Lockdown can be a challenge when there are special people to celebrate. For those whose birthday falls on this time of uncertainty, other Cougs wanted to share ideas and spread the love.

Distant loved ones and relatives can still be celebrated in their own special way. Birthdays don’t have to be a bummer with these ideas.

Natalie Berry, a freshman studying pre-medicine for nursing, wrote, “We did a giant Zoom meeting with family for my dad’s birthday! Everyone loved it!”

Baylee Barnett, a senior double majoring in creative writing and women’s, gender and sexuality studies wrote, “My birthday is at the end of the month and I’m just praying for some good weather so I can have a little barbeque in my backyard with my quarantine family.”

Anniversaries are just as special as birthdays, and if you want to be there with your loved ones on their special day, these tips are for you.

Averie Hollis, a Cougar alumni, wrote, “For our anniversary, we ordered our favorite takeout, went on a little drive, had a movie night and went on a Dutch run later.”

Ruby Higginson had a similar date. “For our anniversary, we had a picnic and camped in the backyard,” she wrote. “It was fun and different!”

Take it from these Cougs — birthdays and anniversaries can be fun while social distancing. Try out these ideas, or create some of your own.