The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many disruptions to our daily routines. We have all needed to adjust how we go about our lives to stay safe and to keep others safe as well. With so many changes, celebrating life’s special moments is more important than ever, even while adapting to social distancing measures. Below are some ideas on how to celebrate special milestones, while staying festive and keeping safe. 

Birthdays

You may have noticed that a new way to celebrate birthdays has ‘rolled up’ - the car parade. In a car parade, merry makers decorate their vehicles with personalized signs, streamers, balloons, and other cheery decorations. They will then drive by their loved one’s home, honking, waving and celebrating their birthday from afar. In some car parades for those younger (or the young at heart!) fire trucks and police cars have joined in, their sirens blazing as a fun gesture.

You can always go the traditional route of sending a card, or better yet, leave champagne at their doorstep - whatever gesture you do, whether it be extravagant or low key, just acknowledging someone’s special day will bring joy to their life, in a time where happiness is needed more than ever.

Graduation

Decorate your garage door or porch to celebrate this momentous achievement and make your graduating senior (or preschooler, or kindergartner!) feel as special as can be. Write where they’re going to college, and if you’re brave enough you can add ‘honk to say congratulations!”. Set up a virtual zoom party with relatives to laud the graduate with goodwill and cheer.

Record a virtual tribute to your graduate. Compile well wishes from family and friends to show your student just how many people care and how proud they are of this accomplishment.

Anniversary

While you may not be able to have a nice anniversary dinner date at a fancy restaurant, you can create one at home. Support your local businesses, by doing take out from one of your favorite restaurants. Set the table with your fine china - you know, the ones you save for dinner guests. Light some candles, play your wedding song and enjoy the time together. If you don’t feel comfortable getting take-out, cook something together! Whether it be a favorite dish, or maybe one of the first meals you had together as a couple, you can really make it a special evening. Over dinner talk about your plans for your next anniversary- where you want to travel, where you want to celebrate.

If you’re feeling antsy to get out of the house, why don’t you take a car ride to some of the places you started out as a couple, maybe drive by the place of your first date, the first place you lived in together, or where you got married. It will be nice to reminisce about your life together.

New Baby

Unfortunately, in the light of this pandemic, celebrating a baby shower in person with your family and friends is impossible. However, a party is not out of the question when you celebrate virtually. Send Evites to your close friends and family with the date and time of your virtual get together. If possible, send attendees a ‘care package’ ahead of the virtual meeting. It can include decorations, a thank you gift, or perhaps games that you can play virtually - such as gift bingo or trivia. One can still register for much needed baby items, and many items can be purchased online and sent to the mom-to-be, who then, in turn can open the items during the virtual party.

Other Ideas

As we continue on, adjusting to this new normal of isolation, we learn to adapt and develop clever ideas to celebrate just about everything. Luckily, with the benefit of technology, we are all still able to see each other virtually to spread joy to those observing a special day. Through applications such as Zoom, Skype, and Facebook we are able to see those we miss and those we want to celebrate with. With a face mask and lawn chairs six feet apart, you could consider getting together with those you care about in person, if the weather is nice. Get creative!

Remember...

Moving along during the pandemic, you may choose to acknowledge your important milestones in big ways, but with all of these new emotions we are feeling, you may just want to relax at home - and that’s okay too. Do whatever you’re comfortable with, and just know, one day we will all be able to safely get together and celebrate again. We’re all in this together.

Please remember, we are here to help in any way we can and answer any questions you may have. If you need to reach out to us, please call! Contact our West Sayville location at 1-631-589-2345 and our Bayport location can be reached at 1-631-472-0122.