TooLilac Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I have a "big birthday" coming up in a few months, and could do with some inspiration. I don't particularly want a fancy do or big party, and in any case my birthday is around Christmas which tends to be a tricky time to do anything much. I had a mini-midlife crisis when I was 37 and did lots of "adventure" running races, such as Hellrunner; so I don't feel the need to do a marathon/skydive before I'm 40. I have a friend who is organising a big masked ball for her birthday - I don't want anything like that, but I think if I'm ambivalent and just let it pass, I'll be disappointed I didn't make some effort (ok, I'm very contrary!) Please tell me what lovely things you did (or someone else arranged for you) to mark your big birthday. I need inspiration! (or at least some good ideas to pass onto my OH to arrange...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 For my 40th we went for a week to Centerparcs,expecting a nice,quiet family time with a few good meals out. Imagine our horror to find the Husbands parents had decided to surprise us by coming along too,& also 'invited' my SIL,her husband & their 4 children They seemed to think that is was a case of the more the merrier,whereas I REALLY wanted a quiet day,no fuss & a bit of pampering. Its one I won't forget in a hurry,anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 My birthday is at the beginning of December and for my 40th last year I had a party. Put up the gazebo in the garden, loads of lights, lit the garden chimera, lots of food and drink, did a playlist of all the music I like (which also my friends like) and had a great night. It was a bit quiter than I'd have liked but sadly my elderly neighbour had died that morning and I wanted to show some respect for his widow. I did want to go away to see if I could see the northern lights, but sadly due to logistics we couldn't. Actually, we wouldn't have gotten to see them as there were no sightings, so saved money really. Until I bought my dog I look forward to hearing what you end up doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 My OH asked me what I wanted to do, and after saying I didn't know, but I didn't want a big party, he told me he was taking me away for a long weekend and that I'd need my passport. After lots of badgering he told me more or less what to pack. I really didn't know where we were going until we stopped at the departure gate It worked out brilliantly (we went to Lisbon ) but if you are less keen on this type of surprise then you could suss out somewhere you'd like to go and ask to be taken! City breaks are fabulous in December, we often go somewhere cold for a weekend, you scoot about with frequent stops for hot toddies, coffees and spoiling cakes and other goodies to keep your energy levels up I made the mistake of saying I didn't want any fuss on my 30th....and there wasn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooLilac Posted August 3, 2012 Author Share Posted August 3, 2012 ok, my first reply disappeared - so I'll try again ! argh - Cinnamon ! Poor you! Gate-crashing inlaws is SO not my idea of a good time, let alone a big birthday ! I think I'd me a birthday-diva and have a strop !! BK - your party sounds lovely (sad about your neighbour, though!). Our garden is chokka with chickens, so we'd struggling to find a poo-free spot for a gazebo I do like the Northern Lights, but logistics, cost and reluctance to either leave the kids at home or take them with us puts me off a bit ! I'm usually the one that makes a fuss of others on their birthdays, I bake special cakes and start squirrelling away surprise pressies months in advance - but no-one seems that bothered about mine I half-like the idea of a retro-1990's disco with all the music I remember from when I met my OH (He used to DJ a punk night when we were young so long ago!). But I hate being the centre of attention, and I think I wouldn't be able to relax and would just worry about the arrangements. Plus I'm not great on delegation.... Daphne - sounds fabulous, your OH did really well ! Basically I need a mind-reader ! (I also made the mistake of saying I didn't know what I wanted for my last birthday. I'd just had Christmas so coudln't think of any good pressie ideas. So my OH got me nothing. not a jot. not a card or a cake. I was so disappointed ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I'm usually the one that makes a fuss of others on their birthdays, I bake special cakes and start squirrelling away surprise pressies months in advance - but no-one seems that bothered about mine Same here. I don't think its because they don't care. More the fact they are used to you doing everything, so when it comes to doing something for you, they just don't think. Well, thats what it is like here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 It was hubby's 40th earlier this year, we jetted off to Vegas where we acted like big kids, gambled, ate at Michelin starred restaurants and basically had a blast It's my 40th early 2014 and we've decide we are going to do the same again.... The saving has already started Last time we over spent by well over a grand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Pick 40 things you want to do before you are 50! A couple could be ideas for your birthday itself and the rest could be, well, anything! From day trips, books to read, hobbies to try etc. this would also provide friends and family with a handy list of ideas for future birthdays, Christmas presents, special occasions etc Sorry, doesn't really give you any more ideas of how to celebrate your 40th though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 My 40th was marked by a surprise party on new year's eve (my birthday is on new year's day) which Phil and my best friend had organised, they hired a local bar, music and asked everyone to wear black; Phil bought me the most gorgeous red, flamenco-style dress and I had an absolute ball. It's my 50th this coming new year and I haven't planned anything really except the The Boy and I will hire a vintage motorbike and side car to take out for the day when the weather improves. I hope that yours is unforgettable too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 It was my 40th last year and, like Space Chick, I went to Vegas. It was fab, I went to see Matt Goss and spent an evening thinking I was a teenager again! I even got to meet him and got a kiss on the cheek 'swoon'. I also had my picture taken with the lion cubs at the MGM and got to shake David Copperfields' hand during his show. A quick stop in New York on the way home for some shopping (Jimmy Choos ) and I couldn't have had a better birthday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 The year we were both 40 we went on a 9 day wildlife cruise around the Hebrides and out to St Kilda in the August, which was brilliant (apart from the seasickness going out to St Kilda! ). My actual birthday was at Easter when we were on holiday in Scotland and we spent the day at Cream o'Galloway, eating the best ice cream in the world! