How To Throw a Virtual Birthday Party? (Long Distance Party)

Let’s face it, birthdays during quarantine suck. No more going out to dinner with friends, no more big parties. It’s just another day stuck at home. But that doesn’t mean your birthday has to be a total bummer.

Today the technology is available to ensure you can still have a fun, festive, and most importantly, memorable birthday. So how do you throw a virtual birthday party?

To help you, I have put together a step-by-step virtual birthday party guide. And you know what? It’s actually not that hard. With a little planning, you can have a birthday bash that’s even better than the real thing.

So let’s get started to see how to throw a virtual birthday party. But before let’s answer some common questions about virtual birthday parties.

Related: How to Plan a Birthday Party for Adults

What is a Virtual Birthday Party?

A virtual birthday party is a celebration held online instead of in person. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your birthday with friends and family, even if you can’t be together in person.

You can use video conferencing softwares like zoom, skype, and Google Hangouts to connect with guests, play games, and enjoy each other’s company.

Virtual parties are a great way to stay connected with loved ones and can be just as fun as in-person gatherings. I would argue they are even more fun because you can invite people worldwide to attend your party.

According to survey, around 80% of the american think that celebrating birthday party every year is very important.

Here are 10 Tips On How to Throw a Virtual Birthday Party

It does not matter if it’s a coronavirus pandemic, a long-distance relationship, or you are too busy to meet up in person. Thanks to the internet, you can celebrate anyone’s birthday with a virtual party.

Plan Ahead

Just because your party is virtual doesn’t mean you can plan it last minute. In fact, you might need to plan even more ahead of time since you’ll have to coordinate with your guests’ schedules. Pick a date and time that works for everyone, then send out invitations (electronic or snail mail, it’s up to you) at least 2 weeks in advance.

Pick a Video Chat Platform

The first step to throwing a virtual birthday party is to choose the right platform. This will be where all your guests will gather to celebrate. Choosing something that is easy to use and has all the features you need is important.

The most popular virtual event platforms are Zoom, Skype, Houseparty, and Google Hangouts. These free platforms offer great features like screen sharing, group chat, and video call recording.

I would suggest zoom and Houseparty because these two are very easy to use. In zoom, you can invite up to 100 Attendees for 40 minutes. The best part is it’s totally free to use. You can create a zoom meeting by signing up for an account on their website.

To start a Houseparty, simply download the app on your phone or computer and create an account. Once logged in, you can add friends to your “House” and start video chatting. Up to 100 people can be at a Houseparty at one time, and many fun features keep everyone entertained.

Create a Guest List

Now that you’ve chosen a platform, it’s time to create your guest list. This is really easy to do if you’re using Houseparty because the app will automatically add all your friends who also have the app downloaded.

If you’re using Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts, you’ll need to create a list of your guests’ email addresses or phone numbers. Once you have your list, it’s time to send out the invitations.

Send an E-invitations

To make things easy, I would suggest sending your guests a text message or email with all the information they need to join the party. Include a link to the video chat platform, the date and time of the party, and any instructions on how to download or use the platform.

It’s also a good idea to create a Facebook event or send out paper invitations if you have time. This will help get your guests excited for the party and ensure they don’t forget about it.

Decide if You Want a Theme

Every regular birthday party has a theme, so why not make your virtual party just as fun? The great thing about having a virtual party is having any type of theme. You’re not limited by space or budget, so get creative.

Some fun themes for a virtual birthday party include:

• The 80s or 90s-themed party with neon clothes and retro music
• A classic Hollywood party with a red carpet and movie trivia
• A beach party with Hawaiian shirts and limbo

The sky is the limit for themes, so pick something your guests will enjoy.

Play Some Games

Talking virtually is great, but it can get a bit boring. That’s why having some fun games for your guests is important. Games are a great way to break the ice and get everyone interacting with each other. I remember one of my friend’s birthdays, we played truth or dare over Skype and it was so much fun.

But now there are a lot of amazing games you can try like PUBG, COD, Among US or even Monopoly. You can also play many great party games virtually like Cards Against Humanity, Never Have I Ever, and Two Truths and a Lie.

Related: Awesome Things To Do on Your Birthday Alone

Movie Night

Most people don’t know this but you can watch movies together even if you’re not in the same room. A chrome extension called telepathy lets you watch movies and tv shows together.

Everyone needs to download the extension, and then the host shares a link with partygoers. Once everyone joins, the host can play, pause, or seek within the video, and everyone’s video will stay in sync.

It’s a great way to bond with friends and family living far away. Telepathy is free to use and works with Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

Have a Dance Party

One of the best things about virtual parties is that you can do anything you want without worrying about embarrassing yourself in front of others. So why not have a dance party?

Put on your favorite tunes and let loose. You can even make it a competition by seeing who can create the best dance routine. Remember to mute your microphone using Zoom so your guests don’t have to hear you panting and gasping for breath.

Make a Photo Booth

A photo booth is a great way to add fun and excitement to your virtual party. To make it fun, you can use props, backdrops, and costume changes. You only need a laptop or tablet and a webcam to set up a photo booth. Then, set up your camera so everyone can see themselves and start taking pictures.

Take a Virtual Tour Together

I love the history of “Ottoman Empire” because it’s so interesting to see how the world was back then. If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do with your guests, why not take a virtual tour together? There are tons of museums and historical sites that offer virtual tours. You can even explore outer space or take a tour of the human body.

Making Your Virtual Birthday Party Special

Now that you’ve got everything, it’s time to start thinking about how to make your virtual birthday party extra special. One idea is to hire a professional entertainer like a magician or clown who can perform over video chat. You could also hire a DJ to play music at the party or even during specific “dance break” moments.

Another great way to make your virtual birthday party special is by sending out care packages. This could include festive decorations, party hats, noisemakers, and even cake mix & frosting so everyone can make their own cake at home. You could also include a personalized birthday card for each guest with some fun facts about them inside.

Party Gifts

Finally, don’t forget about presents! Even though it’s not an in-person event, your guests will still want to give you gifts. A great way to do this is by setting up an Amazon wishlist or creating a registry at your favorite store (Target, Macy’s, etc.). That way guests can easily purchase gifts online and have them shipped directly to you.

Benefits Of Throwing A Virtual Birthday Party

It’s actually true that there are several benefits to throwing a virtual birthday party. And I’m not just talking about the obvious ones like being able to save money or not having to worry about finding a babysitter. Here are some other benefits of virtual birthday parties:

• You Can Include More People: One of the best things about virtual parties is that you can easily include more people. Since everyone is already logged into their computer, there’s no need to worry about transportation or finding a babysitter. You can even invite people who live in different time zones without worrying about being unable to make it.
• It’s More Intimate: Another great thing about virtual parties is that they tend to be more intimate than in-person parties. This is because there’s no need to worry about small talk or ensuring everyone is included in the conversation. Plus, you can hear and see each other, making it feel more like a real conversation.
• You Can Do What You Want: Since you’re not limited by space or time, you can do anything you want at a virtual party. This includes playing games, watching movies, or even taking a virtual museum tour. The possibilities are endless!
• Safety for Everyone: In pandemics, it is better to stay home and have a virtual party rather than an in-person party. This way you can avoid exposure to the virus and keep everyone safe.

Conclusion: Throw the Perfect Virtual Birthday Party

Throwing a virtual birthday party is the new trend for celebrating birthdays. With so many people living far away from their friends and family, a virtual birthday party is a perfect way to bring everyone together to celebrate.

So that’s it for now. I hope you liked this information and if you think it’s helpful share it with your friends and family members who might need this.