My birthday last year was during the first lockdown, and I only saw people from a distance, at the end of the drive. This year, it falls two weeks before the third stage of the UK Roadmap, which is a bit frustrating, but at least I am able to go outside of the house this year! If your birthday falls in the next few months and you are wondering how to celebrate, I have put together a few ideas, based on the stages of the UK Roadmap, to give you some inspiration.
Stage 1 (provisional end date 12th April, with some easing of restrictions from 29th March)
Restrictions are still pretty tight in this stage, although the official stay at home mandate is due to be lifted at the end of March. You are currently only able to meet up with one other person outside, which does make birthday celebrations a little tricky. I would suggest virtual celebrations, for those wanting to celebrate with lots of people, for the time being. However, from 29th March, the rule of 6 is reintroduced, so you can increase your gatherings in an outside public space to 6.
Zoom Quiz
I know, I know, you might be sick of them by now, but they are great for getting the family or your group of friends together to celebrate an occasion (or just another Friday night in). You can spice things up a bit by playing drinking games, asking those in attendance to each host a round or by planning a surprise for the birthday guy or girl. Just bear in mind that you will hear the phrase “you’re muted” at least once during the evening…
Online Escape Game
There are so many games out there now that can be played online, including a variety of virtual escape games, which can be played across different households. My sister hosted one for her 25th birthday in February, and it was really good fun – I highly recommend (plus, good for people like me who are claustrophobic, and cannot imagine competing in an actual real life escape room).
Picnic with a Friend or Friends (after 29th March)
You are currently able to meet up with one other person, which will increase to five others shortly, not just for exercise. This means you can head out to the local park, or beach if you are lucky enough to live near the coast, for a catch up over coffee. You could celebrate with a picnic, just make sure you check out restrictions on consuming alcohol in public, before you bring along the prosecco.
Stage 2 (provisional end date 17th May)
At this stage, restrictions have begun to lift and the rule of 6 is back, baby! This is the stage my birthday will fall in, and I have been looking into what I can do with friends and family over the May Day bank holiday. You are now able to eat and drink at establishments that have outside seating, and you can also ensure you are looking tip top for your birthday as hair and beauty is due to have reopened (thank the lord!). Also, your loved ones have no excuses about getting you a gift, as non essential shops have opened back up – yay!
Brunch with the Girls
This was first on my list for my own celebrations. I am a sucker for a bottomless brunch and personally love the Turtle Bay offering, which includes burgers as well as more traditional brunch options, as well as bottomless cocktails, which are delicious! You need to sit outside, so bring a jumper if the weather is chilly, but yay to getting a social life back in time for Spring birthdays!
Family Meal
If family is what you have been missing, you will be able to dine outside with up to 5 other people from your extended family come mid April. As far as I am aware, the rule of 6 means 6 people gathering at one time, and this doesn’t have to remain the same 6, so you could in theory head out for breakfast, lunch and dinner with different members of the family, if there are a lot of you, whilst staying within the rules.
Drinks
If you just want a nice drink, that’s ok! The rule has been scrapped on needing to eat with your drink, as well as curfews, so you can head out for drinks with friends (as long as there are only 6 of you) and stay out celebrating past 10pm, woohoo!
A Trip to a Theme Park
Theme Parks, Zoos and other outside entertainment venues are due to open up on 12th April, meaning you can head off to a local attraction with friends or family, again sticking to the rule of 6. You could choose to ride an adrenaline inducing rollercoaster, or keep it tame with a game of adventure golf – the limited world is your oyster.
Drive in Cinema
If you have been missing the cinema, never fear, outside drive in cinemas are reopening on 12th April, so you can catch a film with your household or bubble, and arrange for others to go along in their own cars as well, to make it a group event!
Self Catering Stay with Your Household
If you just want to get away, good news is you can, but only with your own household or bubble, at select self catering venues in April! Pack that bottle of bubbly, find somewhere that has a hot tub, and get booking that mini break!
Stage 3 (provisional end date 21st June)
So by stage 3, more restrictions will have lifted, including the opportunity to travel, if that’s what you are looking to do. Meeting outside with up to 30 people should now be allowed, opening up the chance to celebrate with more people on your birthday. If you fancy celebrating inside, the good news is that the rule of 6 or 2 households will be in place, so you can have that afternoon tea indoors if it starts raining (well, this is Britain after all). Indoor hospitality will also be opening up, including restaurants and cinemas.
Escape Room
You’ve done them online but, by mid May, you should be allowed to do them in real life again! You will be allowed to be inside with either 5 others, or joining together another household with your own, so get booking!
Garden Party
If you have been waiting patiently to show off your gardening work over lockdown, now is your time to shine as garden gatherings are due to be allowed once more. Whether you are hoping for an afternoon tea, cocktails with the girls or a family barbecue, you can relax and unwind outside with loved ones.
Sit Down Meal
Fancy a meal inside the actual restaurant rather than huddled under blankets outside? Good news, from 17th May restaurants and bars are due to be opening up their doors once more and allowing inside dining. Table service is still in place, but who liked queuing at the bar anyway?
Beach Barbecue
If you want, you can head further afield, and the beach has been calling to many people over lockdown. Check the local rules, but beach barbecues are a possibility in some areas, after a certain time of day. Invite up to 29 of your friends if you so wish, and head down to the beach for a chilled out birthday on the sand.
Romantic Weekend Away
If you have been apart from your partner, due to living situations, you may be looking forward to this one the most! Domestic travel is allowed, including stays in hotels and other indoor hospitality venues. That means you can actually spend the night together, in a hotel room, potentially for the first time in several months!
Spa Day
The past year has been stressful. From 17th May, you should be able to book that spa day you have been craving. Indulge yourself in a treatment or two, enjoy an onsite lunch and chill out by the pool. You deserve it!
After 21st June, in theory, everything will be open back up including nightclubs, and events such as festivals and indoor celebrations for birthdays should be feasible. Social contact limits should also be lifted. Let’s cross everything!
*I have written this post, following guidelines I have found on Gov.UK regarding the RoadMap. As far as I am aware, I have interpreted the restrictions correctly, however please do read up yourself first before booking anything, and these dates and guidelines are all subject to change, depending on a variety of factors.
