Everyone loves a good party, but will we forget how to let our hair down following two years of a pandemic? The predictions say we should expect a new roaring twenties. One for the 21st century.
I have read that our social lives will never go back to normal. Some writers predict gloom to make headlines. In Wuhan, a psychologist stated that some people may be so scarred by the pandemic that they will be too afraid to leave their home. Do we really think that we are going to see the end of hugs and handshakes? These things are our social rights and good for our health.
Cooped up consumers will be eager to socialise and personally I believe we shall soon be spending our money on party food and celebrations. Birthday parties will be bigger and family gatherings at Christmas more spectacular. We are, after all social animals.
Don’t start writing large invitation lists yet though. Covid is still in the midst playing the party pooper. What you can do is make your lockdown a little more fun with a micro party. It seems a little silly but times are hard and we are all in the need of cheering up. There will never be a better time to let your hair down so do not give up on thoughts of get-togethers and huge celebrations. Party organisers may be twiddling their thumbs at the moment, but they are waiting for an explosive ‘go ahead‘ and when that comes, watch out for some fireworks
MICRO PARTIES
During the last lockdown, whilst out walking in the park, I came across a mum with her small daughter sitting on the grass. They had made a circle with all her little girl’s teddies and were having a birthday party; Mum had made a cake and every teddy had a plate. It made me feel sad looking at the scene but at least Mum was trying to create a birthday party for her daughter. They were both smiling and having fun.
It is good to be silly when you can.
In February when I was staying in a retreat in Campello, near Alicante, Our bubble of people decided to celebrate Carnival. There were only six of us but we dressed up, painted our faces and made decorations. One of us cooked up a BBQ and the wine and music started to flow. Having a small party did lift our spirits.
I previously worked in the party industry for many years and have watched the trends with interest. I have hired fancy dress costumes, sold balloons, organised kids parties and generally learned how to celebrate. Society reacts to trends and if you look back over history you will see when we have partied the most.
After the great Medieval plagues in Europe followed the Renaissance. A time when we all enjoyed more entertainment. Carnivals, festivals and sporting events. Dressing up and make-believe helped us lift our spirits. We also cared more about culture and the Arts.
Following WW1 and over two years of the Spanish flu pandemic 1918-1921. The economy boomed, people embraced a new normality of consumerism Women cut their hair and left behind old Victorian values and if you had enough money, it was spent on dining and dancing. We entered the jazz age and ‘Anything Goes’. This period became defined as the Roaring Twenties.
My mother opened her first fancy dress shop during the mid-1970s. Society in the UK had been experiencing a three-day working week to cut down on power and was still in the middle of a recession. We endured power cuts, IRA bomb threats, industrial strikes and a Labour government. People had had enough and were eager to lighten up. The economy was at a low so people started to make their own entertainment. Parties were celebrated in the home or in their local village hall or community centre. It was a cheap way to celebrate, everyone bought a bottle and contributed to food. Themes were created to add interest. Fancy dress themes like Schooldays, Vicars and tarts, Hollywood Heroes became popular. Parties at Halloween became huge. Society was letting it’s hair down.
I cannot see it being any different, post-Covid. We have all raised concerns about the implications to our mental health when we are denied social interaction and activity. This Pandemic has been cruel. Are we in danger of going crazy and into overdrive when our restrictions are lifted? I really hope so, Let the party begin I say.
We need to respect the people who have lost their lives. We the survivors will raise a glass to them and of course remember what they went through. Life has a way to help us heal, and as always, throughout history, the celebration will help us to realise that there will always be room for laughter and good cheer. The ones that we have lost I am sure would approve.
One more thing!!!
Please let me know your thoughts on this in the comment box below. Thanks for reading.
