Virtual parties: Best apps for celebrating milestones with loved ones

Louise Whitbread

The current lockdown situation has put a stop to practically all of our plans, from holidays to family celebrations and everything in-between, but most big milestones can’t be put on hold. It’s just how we celebrate them that has changed.

Instead of big get-togethers, parties and real life contact, virtual video chats are the new norm.

And there’s so many apps that have almost become as well-used as Instagram and WhatsApp, which can make socialising more fun than just a Facetime call with a bad connection.

Cameo

If one of your friends is obsessed with a certain celebrity, and is dreading a birthday in lockdown, this is the app that will brighten their week.

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Through its website and app, Cameo allows you to enlist celebrities, athletes, comedians, musicians and reality TV stars to deliver personalised messages for congratulatory shout outs.

Its roster includes cast members from the Real Housewives, RuPaul’s Drag Race, NBA and NFL players.

Requests take seven days to complete, so make sure you book one with enough time and the cost per Cameo varies depending on who you have chosen to deliver your message.

Tribute

The concept is simple. You invite a group of people to upload their videos directly to Tribute, which then compiles them into one montage of clips for you. You decide on the order you want each person to appear, add effects if you like and then the app will send the video to the intended recipient.

It’s perfect for birthdays, graduations and new parents, bringing all your goodwill into one video that — best of all — you won’t need to spend your time editing.

GiftCast

Instead of buying a card and posting it to celebrate something like an anniversary or becoming new parents, you can send a virtual one — with a difference.

GiftCast lets you send a personalised video message, and you can also attached money as a gift too, which saves you wondering what to buy them, or worrying about posting cash, or cards not being recycled.

Once the recipient opens their card, they can then request to withdraw the funds to go directly into their bank account.

GroupGreeting

GroupGreeting allows a group of people to virtually sign a greeting card, perfect for sending off a departing employee, with the usual fond memories.

All you need to do is select a card design, ask people to sign by sending them a link and then finally send it onto the recipient via email. You can add photos and stickers to customise it too, with new card designs arriving every Friday, which ties in nicely with conventional last days.

Smule

If you’re missing your favourite karaoke jaunt, belting out Celine Dion with dazzling confidence, then download Smule now for your next meet up to celebrate making it through another celebration confined to virtual platforms.

There are 10 million (yes, that’s right) songs to choose from, so even the most avid user won’t get bored with the song choice.

You can sing socially with groups, or practice your favourite solo song on your own before you share it with others. It’s a great activity to organise for anyone who has had to cancel their hen-do, or just when you’ve had enough of quizzes on zoom.

Joining costs nothing and get started with no ads interrupting your singing time.

Cya Live

Host your own virtual birthday, movie party or attend a concert or sporting event with Cya Live. It’s essentially like the outdoor movie events held throughout the summer, just at home.

There’s with a calendar of events to choose from, and once you’ve made a decision, the video is hosted on what’s called the main stage (the main part of your screen), and along the bottom is a panel of your favourite people to watch along with, like you’re all together in the same room.

It’s a perfect replacement if you had big plans like a special birthday party that has been cancelled. Instead, bring your laptop into the garden with a cocktail in hand and pick a show to stream together. Upcoming titles include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Star Trek II.”

The Independent