Hi OP- Im trying to figure out the same thing. A milestone birthday celebration in the backyard at the end of April with about 12 people is what Im thinking. All live local to one another and most will be vaccinated. What did you decide?

If it's a milestone birthday, you could all get tested and take a (small group of) girls' weekend away, and then you can celebrate with just your family when you are back.

Yes, celebrate! If your husband can be with the boys for a day, maybe go off to a beautiful park or garden and have a socially distanced picnic with a few (2-3) girlfriends. Even just a few hours away might be nice. And order in from a nice restaurant, get a big cake, have flowers... enjoy yourself. Happy birthday!

Anonymous wrote:Do you have one friend you’re closest to? If you share these thoughts and ask her to help you plan sometime low key, I bet you’ll be happy and enjoy it.

Yes, thank you. Good idea.

Do you have one friend you’re closest to? If you share these thoughts and ask her to help you plan sometime low key, I bet you’ll be happy and enjoy it.

Will outdoor dining with people you dont live with still be too risky in mid April?

Anonymous wrote:My son is outside at our fire pit with some friends for his birthday right now. Just 5 total, in masks, all 14-15 years old.
They grilled hot dogs in the fire, each person gets their own stick. I cut the cake in the house and my son took out pieces. No candles or singing, but that’s ok. Do what you can and have fun. It’s a treat just to see people.

That sounds like a great way to spend his bday! Thanks PP.

My son is outside at our fire pit with some friends for his birthday right now. Just 5 total, in masks, all 14-15 years old.
They grilled hot dogs in the fire, each person gets their own stick. I cut the cake in the house and my son took out pieces. No candles or singing, but that’s ok. Do what you can and have fun. It’s a treat just to see people.

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely celebrate.

I am planning a backyard party for my 9yo in March.

Thanks PP. Hope your DC has a happy bday!

Anonymous wrote:I would definitely be comfortable with attending a small backyard celebration especially with more nicer weather days coming up. Happy Early 40th!

Thanks

Absolutely celebrate.

I am planning a backyard party for my 9yo in March.

I would definitely be comfortable with attending a small backyard celebration especially with more nicer weather days coming up. Happy Early 40th!

Anonymous wrote:I would attend a socially-distanced backyard party, especially if you’d been vaccinated. I wouldn’t go to a restaurant unless I was.

Thanks for your feedback!

I would attend a socially-distanced backyard party, especially if you’d been vaccinated. I wouldn’t go to a restaurant unless I was.

I live in a town (not in DC area- we moved a couple years ago) that has socialized outside during warmer weather of the pandemic. Summer time and early fall, there were essentially no covid cases in our area and people responsibly hung out at the beach or in backyards. During that time I celebrated a handful of my friends 40th birthdays- again, responsibly. As soon as the end of October hit and numbers started going back up, that all stopped and weve been homebound again ever since. My 40th is in April and the depressed part of me would like the bday to come and go with no recognition at all bc this really has been the worst year of my life. I have two elementary age boys, one with ADHD and learning disabilities, so life has been hell. Another part of me feels that it may be healthy for me to acknowledge my bday in some way to allow myself some happiness. Maybe have a few friends in the backyard or eat outside with some friends at a restaurant with a good outside area. I dont know how to predict how things will be in April in terms of covid. I will be fully vaccinated by then as will my husband and a handful of my friends. Not sure if I should even bother or not. Any thoughts or ideas?