestion from gransnet person) with pictures of some favourite places, memorable occasions and of course as many of her descendants as I could get photos of. All worked out on the day and postal tributes arrived in good time including one from Betty at the Palace!

Of course lots of flowers and cards and some thoughtful presents.

Last year my son got married but was reluctant to tell me when, it got to the point where I thought I wasn't even going to be invited, it turns out it was the day after my Birthday so that we could clebrate oth ( he lives abroad so it is expensive for me to visit), I got back the day before the lockdown started. This year I believe my daughter is arranging a surprise (she keeps telling me it's my birthday soon, whch obviously I know so I think she's telling me that because there is something else she wants to tell me but can't or it would spoil the surprise). My grand children are amazing at arranging lock down celebrations, the last was a murder mystery evening they arranged at home for my daughter and son in law to celebrate thier anniversary. I have to say that I feel like one of the luckiest Mum/Nans allive and not even lockdown can break our bonds :0)

My 70th will be in lockdown. I will be alone. I will buy a pizza and bottle of prosecco

I was 70 in April last year. We had planned to visit my daughter and her family in Italy, taking my son, daughter in law and their 3 girls with us. Of course this couldn't happen and we all glibly said that we'd go next year instead, never dreaming we'd still be in same situation. On the day, the local family arrived with cake that we ate together over the garden fence, and then my husband cooked a lovely meal for himself and me. Not the celebration I'd been hoping for but the best we could do given the circumstances.

Re my last poster, I am paying for him and his partner to have a break (not " partners" as I typed) !!!!!

My OH was 70 in January. Our younger daughter got a load of friends (some of them from way back!) to make a little video each to say happy birthday and whatever else they wanted to say and she edited it all together. It was a total surprise and just wonderful! She has also put together a book of photographs from during his lifetime but he doesn't know this yet as we haven't been able to see our daughters since before Christmas.

My son will be 50 on Friday. Luckily I am in a bubble with him and his partner and their teenage son so they are coming over to me. Unfortunately his two other sons will not be able to come and nor will other family members. (We usually have quite large family get togethers). I have tried to make it special and I have had posters made with pictures of him each year of his life. With regard to presents I have made a box full of brochures and a note saying I will pay for him and his partners to have a break away when they can. His (grown up) sons are promising to take him out for a meal once this is over as their presents to him.

Many in our family have had significant birthdays during lockdown or tier 3. I think it will be a case of one big family party once we are given the ok to do so.

Last year was our Golden Wedding, son’s 40th and elder son and wife were coming from abroad. We celebrated as much as possible with Zoom and wonderful on line presents. But feel that’s that. It’s gone. So will just move forward hopefully.

Our daughters sent us a Rick Stein meal( kit to make), a 3 month subscription for flowers to arrive and we arranged champagne FaceTime. And got cards and bottle of lovely perfume & vouchers for garden centre through the post.
Had a lovely birthday !

My DH had his 60th in January, and we had planned to be 'somewhere with our toes in the sand'. Of course that didn't happen.
I sent out invites on an app called VidDay, for people to add a short video with birthday greetings. Then you add a background and put all the videos in order, and they send it to the recipient on the day. It was really lovely, we had laughter and some tears.
Througout the day he had quite a few phone calls as well, and the kids and GC showed up on the doorstep so it turns out he had a very happy day indeed.
I will turn 60 later this year and don't really want a fuss anyway, but hopefully we can get together then for a family dinner.

A significant one came and went during lockdown. I didn't want a big event though we would have had a good meal in a restaurant with close family. Main treat was a cancelled luxury Caribbean cruise.

Ps sorry I didn't actually answer the OP question.I just needed a moan.. Ooops

I turned 50 a week after our 1st lockdown in 2020.No chance of getting Balloons or even a cake then! My DD turned 30 in April,by then we were able to order some nice surprises online for her,but she spent the day alone and,and then DS turned 21! We had huge plans for a big summer party with all the family flying over (We are in Ireland) most family in UK including DD and Grandchildren,my DM and siblings were booked to fly over.It was to be a big Gala with a coach trip and Caravans for guests to stay in.We had been talking about it for 2 years previously.And now my Birthday is coming round again and I can't believe we are still in this disaster! My DH (who turned 50 a few days before lockdown) was able to have dinner out and do an activity I'd arranged,plus beautiful balloons and cakes says "what's the big deal and I should get over it!" I feel for anyone who have had plans spoiled.But for some of us,its the 2nd time round...and hopefully the last! Fyi I'm not bothered too much about normal birthdays,just the big ones.When I turned 40 I'd just had major surgery and almost died,so we always said we would go all out for the 50! Thankfully we all have modern Technology,its not the same but is wonderful nevertheless. Plus the end is insight now

We've just done extra special presents, phone calls and Zoom meetings - with an IOU for a big, double-celebration 'do' next year, that's if circumstances allow!

Hear hear timetogo2016!
We’ve had 2 40th and 2 70th birthdays during the pandemic also several friends have had significant birthdays.
We will have a huge joint do when we are allowed ??

I had my 60th b/day last May and dh had his 60th two weeks ago tomorrow.
My family turned up ay the front door,we all kept our distance
But oh lord it was emotional seeing your son`s/Dil`s/grandchildren and not being able to have a love/hug and kiss.
I cried my eyes out when i shut the door.
And dh`s daughter and family did the same for him.
Once this nightmare is over we are going to have one heck of a party.

Had my 60 th last January just before lockdown and was so grateful I think it was the last time I went out properly!

I had one last year. Luckily it was at a time when we were allowed visit another household in a garden: friends invited us over and we took out own picnic (my insistence) plus a cake and champers to share. (DH was driving so basically sniffed my glass!) Not quite the birthday celebration I had hoped for, but it was still happy and memorable.

We've had several special birthdays during the year, and another to come before Lockdown is over. Extra thought about the gift and a Zoom meeting are the best we can do, but they are all adults, it's a small GS I think is hardest hit. He had his last birthday under Lockdown and another due before this is over. He is an 'only' so it's hard for him not to have his cousins and friends with him on the day.