6th November 2023
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Thanks a lot corona, thanks a lot…
With the world in lockdown, it may seem that, like mine, your birthday is now cancelled. However, while most of your plans may be put on hold (I’m thinking of that birthday night out to the Raz), here at LGSM, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do with your special day to make it seem a little less like something out of a Margaret Atwood novel.
The cake is a fundamental element of any birthday celebration, and I for one am not going to let an international pandemic get in the way of my birthday cake needs!
Whether you like a classic Colin the Caterpillar or customised Costco cake, you may have to break from tradition for this one-of-a-kind birthday. All hope is not lost though, because this gives you the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner Ramsay!
What better time than now to try baking your own birthday cake? Just a quick google search will bring up loads of recipes for your favourite type of cake – why not try this take on M&S’ Colin from Tastemade? Or maybe browse Pinterest for inspiration in creating your dream cake that supermarkets could never provide. The possibilities are endless – now is your chance to go crazy!
Whether you’ve moved back home or you’re isolating with your housemates, the options are pretty limited for how to celebrate. But there’s one timeless classic that coronavirus can’t cancel – movie night! With the extensive selection of films available thanks to the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more, you’ll be sure to find your all-time favourite somewhere.
To make it a boozy movie night with your housemates, you could get creative and recreate your go-to cocktails to sip alongside the film. Perhaps you could attempt drinks inspired by the beloved Wetherspoons cocktails in the absence of being able to grab a pitcher for the next few months! Alternatively, if it’s more of a cosy movie night you’re hoping for, then you could try making your own popcorn! Using this recipe from good food, you can replicate the cinema experience – and it’s fun to make too!
We’re experiencing uncertain and stressful times at the moment, with the whole pandemic going on, it may feel like all you need is a good facemask and some time to forget about it all.
Your birthday is the perfect excuse to take a facemask to the next level by incorporating it into a DIY lockdown-style spa day! Now, I don’t know about you, but I always have some sort of facemask lying around. However, if you don’t, just slip a cheap one into the trolley on your next big shop (surely a facemask counts as an essential item – right?). I find that the ‘7th Heaven’ masks are handy because they’re so cheap but still smell lush!
So, you’ve got the skincare sorted, now it’s time for the spa-like atmosphere. To achieve ultimate relaxation, you could run a bath, light a few candles and get some relaxing music going. Or if you don’t have a bath, you could create a foot spa using a washing up bowl and bubble bath – fancy, I know!
While you are unable to actually leave the house to celebrate your birthday, who’s to say that you can’t bring the fine dining experience into your home? There is no better time than during lockdown to try and recreate your favourite fancy meal! It’s a great way to make your birthday that little bit more special, by cooking something that would usually be a little out of your comfort zone, or something that’s a bit fancier than your standard student menu.
Whether you’re isolating with your family, boyfriend or besties, you could attempt any number of Michelin star-worthy meals. For example, you could cook a spaghetti carbonara; sea food risotto; or even a whole tapas selection for you all to dip in and out of – sangria included, of course!
One of the worst parts of lockdown so far is definitely not being able to see your mates. You’ve gone from living with them, or at least seeing them most days, to only being able to communicate through your phones via social media or video calls. But this does not mean that you can’t all celebrate *together* on your big day.
Thanks to the likes of Facetime and group call features on snapchat and messenger, you can feel like your besties are right there with you on the big day. You can all pour yourselves a drink and celebrate your existence. One way to pass what seems like an everlasting lockdown, is through planning you come-back night out. The idea of a night out at this point seems distant and exciting, and with all the birthday nights out you’ll have to catch up on, it’s sure to be a big one! Whether you and your friends fancy a Raz Monday, Shindie Thursday or even just a tour of the free entry bars in concert square, there’s something to get excited about in advance for everyone.
To find out the best food and drinks that Liverpool has to offer, and tasty recipes, check out some of our other articles!
Feature Image Credit: Unsplash
