Tamara Fifer
At the beginning of 2020, no one knew just how long this pandemic would last. Now more than a year since the pandemic has begun we’ve asked some of Memphis’ parents how they’ve celebrated their child’s birthday. Creative no-contact or socially distant party ideas for children have emerged.
REMINDER: Memphis Parent supports social distancing in these uncertain times. Please celebrate responsibly, as even a small gathering could recklessly spread the coronavirus and endanger others.
“We did two separate parties with both sides of the family,” says Tiffany Pearson, whose daughter Naima turned 9 this year. They kept each party under 10 people and enjoyed showering little Naima with gifts. “We have a very close-knit family. She’s the only child and it was important for us to spend her birthday with both sets of grandparents,” says Pearson.
Teens can be more tech-savvy, and video chatting could be redundant if they are Facetiming for every call anyway. “I rented a hotel room for my daughter Mara and her four friends,” says Zipporah Chapman. “They ate pizza, wings, and other snacks, then they watched movies while they hung out.”
Chapman’s daughter, Mara, is 16. She has a core group of friends that she has grown up with pre-COVID. “Mara is a homebody and wanted to have a party in person; this was the perfect solution.” The good thing about hotels is that they are supposed to sanitize the rooms daily, and renting a room can prevent contamination in your own home.
Drive-up parties have been a popular alternative as well. Tamara Fifer ordered professional yard signs for both of her young children Charity, 11, and Chance, 9. Charity loved the signs we got for her birthday,” says Fifer. “They are extremely convenient and add so much fun.”
“When we did Chance’s birthday, we also ordered a water slide,” says Fifer. “Summer birthdays are easier.”
Now that the winter months are upon us, parents can explore online options that keep their families safe. There are numerous apps to make video chat birthday parties fun. Parents can try the House Party App which allows you to host parties and play games through the app. There is also virtual Uno, Heads Up, Scattergories, and Yahtzee with Buddies. These apps allow for fun to be had by all ages.