How to Throw a Virtual Birthday Party on Zoom

Are you hosting a virtual birthday party for a friend or family member? Since this is a new scenario for many of us, it can be hard to know how to make the experience live up to an in-person birthday party. At mainstages, we have been hosting virtual birthday parties on Zoom since April, and we’ve learned a LOT about what makes an unforgettable virtual birthday party. Read on for our top tips on how to make the most out of YOUR virtual birthday party.

1.Invite Your Guests (with Plenty of Time)

Once you decide on a date, you can send it out ASAP to all the important people in the birthday star’s life. You could simply send an e-mail to your guests with all pertinent information in a simple text-based email. OR take it up a notch with an online invitation. We recommend using a service such as evite or paperless post . No matter what you do, make sure to include an RSVP so you know how many people to expect!

2. Make the Most of Zoom

Zoom is an incredibly flexible platform that allows your guests to feel the party vibes from the safety of their homes. For those guests who you know may have some trouble with the tech side of things, reach out ahead of time and answer any questions that may come up about how to join the party. It will save you a lot of time and fretting on the day of the party when you have lots to do already. If you yourself aren’t the most tech-savvy, make sure YOU do a test run as well! At mainstages, we provide a one-page PDF with Zoom directions for you to share with your guests.

3.Set the Scene

Virtual Birthday Parties are different from in-person ones in many ways, but one thing doesn’t have to change - the birthday decorations! Here are a couple of ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Analog

We’ve seen the backgrounds of birthday star’s homes be decorated with all sorts of things. There are the usual suspects - streamers, balloons, signs. Or you could go the themed route and turn your home into, say, a mermaid wonderland or an elegant all-white throne fit for a (birthday) Queen!

Digital

This is a great way to personalize the birthday party to the guest of honor. You can make a fun background with a birthday theme if you’re design-inclined. Or even display a favorite/funny photo of the birthday star! Virtual backgrounds can also be used to play party games - we use them when we want to ask trivia questions with media like Guess That Disney Character!

4. Get in Costume

The birthday star (and their guests) might want to know what to expect in terms of how to dress. Obviously, there are no requirements when it comes to what you or your guests wear. But if the Birthday star likes to dress up or wants a fun themed party they might want to wear a costume/fancy outfit for their special day. If you think your guests would be into it, you can also encourage them to dress up as well.

5. Plan Ahead for Special Moments

What would a party be without singing the Happy Birthday song? Even though singing in a group over Zoom sounds less-than-stellar we’ve found it’s a fun way to keep traditions going. If you want to surprise the birthday star with a birthday cake during the song, make sure to set it up nearby and/or give yourself a little buffer room before so you can light the candles. Likewise, if you are preparing any other special surprises (like a photo slideshow or taped personal messages from loved ones who couldn’t make it), make sure to do a test run beforehand to ensure everything goes smoothly.

6. Relax and Have Fun!

With all of this in mind, we hope you’re well on your way to making the most of your virtual birthday party! Even though we can’t all be together in person right now, we can still make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. When all else fails, seeing the faces of the ones you love on your special day is really all you need to have a great time.

If all of this virtual birthday stuff still seems overwhelming to you, or you want to take your virtual birthday party to the NEXT level, consider contacting us about booking a mainstages virtual birthday party! We take care of everything for you, from creating a custom "set list" based on a customization form you fill out, to keeping everyone entertained throughout the party, handling all of the tech, AND incorporating any specially requested elements.