Talk about a weird, awkward time to celebrate your birthday.
People are feeling stressed, scared, and lonelier than ever before. On the flip side, birthdays prompt us to reach out and let someone know how much you care about them. Now is actually a perfect time to do exactly that!
When I started writing this, my mom's birthday was around the corner. Challenged to work around lockdown restrictions, I started brainstorming small things I could do to mark the special occasion. Since other people are in the same boat, I figured it might be helpful to share what I came up with :)
Here are some cute, contactless gestures that would brighten anyone's day.
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Send a snail mail birthday card
Getting actual paper mail is such a nice surprise! (As long as it's not bills, flyers, or those letters from the city when your street is being shut down for construction.)
Consider ordering a card from your favorite stationary store (mine is Boucle et Papier) or finding ones from local designers on Etsy.
Pharmacies are also a handy resource. Most of them stock greeting cards, but sometimes the selection isn't fabulous. When pickings are slim, I choose a blank card with the cutest cover.
If leaving your home is inconvenient or nerve-wracking, no worries. A handwritten letter, or note scribbled on the back of a photo, gets the job done too :)
Canada Post is operating way slower than usual, so cushion your time frame accordingly. And make sure you have stamps!
Video conference dinner party
By now, people know their way around digital dining to some degree. This year, we virtually celebrated Passover seder and Easter lunch with our families. I was expecting we'd have fun with the novelty of it all, but found myself beyond surprised by the true warmth and happiness that actually came through our computer screens. It was lovely! Obviously wouldn't trade the real thing, but connecting over a video chat meal wasn't bad at all.
Bonus points if you're able to coordinate a shared meal -- like having pizza delivered to the birthday person's house, and a second one for yourself. Then set up your computer/phone/tablet and enjoy the same meal together!
Drinks work too lol.
The SAQ is delivering to people's homes again. Otherwise, a number of restaurants are currently allowed to sell bottles with take-out.
Deliver an ice cream cake
Cookies, cupcakes, donuts... Thanks to food delivery apps, there is a long list of fun treats to leave on someone's doorstep. However, not much beats having Dairy Queen ice cream cake on your birthday. They deliver through Skip The Dishes, and you can ask them to write a message on top (just put it in the delivery notes).
Big thanks Josh for this tip ;)
Deliver flowers
Pretty self-explanatory. There are so many gorgeous florists on/around the island that recently reopened and offer delivery. We ordered an arrangement from Oh Fleurs (Hudson) for my mom. The flowers were beautiful, so fresh and pretty and thoughtfully arranged. My mom is a flower person, these were a big hit.
I've also heard good things about Le Jardin de Mathilde (Plateau) and Fig Fleurs (West Island). Haven't personally shopped at either yet. But, if instagram is any indication, their work is lovely.
Just call
Easy, low key, and (let's be honest) probably the thing your loved one really wants right now, second only to finally seeing you in person.
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Would love to hear other ideas for contactless celebration, if you have some! And definitely me know how it goes if you try out any of the ones above :)
Image credit (cake): Inc
Image credit (stationary): Hey Nae Daily
Image credit (flowers): Time Out
