Grab the party hats! How to celebrate your birthday in isolation

If your birthday is coming up and you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps about not leaving your home due to strict self-isolation orders, then fear not, because there are still plenty of ways to celebrate your special day from inside your home. While large gatherings with friends are strictly off-limits for the time being, you can still stay in touch with loved ones through technology. Or if you’re needing a bit of relaxation time, there’s a perfect option for that too.

Tune in for a virtual movie night

Although a visit to the cinema with friends is out of the picture this year, you can still tune in to the same movies as your friends and family from the comfort of your own lounge rooms by hosting a virtual movie night. Get everyone to chuck on their pyjamas, grab some snacks and pick a couple of the latest Netflix films or television shows to watch together — but apart.

Netflix Party allows you to synchronise your movie and chat while watching to keep you all connected while self-isolating. Simply download the free Netflix Party app to get started, then choose a movie you’ll all enjoy. Once you’ve selected a movie, you’ll need to click the “NP” button on the screen and click “start party”. A unique URL will be created that can be sent to friends and family who you want to be apart of your virtual viewing. All they’ll need to do is click on the party URL to be redirected to the Netflix website and click the NP button to join. If you need some inspiration for what to watch, check out some of the top programs currently available on Netflix.

Host a video chat party

Technology is helping to keep everyone connected amid the Covid-19 outbreak and it can help to make your birthday special as well, with plenty of video chat apps available to help you chat with your friends and family from the safety of your homes. Apps such as FaceTime, HouseParty, Messenger Video, Google Hangouts and Zoom are great ways to stay in touch on your birthday. Simply select a time that works best for your loved ones and get everyone to connect via the app for a virtual celebration. The plus side is there won’t be any mess!

You can get everyone to pour themselves a glass of bubbly or grab a beer for the occasion. Or why not bake yourself a cake and get the grandkids to ‘help’ blow out the candles from their side of the screen.

Treat yourself with a relaxing spa day

If you’re not up for a big celebration this year, you can always sit back and enjoy a relaxing spa day at home. Light yourself some candles around the bathtub, put some relaxing music on and take a soak in the warm water. If you’ve got time on your hands you could even make your own beauty face masks out of ingredients in the kitchen pantry and help to rejuvenate your skin. Or perhaps you could try your hand at doing your own nails. Just because you’re in self-isolation doesn’t mean you have to stop treating yourself!