Many of us had to put our plans on hold after the pandemic hit. Hangouts with friends became video calls. Face-to-face classes became Zoom meetings. Even the way people celebrated their birthdays (and other special occasions, for that matter) had to drastically change because we couldn’t gather together and ~party~ like we used to.
For those who were looking forward to celebrating their coming of age this year, plans of throwing a traditional debut party had been thrown out the window. Still, it doesn’t totally mean you can’t celebrate your legality anymore. Quarantine debuts have become a thing ever since lockdown restrictions have been imposed. It’s still possible to celebrate your special day safely and responsibly at home.
For debutante Aleckz Estacio, her dreamy, princess-themed debut had to be postponed. “The venue, catering and other services were already set a few months back before my big day but unfortunately, because of the pandemic, we were not able to push through,” she shares. Instead, they had an intimate celebration at home. If you’re also interested in planning your own quarantine debut, here are some tips based on Aleckz’ experience.
Make the most out of staying home.
Because her grand debut couldn’t push through, Aleckz had to compromise, even with the theme. “I originally opted to have a dreamy yet minimalist type of theme,” Aleckz says. “But since we weren’t able to do that, I have just decided to go with a simple, on a budget yet still dreamy and princess-like 18th birthday party.”
Since you’re at home anyways, you won’t need to worry about how long or how many your celebration should be. “Actually, there were two parts of my birthday party—a birthday salubong and a lunch party.”
“The night before my birthday, I have decided to hold a pajama party where we ate snacks, drank some soju, played board games, and watched my friends and relatives’ birthday greetings for me until [midnight]. The next morning, that’s when we formally celebrated my legality. We made a toast, ate lunch, and watched movies.”
Buy your party needs from online shops.
You can still feel like you’re holding a party at home by changing the vibe of the room through decor. Aleckz bought her party needs such as decorations and glassware from online shops and e-commerce sites like Shopee and Lazada. If there are alternatives available online, opt for that instead of heading out to shop.
Take advantage of what’s near you.
For a more convenient preparation, try researching on shops and services that are near your vicinity. For the food, Aleckz thought of ordering from her tita who happens to be a chef and lives nearby. “She prepared cordon bleu, spare ribs, and meatball sliders. She even prepared some desserts like red velvet cupcakes and alcapone donuts for me. For the champagne, we just got it from the trusty grocery store located near our home.”
Invite your loved ones through video calls.
You may not be able to celebrate in person, but thanks to technology, you can still make your loved ones part of the festivities. Take advantage of video calls and connect with your friends or family during your quarantine debut. “All the time we are preparing and celebrating, we video-called my mom (who is stuck in another country) so she could celebrate with us like we’re all together,” shares Aleckz.
Be open to adjustments and unfulfilled plans.
When it comes to debuts, every debutante hopes for things to run smoothly and according to plan. But that can’t always happen, especially in the middle of a crisis. As a friendly tip based on her experience, Aleckz advises her fellow debutantes to just make the most out of the situation. Her number one learning from the experience is that, “Debuts are not about the extravagant venue, decorations, and food. It’s about being mature enough to understand some circumstances and being able to adjust with it while still making the most out of it.”
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