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Lots of 40 something's around here! I am 40 next year and am planning a short break with immediate family. I don't want a party or too much fuss. A good friend of mine is having her 50th year, and she is much more of a party animal than me, but instead is having a 50th year, and doing something special each month all involving friends and family which I thought was really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohcarolina Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I didn't want a big party either. I decided that I wanted to spend time with my brother, sister & 4 nieces (I'm single & childless) and paid for us all to spend Christmas at Center Parcs (sod the cost we love it there). It was fab They in turn cashed in the air miles and sold their souls (I reckon) and paid for me and my 16 and 18 year old nieces to spend 5 days in New York (which was exactly where I wanted to go BTW). They did a 10 clue treasure hunt for me to find out and I was completely blown away by their thoughtfulness and generosity. We had a marvellous time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Love reading these as it is my 40th this year and I was looking for inspiration too. Although I am secretly (i.e. shouting loudly and getting on everyone's nerves) wanting a dog. I think weekends away are made harder with small children so Centreparcs is a good idea, although I'd quite fancy a weekend in Paris. Mmm getting a bit expensive though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 For my 40th, I'd like to go to Salzburg Austria. As I used to live there it would be nice to go there - drink Spezi & eat dumplings & Mozart balls. I'd like to go up the Untersburg & go on the Wolfgang See. Otherwise I'd like a barbecue ( in October ) on the beach & a marquee on one of fields. Got a few years yet though! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I've got a big birthday soon and was going to organise a craft party like a friend did but decided what I really wanted to do was throw stones in the sea and eat fish and chips on the beach with the old man so that's what we're going to do Probably a bit tame idea for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 My 40th is in a few weeks time and there is so much going on (busy with work, in the middle of buying a house, preparing for second round of ivf) that it seems to have sort of got lost in the chaos! A couple of people have asked me what Im doing for my 40th and it's sparked off a little bit of panic for me! As far as I know, there's nothing planned ...and like you, I'm usually the one organising for everyone else. I don't want a big surprise party or anything (don't like being the centre of attention either) but I will be so sad if no-one bothers to do anything Hmm. Not really a suggestion, more of a commiseration...sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 For my 40th I did a trek along the great wall for Cancer research UK and had a party - 'what your worse when the ship went down' at home, with palms, and lots of theming in the house. Recently at a charity event I am working on I met a lady doing 50 things for her 50th year. I want to canoe the non-tidal length of the Thames (146 miles) for my 50th in under 2 years time, but not much enthusiasum from the rest of the family for this! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooLilac Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 ooh, lots of lovely ideas - but I might need to win the lottery before I could consider some of them Plum - that sounds lovely - and is exactly what I decided to do for my 18th (in Whitby, I had gothic tendencies ) I like the '50 things before I'm 50' - surely I'll be less tired and broke by then ???!!? I'm putting my thinking cap on and making a list of the things I like. Then I'll hand it over to my hubby. What I would really like for a pressie is an adventure week at around Easter time. How did I manage to get to 40 without ever canoeing, abseiling or bouldering ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Recently at a charity event I am working on I met a lady doing 50 things for her 50th year. Tracy I am fifty in a couple of years. Didn't do anything for my 40th other than at school where they put up posters much to my embarrassment Not my idea of fun I like the idea of 50 things in her 50th year, my husband will also be 50 one month after me, so should we do 100 things Also like the idea of doing something special each month, perhaps we should mark our 50th birthdays. An evening out with close friends and family sounds nice, as does fish and chips at the beach. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 You could also maybe mark the day with a piercing or a tattoo,if that appeals? I got a piercing for my 43rd (I think!), & am getting another for my 46th this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I want to canoe the non-tidal length of the Thames (146 miles) for my 50th in under 2 years time, but not much enthusiasum from the rest of the family for this! Tracy I drove the back-up vehicle when my ex and a friend did the Westminster-Devizes race on the Thames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooLilac Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 I was a bit tempted to get another tattoo, Cinnamon. But I'm already a bit of a pin-cushion so I fancied something instantly more gratifying but without any pain ! perhaps I shoudl just get my self a bar of Galaxy ?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisFan Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 It was my 40th this year and the best man at our wedding said (this was a few years ago) that the best way to remember my birthday was to forget it once! and I have to say that its the only day in the whole year that you have all to yourself not shared with other mums on mothers day etc and you should really revel in the fact that you have the perfect excuse to ask people to do almost anything! I held an "open house" but at our local pub, the landlord was great, let my have my ipod on all day and people just popped in and out so more couples with kids in the day and and drinkers at night, it was great and no pressure at all, I did various other things with friends and family and made the whole thing last 2 weeks altogether but had a ball ! It doesn't matter what you do as long as its something that you want to do and not what you feel you should do, and don't rely on OH's to organise something, tell them what you want as they are rubbish at picking up hints! Hope you have a great time and let us know what you do do ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I'm going to have a "survival" party for my 40th, I love things like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
