Let’s Get Virtual: Digital Celebrations to Mark the Milestones

Let’s Get Virtual: Digital Celebrations to Mark the Milestones

Although it seems like the digital world will continue to be the only place that we can gather in numbers greater than two for some time, there are some milestone dates that are just too special to let pass by without a celebration. 

Whether it’s a birthday party, baby shower, hen/ stag do or even your wedding itself, a digital-do is never going to replace the real thing but while we keep apart to stay safe, why not get together with your loved ones online to virtually mark the occasion? And we’re not talking about your standard Zoom group video catch up– we’re talking well-planned, highly-entertaining virtual events thrown with the expert help of event professionals. 

So, if you’ve had to cancel or postpone an upcoming celebration, keep reading for some ideas for how to mark these moments – virtually . . . 

For A Boozy Birthday Evening

If you’ve got a birthday coming up (or know someone who does), celebrate the day by carrying out the same activities you’d be doing in an alternate reality where lockdown wasn’t in place – getting a little tipsy. Bring the party atmosphere to you and your guests with the help of companies like Mixology Brothers and Chase Distillery who are delivering cocktail ingredients boxes and offering private virtual cocktail-making classes. Invite your friends to join the virtual event and you and everyone tuned in will learn from expert mixologists about how to make these delicious drinks in the comfort of your own home.

Or if cocktails aren’t your thing, why not all dress up for a fancy evening of sparkling wine tasting with friends and family? With the purchase of their sparkling wines, leading British-based wine producer, Nyetimber is offering private digital tastings with an expert who will talk to through the process behind the production as well as a tutored tasting of your selection. 

For A Hen/Stag Do to Remember 

Calling all bridesmaids and groomsmen! If you had planned a big raucous hen or stag do that has had to be postponed, don’t let the original dates go by without doing anything for the bride or groom. This period has been especially hard and disappointing for those who have had their wedding plans turned upside down and one way to bring them some joy is by hosting a surprise virtual stag or hen party while the original plans are on ice. 

As well as the dirty quizzes and drinking games that can be carried out over Zoom, make the event extra special by enlisting some help from professional entertainers. Whether it’s a world-class magician to blow you all away with incredible interactive tricks, or an expert silhouette artist to masterfully capture your likeness with only some paper and scissors, companies like Blank Canvas represent a whole host of talented artists and performers who will help you make this virtual event one to remember. To have the guests and bride or groom doubled over in fits of laughter, you can even bring in a live performance from Bounder & Cad, the musical comedy duo who can write and perform a personalised hilarious song to perform for the couple. 

For A Blossoming Baby Shower 

Baby showers are such an important time to celebrate the impending arrival of a new little human and as it’s not always possible to postpone them (depending on the due date), it’s key to mark the occasion as best as you can on a virtual level. Being pregnant and giving birth during a pandemic can feel really isolating so a thoughtful and well-planned virtual baby shower can remind a mum-to-be of all the amazing people around her and who will be there to support her when the baby arrives. Many of the usual baby shower games and quizzes can be easily carried out online but one way to make the event truly memorable is by adding an activity. Why not spend an afternoon all taking part in a floral arrangement with DYI buckets full of blooms delivered by Lucy Vail Floristry with virtual guidance! Before the event, you can all order a bucket of flowers with 50 stems to arrange and enjoy be guided to make stunning assortments that will brighten everyone’s homes for the coming days. 

For a ‘Just-Because’ Dinner Party 

Remember the days when we would have dinner parties with friends just because? Sometimes there doesn’t need to be a cause for celebration –  it’s important to get together for the sake of it now and then and there’s no reason why this should stop just because we can’t be physically together. Break the monotonous routines of Deliveroo meals or dinners in front of the TV and throw a virtual dinner party with some friends. Why not build a sense of togetherness by all agreeing to cook the same recipe? For an added touch of fun, you could even have a tablescape competition whereby everyone compares and judges each other’s dining layouts. Lay London offers stunning table lay collections which can be rented and delivered, or if you want to see what you can do with what you’ve got at home, check out some of their expert tips and tricks here. 

For a Kid’s Birthday Bash

Trying to tell our kids that they can’t go to school, play in the park with others or meet up with their friends is hard but it’s even harder if it’s their birthday and they’re expecting a party like the incredible circus-themed one you threw for them last year. If you’re stressing about what you can do to brighten your child’s special day, have no fear – the experts have you covered. Professionals in children’s entertainment and parties, Sharky and George are taking their skills online and hosting incredible virtual discos for your kids and their friends. They will lead a disco filled with digital-friendly games and activities that will let your kids safely have fun with their friends and family. To keep your kids busy before the event, you can also have them handwrite invitations to the virtual birthday party to send out to their friends. Check out Downey & Co who are offering packs to help children to rediscover the lost art of letter writing.

For A Zoom Pre-Wedding 

To anyone who has had to postpone their wedding due to this virus, our hearts go out to you. We’ve seen the heartbreak and stress that this time has caused for brides and grooms and we’re incredibly proud of the event suppliers and planners who have been working tirelessly to make this time as stress-free as possible. A virtual celebration is never going to compare to the real thing, but letting go of your original date can be emotionally difficult, especially if you’ve been planning this for some time – so why let go of it completely? Around the world, couples are marking their original wedding dates by hosting virtual ceremonies and celebrations with their loved ones over Zoom. There are so many ways to make this extra special, from sending out official invitations, giving speeches on the day and delivering little party favours to your guests beforehand. For events like this with several participants, it can be beneficial to appoint someone to take charge and ensure the order of events flows perfectly (much like at a real event!). It isn't a 'wedding' without cake and Peboryon Cakes have launch Black Box Cake: enabling a group of 10 to 1000+ to enjoy celebrating at a distance with slices of the same cake delivered! You can customise your black box with your own message tucked inside.