We’re all locked down, sheltering in place, and socially distant, which means birthday festivities are largely canceled.
From makeshift cakes to lonely celebrations, we’ve seen people cope in lots of different ways this birthday season.
Of course, there are some heartwarming stories as well – especially when it comes to kids and the elderly. People are really “showing up,” so to speak, to the occasion, whether it’s virtually or at a safe distance.
Here are 75 recent birthdays celebrated in quarantine because of the the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
1. Empty chairs at empty tables
But if you can still scrape together a cake, balloon, and party hat, we’d say you’re still among the lucky ones!
2. Virtual cupcake
And while that might not be the ideal way to get a birthday cupcake, it’s both calorie-free AND a sure sign that your family is thinking about you.
3. Bash that bug
We’d like to take a couple of hefty smacks at it for sure!
4. Dual-purpose gift
We really hope the birthday girl never had to use her card for the other purpose.
Ouch.
5. Mood lighting
Warm and glowy AND romantic!
6. Behind the glass
But she’s also lucky – she has a smile on her face and people who love her nearby, even if she can’t get a birthday hug.
7. From a distance
You can still have all the birthday flair, even if you have to get out the tape measure.
8. Together and apart
If they sang it twice, they should have used that time to wash their hands as well!
9. Clink clink
And while you might have to speak up, there’s no reason you can’t spend some time with your friends if you stay far enough apart.
10. That hits close to home
It wasn’t meant for this particular event, but it certainly seems like it was.
11. Attitude of gratitude
This woman threw her own party to celebrate her life and live it to its fullest.
12. Birthday bunker
We just hope this kid got a can opener as a gift since not all of those have pull tabs.
13. The gang’s all here
That’s some serious committment!
14. But what flavor is it?
At least there are no candles to blow out.
15. Drive-by birthday
Those cupcakes even seem a pretty safe distance away from each other on the plate!
16. The guests were a bit quiet
We can’t imagine the conversation was up to snuff, but at least everyone at the party was smiling.
17. Suit up
Good for him for literally putting on his birthday suit and having a sense of humor about the situation.
18. This party’s hoppin’
If you look closely, you’ll see that each guest is the same person.
Is that sword for cutting the cake?
19. A very safe and sanitary birthday
We’re not sure the cake seems appetizing, but we bet the beer helped cheer things up.
20. New year, new adventures
It was the first time she had ever been in charge of an outdoor trip alone but we’d say this is one heck of a good way to celebrate and recharge.
21. Only one kid showed
You certainly can’t expect your human kids to come over since that would be irreesponsible, but your baby goat has no reason not to RSVP.
22. Lonely shark
They’ll be better birthdays ahead!
23. Flammable cake
But we admire this attempt at a fancy cake as long as she didn’t try to blow out the candles.
24. Turning 21
Now we just want to know if that cake is real.
25. The hug stick
They did, however, bring a 6-foot stick to keep a safe distance.
We just hope there was a lot of hand-washing involved as well. And that no one got poked too hard with the hug stick.
26. Pool party
Sometimes we have to lower our standards just a little.
Think how much we’ll all appreciate vacations after this!
27. Happy Birthday, from Batman
And his stuffed friends were all there to wish him well!
28. Practical presents
What better gift to get the practical man than something rare AND useful?
29. Artistic talents
So a thoughtful and snarky card that brings a smile to someone’s face can be more valuable than anything right now.
30. Can’t keep them down
To keep her safe, her family had to stay outdoors but they came to wish her a happy birthday in style.
31. Captive audience
Why not add some masks to the deal if you can?
32. Festive 50th
It turns out the birthday boy was on the laptop and didn’t expect a thing, so this was a virtual surprise party.
33. Too young to notice
That’s a birthday we don’t tend to remember, although this photo will serve as a great reminder someday!
And it looks like he’s got loved ones there to celebrate virtually.
34. The gang’s all here
While we hope the group outside all lives in the same house (otherwise they’re a bit too close together!), they made a very sweet gesture to make a little girl’s day special.
