Having a birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a bummer. If you or someone you love has a birthday coming up, make the best of it. Just because you cannot physically be with loved ones does not mean you can't celebrate your birthday. There are many ways you can enjoy birthday festivities without ever leaving your house. Consider one of the following fun birthday activities to make the day feel special at home.

1. Get Gifts by Mail

If you are organizing a birthday party for a loved one that complies with social distancing, that doesn't mean you have to forego presents. People can still online shop or send cards in the mail for the birthday person to enjoy. Set up a birthday gift registry and allow people to send packages. Make sure you allow people enough time to send their gifts due to delivery delays.

2. Cake Delivery

Food delivery is still available during shelter-in-place policies, so you can have a cake delivered to the home of the birthday person. Alternatively, if you don't want to utilize delivery, you can bake a cake yourself. If you don't live with the birthday person, you can drop off your homemade cake on their porch without having to interact directly. Social distancing doesn't mean you can't enjoy delicious birthday treats.

Consider these grab-n-go food ideas for COVID-friendly small gatherings:

3. Video Birthday Messages

The loved ones of the birthday person aren't able to congregate, but that doesn't mean they can't express their well wishes. Have everyone who would normally attend a birthday party record themselves saying happy birthday. Take all the videos and make a compilation that the birthday person will enjoy for years to come.

4. Throw a Virtual Party

In addition to birthday messages, you can host a virtual party where party-goers can video chat. Open presents virtually, blow out candles on a birthday cake, you can even play games while video chatting. The birthday person can spend hours with their loved ones. It won't be quite as great as seeing the people they love in person, but it's the next best thing.

5. Utilize Virtual Tourism

Because of the pandemic, there are more options than ever for virtual travel. Many museums are now offering virtual tours. All you have to do is go to the museum website and you can explore their exhibits. Disney is even offering virtual roller coasters. These virtual coasters won't give you the same thrill as actually being at Disneyland, but they're pretty cool! Whatever your loved one initially planned to do for their birthday, see if you can find a virtual equivalent.

It's hard to deal with the stress of the pandemic and celebrate a birthday at the same time, but it can be done. Celebrate birthdays responsibly by following social distancing standards.