There were no long congas weaving in and out of neighbours’ houses and no trestle tables crammed together in the streets.
No one sneaked a snog from or danced the Lindy Hop with a rather attractive stranger.
And the pubs once packed with euphoric punters stood empty and quiet while the bonfire parties and fireworks never got off the ground.
But while coronavirus crisis had put a dampener on elaborate mass celebrations, the 75th anniversary of VE Day did not pass the nation by.
Because Brits in isolation who have been coming out week by week to clap our front-line carers were determined to honour the heroes of the Second World War too.
And, though far fewer in number, the lives lost to this new enemy and those being put on the line every day, mades us shed more tears for the millions of war dead and their grieving loved ones.
So the mass street parties of 1945 were replaced by socially-distanced ones in this strange, new world of two-metre distancing.
But it could not stop a glorious sense of unity, hope and patriotism sweeping through Britain’s communities.
Elderly people in isolation put up deck chairs in their front gardens, families set up barbecues on their drives and homes were decked in flags, bunting and red, white and blue balloons.
And those still aching to be reunited with loved ones choked back tears as they sang the wartime anthem that is as poignant today.
“We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when.....”
Preparations began early as people wanted everything in place in time to join the moving two-minute silence.
Then, as a Spitfire and Hurricane soared through blue sky over the white cliffs of Dover a “skywriter” etched We Will Meet Again and Thank You above the skies of Henstridge airfield, Somerset.
It was time to party... almost like it was 1945.
Locals In the village of Kelvedon, Essex, held tea parties.
Clare Berrett, 41, joined in with her youngsters, Isabel, seven and Henry, four.
She said: “It was a wonderful day and I think the current situation made us think even more about what VE Day actually meant.
“Although we’ve probably never been further apart from our loved ones, friends, family and neighbours, in some ways today made us realise that we’ve actually never been closer, and appreciate the life we have.”
In Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Rusty “Grumpsy” Waughman, DFC, was out early chatting to youngsters helping prepare his street’s party.
Rusty, 97, flew with 101 Squadron in the Battle of Berlin when few of the crews who went out came back. “Our squadron casualty rate went up to 60%,” he said. “You didn’t expect to survive, you just existed.
“If you lost a comrade you used to go down to the mess and drink his health. But then you’d say ‘And here’s to the next one to die.’
"Today is a day of remembrance for those of us who did survive.
“In 1945 we marked the fact that the war in Europe was finished.
“They kept the mess bar open so all the boys and girls drank the place dry. Then we walked to a pub and drank that dry too. So I can’t remember much after that!
"Today, sitting in my arm chair, I’ve been thinking of all the friends that aren’t here anymore. But then I come out here to see these wonderful new friends - these neighbours who have been such a help during this crisis.”
Elsewhere, children chalked rainbows and soldiers on the pavement as tea tables were set up.
In Trevis Road, Southsea, little Dylan Jeffrey, seven, proudly sported a Union Flag face painting while in Liverpool, Gabriella Gore, five, proudly showed off her evacuee-style dress, complete with address tag.
In Cambrian Road, Chester residents really went to town, with everyone dressing up in 1940s clothes.
Accordian player Matt Baker said: “We wanted to make this a really special day. After the trials of the last few weeks it’s a chance to let our hair down and pay tribute to the Second World War generation.”
Some families popped inside to watch the BBC programme replaying Churchill’s 3pm victory speech.
But others were just waiting for Dame Joan Collins to give us the thumbs up to pop the fizz.
Instead she gave a Churchillian V sign from the balcony of her London home as she and husband Percy led the nation in a toast.
Dame Joan, 86, said: “Let’s raise a glass and give a toast to the great heroes of World War Two. They gave so much to us, now we give thanks to them.”
She went on: “We must never forget the selflessness of all those who sacrificed so much to keep us free, including all the courageous women who put their lives on the line for this nation’s struggle.
“From their dangerous work as ARP air-raid wardens and ambulance drivers, as munitions factory-line workers, as code-breakers at Bletchley Park, as radar operators and plane spotters, as nurses and mechanics, the women of this country were an inspiration to women today.
“I remember clearly coming home one morning, after spending the night in the Marble Arch underground during a particularly vicious raid, to find our block of flats had entirely disappeared and in its place, a pile of rubble.
“I stared at the faces of the ARP rescue parties, their faces drawn and soot covered, who had dug frantically all night long for survivors while I, as a child, could only think about the fate of my favourite doll.”
In Bedfordshire the landlord of Captain Tom Moore’s local pub also raised a toast as other publicans rang the “time” bells in their empty bars..
All 30 houses on Trafalgar Terrace in Ystrad Rhondda, were decorated in bunting – some with rainbow patterns to recognise all key workers. And families gathered in their front gardens to eat together while maintaining their distance.
They included Rae Saunders - who was born on VE Day 75 years ago.
Rae said: “My older sister and my cousin thought the street parties were for my birthday!
“I have lived in this house since 1951 and everyone on the street is friendly. We always get together for these national occasions and this pandemic wasn’t going to stop us.
At 9pm they, and other neighbours isolated but united across Britain, will join in the mass sing-song led by Dame Vera Lynn.
And as the strains of her iconic war-time anthem rang out they knew they really COULD keep smiling through.
Til the blue skies chase the dark clouds far away.