35. Who invited these guys?
In this case, the only guests were his roomate and their Halloween decorations. But they’re a lot less scary than catching the virus!
36. Eyes on the prize
Meanwhile, the cat looks like it really wants part of that birthday burger!
37. Calorie free cake
A mini cake and a midnight phone call were sweet and sugar-free gestures for the birthday girl.
38. Safety first
Still, it’s nice to know your friends were thinking of your health when they delivered your card!
39. Get lit
That made it a party for two and it looks like it was twice as good for having a furry friend present.
40. Eww
Do we even want to know what flavor it is?!
41. Ain’t no party like a Photoshop party
His birthday was spent alone, but you wouldn’t know it by the doctored photo, which makes it look like a real rager!
42. Sad and alone
We’re loving the balloon!
43. Birthday swag
Turns out he put a whole lot of effort into bargaining with that raccoon to make his virtual birthday special.
44. Dirty 30
It’s yet another Photoshop job, but it sure makes it look like everyone’s having fun.
45. Even the dog showed up
And there’s always one guest who is only interested in talking to the dog.
46. Best wishes from across the street
It might not feel like a sweet 16, but hopefully he’ll appreciate his 17th that much more.
47. Sorry
We haven’t reached apocalypse level yet, but it just looks better in frosting.
48. Instructional cake
Hopefully they didn’t drink all those Coronas at once just for the decor!
49. Celebrate in style
Kind of makes us want to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s now!
50. There’s one in every group
At least he’s also the people having fun as well.
51. Showing off the swag
But turning 21 is a big deal – and it looks like she’s prepared with some adult beverages.
52. Boo for birthdays
Then again, someone had to be there to snap that photo.
53. Quick turnaround
But at least now you won’t have to make your own!
54. It’s my day
Obviously there’s no need to hide the fact that it’s your birthday.
55. Singing sister
What a sweet sibling!
56. Party of two
We wonder if the mask is to fend off some of the dog slobber.
57. Gather ’round grandma
And it looks like she has enough devices to make sure all her family can reach her through multiple platforms.
58. Honk, it’s my birthday
Luckily the weather was nice so everyone could see him wave back.
According to the caption, his friends even drove by and sang to him from their car and neighbors wrote birthday well wishes on the driveway.
59. Shitshow
It’s definitely the perfect opportunity to use that cake topper!
60. Partying on the inside
That’s more attention than most of us get!
61. Get weird
They might not have helium, but they definitely make a 9th birthday indoors feel a lot more festive.
62. Cute and confusing
This family stopped by to sing to her – and for some reason, one of them got a little overdressed.
Cabin fever makes people do strange things.
63. Treat yourself
You’ve gotta work with what you’ve got in these challenging times.
64. Online ambiance
We don’t think virtual birthdays are going to replace the real ones long term, but we’re happy to see people getting some friend time in on their special days.
65. Cyberparty
And the cake in guilt-free!
66. Big gestures
Usually shouting bothers the neighbors, but we think she’s going to get away with her rowdy party this year.
67. Everybody hurts
It’s artistic AND it might get you some pity gifts.
68. No-blow candles
But that doesn’t mean you can’t call in some germ-free support to help blow them out.
69. Gift and run
Sign us up for this birthday party!
70. Doing their best
This birthday girl’s significant other refused to let her go cakeless on her big day, so he learned how to bake a cake.
So sweet!
71. Window pane party
Hugs can come later!
72. Have your cake and eat it too
No one sees you eat cake with your hands or not bother to cut a piece before you dig into the whole thing.
73. Neighborhood soiree
As long as everyone stays at a safe distance.
74. A honking good birthday
Every honk is another good wish!
75. Instagram vs real life
Instagram is where we go to show everyone the best of our lives. But it’s not always an accurate reflection of reality.
This year is going to be tough, but that just means you’re entitled to a really big party next year, right?
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