Is anyone else wondering how we’re already staring down September? Where did summer go?
While the pandemic might have given us the unexpected gift of much-needed family time, it’s also blurred our days and left us trying to remember what we did this summer.
That’s the beauty of celebrations. Whether you’re holding space for a big, momentous milestone or just a small, everyday moment, you’re creating a special memory you and your loved ones will remember for years to come.
So how do you make birthdays, milestones, and moments extra special during the age of social distancing? Here are a few ideas:
- Schedule virtual coffee dates.If you’re missing your friends, make time for every-so-often talks over coffee or tea. Pajamas and top knots strongly encouraged! Or better yet? Go the extra mile with virtual brunches. If going digital seems a little awkward at first, don’t worry—you’ll get used to it!
- Plan a potluck. Keep your distance this summer by coordinating an outdoor picnic where every family brings their own food. While it might not be as fun as backyard parties in the past, you’ll be able to invite loved ones who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 like elderly relatives and friends with underlying medical conditions.
- Send old-fashioned letters. Remember when you were little and used to excitedly check the mailbox for letters from pen pals? Bring those memories back by embracing snail mail with postcards, brief notes of encouragement, care packages, and even confetti bombs.
- Celebrate birthdays to the max. While cake and ice cream may have cut it last year, we could all use a little more fun right now! Channel your festive side with homemade decorations like banners, balloons, games, and more. And if you can swing it, order and ship local bakeshop cookies, donuts, or cupcakes to attendees—not only will you be supporting local businesses, but you’ll also make everyone feel a little more loved.
- Combine digital celebrations with creativity. For kids’ parties, ship or drop off supplies to friends, so all the little ones can craft together but separately. Or plan a Zoom scavenger hunt with common, household items. And for grownups, create a private Facebook group to collect special comments, plan FaceTime calls by the hour, or organize one big drive-by party, complete with balloons, posters, and lots of honking.
How have you celebrated milestones this year? Share your ideas in the comments!
