Break out the bubbly and gather your golden girls, it’s time to celebrate an icon who has made us laugh for the past 80 years — and is still at it.
Beloved “Golden Girls” actress Betty White celebrates her 99th birthday January 17, and despite the pandemic, America’s sweetheart needs a proper party — even if it’s in front of your television at home.
White dished on her riveting birthday plans during an interview and, to the delight of fans of her work, revealed news of her current “Pet” project.
“You probably didn’t ask, but I’ll tell you anyway,” White said. “What am I doing for my birthday? Running a mile each morning has been curtailed by COVID, so I am working on getting ‘The Pet Set’ re-released, and feeding the two ducks who come to visit me every day.”
Referring to her 1970s show with both celebrity and furry guests, “The Pet Set” will be re-released on DVD and streaming platforms by MPI Media Group on Feb. 23, commemorating the show’s 50th anniversary.
While you will have to wait to reminisce with dogs, cats and pop culture greats like Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore and Burt Reynolds to name a few, there are other ways to celebrate the birthday gal on what should surely be a national holiday at this point.
Keep scrolling for a look at a wide variety of collectible DVD boxsets, streaming options galore, books, bobbleheads, face masks and even some Betty-inspired apparel.
After all, now could be the ideal time to stock up for next year’s celebration — when this bona fide American treasure can add “centenarian” to her laundry list of accomplishments.
Dust off the old DVD player and transport yourself back to simpler times with Betty.
The four-disc set features 41 episodes of “Life With Elizabeth” and “Date With the Angels,” making Betty’s birthday party last at least 17 hours. Whether you’re watching them for the first time, or rewatching after seeing them on your childhood television set, the jokes are timeless — just like the star herself.
If you no longer have a DVD player (and forget about a VCR), look to Amazon for all the “Golden Girls” you can handle.
All seven seasons of the show are now available on Amazon Prime Video, starting at $1.99 per episode or $13.99 for Season 1. Check out other platforms such as Hulu or Vudu for more streaming options to see Betty as Rose alongside her gal pals Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Blanche (Rue McClanahan) and Sophia (Estelle Getty).
Betty White has legitimately written the book on life, so you may want to ask her a tip or two.
In her 2011 New York Times best seller, “If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won’t),” White shares her observations on everything from Hollywood to hair care. “In this candid take on everything from the unglamorous reality behind red-carpet affairs to her beauty regimen (‘I have no idea what color my hair is, and I never intend to find out’), Betty White shares her observations about life, celebrity, and love (for humans and animals). Filled with photos, ‘If You Ask Me’ is funny, sweet, and straight to the point — just like Betty,” reads the book’s description.
The book is available at Barnes & Noble as a paperback or in e-reader form for Nook devices. Make sure to check out her other books, too: “Here We Go Again: My Life in Television,” “Betty White in Person” and “Betty and Friends: My Life at the Zoo.”
Even though Betty’s hair still looks amazing, grow your own on her character Rose with a “Golden Girls” Chia Pet.
The collection includes all the ladies from the show, but start with Rose on White’s birthday and soon you’ll have a bunch of green-haired ladies. Walmart also carries Dorothy, Sophia and Blanche.
Thank Betty White for being a friend, along with her “Golden Girls” co-stars, with this vintage photo tee from Urban Outfitters.
“Rep your favorite girl group with this regular fit T-shirt topped with a ‘Golden Girls’ graphic. Cut in a classic short-sleeve silhouette topped with a ribbed crew neck and straight hem,” reads the product description.
The 2020 election may be over, but Betty White is still the president of comedy no matter what.
Get this funny tee from Amazon and vote your approval for the longest career in showbiz no matter the year. The shirt is screen-printed on super soft and durable cotton, made in America. It comes in a wide range of sizes from XS through 6XL.
Color outside the lines, Betty won’t mind.
Adult coloring books are all the rage, and we like to picture Betty White in some sunlit room coloring away during the pandemic. Enjoy original designs of the star, with patterns and shapes for you to color. Share with a friend, as the book comes with two copies of each image, or try two different media or styles.
Of course, a pop-culture icon like Betty White has her own collectible Funko Pop! vinyl figure.
“Rose is in her snappy bowling outfit and she’s ready to beat everyone at all costs! Inspired by Season 1, Episode 7, ‘The Competition,’ Rose plays the hilarious backstabber. Add her competitive personality to your Pop! collection today,” reads the product description.
Go back and watch that episode, with your new Rose figure on the coffee table with you. The three other “Golden Girls” stars are also available in bowling attire, sold at Hot Topic individually.
Show your love for Betty White wherever you are, be it on your car’s bumper, the back of an envelope, your laptop or even a prime spot on the wall next to the television.
This 20-piece sticker set from Amazon features Betty in unique and artistic designs to add flair to any flat, smooth surface you choose to stick them to. Made of vinyl, they are made to last with a lightweight UV coating to protect the beloved visage from fading.
Only Betty White has her warm and endearing smile, but you can try to cop hers with some help from the artists at Redbubble.
Be safe while flashing Betty White’s smile with this face mask, designed by user Coloradorama on the artist-driven platform. Featuring a pretty shade of pink lipstick, this mask is sure to be a conversation starter, if not the best no-stress Halloween costume for this upcoming year.
