No not have a party or a holiday abroad for my 50th birthday

It’s not weird to not celebrate your birthday. It’s fine of course. What is really weird is people getting so angry and sweary about other people having parties. Makes you wonder why they take it so personally…

Big fusses over adult birthdays makes me cringe as well. So fucking what? It's hardly something for people to get defensive about. Even what the OP has got planned would be overkill for me.

I hope you have a lovely time OP doing what suits you.

Tbh, three meals out is a quite a blow out for one birthday for a lot of people.

What you're planning sounds fine, OP. I think some people often book a holiday they might have been thinking about booking anyway and say "it's for my birthday". It's nice and joyful to acknowledge landmarks if you want to.

As lots of people have said, you should do whatever you want, it doesn't matter how anyone else thinks you "should" celebrate.

I always use my birthday as an excuse to get people together. It can be hard to arrange stuff sometimes but "let's go out for my birthday" is a good focus

YANBU at all! It's your birthday and you should do what you enjoy not what other people think you should enjoy 🙂

Celebrate 50 years of life by liberating yourself to do whatever the fuck you want.

I was 60 this year and my friends were appalled that I just treated it like any other day. I didn’t want a party or a holiday, my DC know not to bother with cards or presents. I just see a birthday as a year closer to death.

Do you have children? Did you ever organise a party for them?

This is Mumsnet. Where you are not allowed to celebrate birthdays once you stop being a child! It is the home of the terminally resentful, friendless and joyless.

OP celebrate how you want of course!. I have one friend who did nothing, several who did various small dinners and an equal number who did big 50th parties. All were happy and nobody was judged. Enjoy your plans!

Not everything is a conspiracy (by who? Clinton cards?) - some people just like celebrations. Some don't. Both opinions are completely pedestrian and fine.

Your birthday your call. I will be 50 soon and plan nothing. I don't even have anyone to invite. I will just get myself something nice. 🤷

Or people can have a blow out and lots of fun if they want. I don’t like organising parties so I don’t, but I do go out for nice meals with people I like and buy myself impractical things or go on hols if I want to. Not everybody does something because someone is pressuring them.

How good to read of your plans, OP. Not falling for the nonsense of 'big birthdays', which are an attempt to get people to spend more money instead of wisely investing in things they can benefit from every day.

I had mine on my own in lockdown, It was so peaceful & reflective.

The best birthday for you will be the one you spend doing whatever makes you happy. It's not anyone else's business.

You’re not really grasping the concept of an advice forum, are you?

We went to New York the year I turned 50, it was booked before I’d even made the connection. I just kept telling people it was for my 50th to shut them up. I love going to other people’s parties but absolutely don’t want one for myself.

This.

Why on earth is she your best friend? You sound like you can’t stick her.

Not RTFT OP but I 100% abso fucking lutely agree with you.

I was 50 in September and the constant pressure from everyone to have extravagant celebrations which cost the earth is astounding. I did a few nice things and treated myself to some beautiful items and that was enough.

Your plans not only sound lovely but they sound meaningful too.

Happy Birthday for November?

Are you planning a big bash? ….. 😄

Yanbu. I didn't do anything for my 50th (or 40th, or 30th etc).
I had the day off work, went to the tip and the gym and wagamama for tea.

It's your birthday you celebrate it however you like 😊 I hate parties and never have them ❤️

I was about 5/6 when I learned that I really don’t like parties so Yabu for it to take 50 years imo. I don’t know why people get so curmudgeonly about adult birthdays - I think people can do what they like. I usually have a nice meal with my family and often a day out with my bestie where she will treat me and something with my sister and I take a cake to work. I don’t want a “party” as such because I don’t like parties, not because I think I’m a trash human who doesn’t deserve anything nice. I do think I’m important, not sure why people don’t think they are important. I’ve seen plenty of threads where adults have had birthdays and their crap families couldn’t even be arsed to make them a meal or even buy a supermarket cake at zero effort and I think it’s sad.

@eyespartyparty I know! God forbid my "best friend" talks about me behind my back like that. Please have big parties! My sister and two of my three best friends love a big birthday party and I love going to them, it's a great opportunity to see people and give your loved ones a big fuss 😍

Do you usually struggle to make decisions and need the help of strangers? Do what you want. No one else cares what you do.