8 Ways To Throw A Virtual Lockdown Party That Aren’t Just A Group Zoom Sesh

I’m not sure how I never noticed this before, but apparently every person I know was born in March, April or May. My social media is packed full of images of people lamenting their lockdown birthday celebrations and I totally get it.

I’m turning the big 3-0 next month and my grand plans are obviously not possible now. Clearly, there are bigger things to worry about right now, and staying inside is the right thing to do, but that doesn’t mean the birthday thing doesn’t still suck.

There’s obviously apps like Zoom or Houseparty, which are both great. But I think we lockdown babies deserve a little more than what has become the everyday normal thing to do. We’re talking how to jazz those video group chats all the way up.

Being an attention seeker who refuses to slip into my next decade without SOME sort of event to mark the occasion, I’ve been doing my research on how to throw a responsible lockdown party that’s still actually fun.

8 Quarantine Party Ideas That Aren’t Just A Group Chat

#1 Organise an online craft class

 

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A post shared by ClassBento (@classbento) on Apr 14, 2020 at 12:52am PDT

Everyone is desperate for something to do anyway, right? I personally have decided to get my nearest and dearest together for a private craft class. I’m going through ClassBento because they’ve moved their huge range of classes with local artisans online, and will happily organise private lessons for you.

#2 Drinking games for video chats

 

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A post shared by BEER PONG LORD (@beerponglord) on Apr 15, 2020 at 3:08pm PDT

If crafting isn’t your jam, or if you’d like a combo of different options, you can always turn to a classic party favourite: the drinking game. Obviously you’ll need to adapt them just a little to work over video, but we’ve made a list of options for you to make it easy. Read it here.

#3 Get bougie with wine tasting

 

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A post shared by City Winery Brisbane (@citywinerybne) on Apr 15, 2020 at 7:20pm PDT

If you want the booze but you prefer your drinking to be a little more *fancy*, plenty of local joints around Australia are offering wine pairing and tasting classes. Like Printhie Winery in New South Wales who will send you out the tasting pack then walk you through it on Facebook Live every Friday. Or City Winery in Brisbane who are offering regular food and wine pairings, wine and cheese tastings and wine blending workshops online.

#4 Log into a virtual club night

 

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A post shared by Room 2 Radio (@room2radio) on Mar 17, 2020 at 6:33am PDT

You can’t go to the club, but you can bring the club to your lounge room/ the lounge room of all your mates. There’s a surprising number of virtual club experiences, like the live DJ sets of Room 2 Radio, or Sydney’s iconic Stonewall gay club live-streaming shows with DJs, Drag icons and comedy acts. Plus, when you’re done you can just roll into bed.

#5 Take in a little theatre

 

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A post shared by Bangarra Dance Theatre (@bangarradancetheatre) on Feb 5, 2020 at 8:18pm PST

If you miss getting dolled up and taking in a show as much as I do, you’ll be excited to know there are virtual options. The Sydney Opera House is sharing sharing archival footage, live broadcasts and premieres, live recordings of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s most famous musicals are online for the first time ever, plus so many other options.

#6 Pick a dress-up theme

I’ll fully admit I came up with this one purely because I bought a very over-the-top hot pink sequin dress as an impulse lockdown purchase. Now I’m determined to wear it on my birthday so I’m making everyone dress in a disco theme. What other chance do we have to put pants on at the moment?

#7 Get food and booze delivered

 

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A post shared by Tequila Mockingbird Restaurant (@tequilamockingbirdrestaurant) on Apr 1, 2020 at 2:47pm PDT

There is no party without delightful meals and a few cocktails. Luckily you don’t have to prepare them yourself. Many local bars and restaurants have moved to take away and delivery. Here’s a list of some awesome food choices around Australia, and here’s where to get a delish pre-made cocktail delivered from.

#8 You can still get presents

Ok this is more to sneakily show your loved ones than for the actual birthday person, but if gifts are an option, there are plenty of cute and thoughtful things you can get delivered — from balloons and flowers, to DIY meal kits, to cocktail subscriptions, to craft boxes, to personalised second-hand book packs.

(Lead Image: Pexels / Inga Seliverstova)