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What's the first thing you think about when you hear "Birthday Party"? Did you say cake? Exactly. Before my cousin Shanice turned 27 late last year, she mentioned that she was having a virtual Zoom birthday party and seemed enthusiastic about it. The first thing I wondered when I heard the word 'virtual' was, "How will I eat my cake?", yes, my cake, the piece of cake you're entitled to when you go to a birthday party. If anyone else told me they were planning this I would have been skeptical but I knew it was going to be interesting because she has a knack for pulling off some pretty unique event ideas. I was looking forward to seeing how the typical birthday party activities would be incorporated virtually.
Pre party prep...One week before the virtual event
She created a WhatsApp group to keep everyone updated and sent a list of words for us to memorize since there was going to be a Q & A segment for which prizes would be given for first, second and third place. As for the prizes, she kept it simple by using large, clear balls that are typically used as fillable Christmas ornaments that she stuffed with candy and chocolates. She used the convenience of the WhatsApp group to tease us with pictures as well as videos of the prizes that were to be won at the party. A few days before the celebration a Meeting ID and Password was sent in the group chat with the time the party was scheduled to start. I jokingly told her I didn't have to purchase a gift because it was a virtual party but I made sure to drop it off a few days before the event, thinking that she would unbox it during the party. She didn't wait, she opened it the same day then showed if off to everyone by sending pictures and videos of it in the WhatsApp group chat.
Party Time!...The day of the party
On the day of the party I ensured the background of my setup was clean since that’s what ten other people would be seeing in my video. Signing in to the meeting was relatively smooth. The event started with her greeting us with birthday balloons in the background. A link was sent to us in the Zoom chat box for different quizzes that she compiled online using a free quiz maker she found on Google. After completing a quiz we had to send a screenshot of our final points in the WhatsApp chat for everyone to see. The exciting part was that everyone was familiar with each other so there was a lot of teasing and competition going on while we were doing the trivia which included some rather tricky questions. Knowing that there were nice prizes to be won added to the competitiveness of it all. I came in third place so I eagerly awaited my reward. After the quiz segment, her husband walked in with a lighted birthday cake and I could see my nephew in the background trying to blow out the candles before we began to sing. We then sang Happy Birthday followed by well wishes for her new year. Everyone relaxed and chatted a bit until it was time to wrap up. She thanked us for participating and promised to drop off our prizes along with a slice of birthday cake the following day.
The virtual birthday party was definitely entertaining, it was interesting to be able to participate in a celebration without having to come together physically. If you're planning your own virtual event I think it's major key to choose people you know will make the party lively as well as communicate with each other comfortably. Adding the trivia with questions she knew would have us thinking, competing and playfully fighting was a pretty clever way to keep us actively interacting with each other. Other pointers from her virtual event that guaranteed its success that you can consider when planning your own are:
Ensure you have proper working internet service.
Confirm that everyone is clear on how to utilize the program you're hosting the party on.
Pick a date and time that is convenient for the participants.
Be sure to send reminders on the days leading up to the party.
Work with a theme to set up your background with simple props and decorations.
During the event relax, go with the flow and have fun.
Hope you guys enjoyed reading about my experience, if you plan your own virtual event be sure to drop me a comment and let me know how it goes. Happy planning and until next time, be safe.
Such a fun read so interesting. I never experienced a virtual party to be honest i Thaught it would be lame but after reading your ecperience, it seems like so much fun.
I missed out. Very innovative.
It was awesome.