To not do anything for my 40th birthday?

A retreat thing? Most people go to them alone

I think it’s a terrible month for a birthday! It’s freezing usually, everyone still skint from Christmas. Too cold to have a party in the garden at home and my house isn’t big enough for a party fully inside. Which means having it in a restaurant or bar, which is too expensive.

I might do something in June instead, at home, when the weather is better, but it feels a bit silly marking my 50th 4 months after the fact.

My fortieth was in January during covid times and we booked a lovely lodge with a hot tub for the four of us, and took lots of delicious food and wine and had a great time. So good that we've done it every year since and it's great to have something to look forward to in the depths of winter.

I didn't do anything special for my 40th. I had a normal nice day with a bit of cake. I don't feel like I've missed out. If I want to do something I do it, I dont wait for a big birthday to give myself permission to go away or have a glass of champagne or whatever. Do what makes you happy, not what your friends and neighbours think you "should" do because you are X age.

I've never celebrated an 0 birthday without my mum having a bigger 0 one and the same month. 40 was 70, my bro suggested we take mum and dad to Venice. It was a fortnight before my birthday. DH and I had a lovely trip to London - gallery, show, meal and he bought me a special piece of jewellery.

Please celebrate it OP you will look back with regret otherwise. UK in January can be wonderful if you pick a good place but a few days away somewhere warmer might be amazing.

How about booking a show, shopping trip, go somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, spa, concert, gallery etc?

That’s a shame, Feb is a great month for a birthday and having something to look forward to eliminates any January blues.

I'm January too and for my 30th I spent it in Iceland with DH. It was magical and brilliant to be fair. Yes it was ridiculously cold but then you know to expect that.

Another January baby (and a particularly crap date in January too!). For my 40th we had about 8 friends over for a lovely, long, lazy lunch. I had a relatively tiny baby (about 2 months old) and a toddler at the time, so wasn't up for anything more raucous and expect I was in bed by about 8pm.

And I completely hear you OP on the response to 'just celebrate in the summer', etc. That's all well and good, but still doesn't solve the problem of what to do on your actual birthday. But equally, if you don't want to do anything, you don't have do. DH isn't fussed about his birthday so he'll treat it like any other day and we might go out for a low key meal.

Wow there's a lot of great ideas on here.
Unfortunately I'm not a winter baby, so I can't give you any personal ideas.
And, I have never felt the urge to celebrate a big birthday (even though I've got a really big one coming up in about half a year.)

I like the idea of a spa treatment in the day, and maybe meeting friends for a pub event in the evening if it doesn't get too out of control (don't want to drink too much and undo all the good from your relaxing spa experience)

It's a little early but, happy birthday!

Another January 40th birthday here! Im
having some friends and family round but our house is quite small so not sure how that will go... thought about a small gathering at a pub etc but felt that was extra stress. Least in summer we could be outside or have a marquee sort of thing in garden. Going away a weekend with friends a bit later in the year too when the weather is hopefully a bit nicer/warmer!

How about just celebrating your birthday the same as you would for any other year, and not falling for the nonsense of so-called big birthdays. An idea promoted to get you to spend more money, nothing else, except perhaps your 18th birthday when you legally become an adult.

Don't feel rubbish about not having some expensive outing/holiday etc for your birthday.

Also 40 in January but I’m single, no kids and don’t have the type of friendship circles where we’d go away together. I’m already feeling pretty rubbish about it!

No such thing as bad weather - just the wrong clothes :)

Seriously, look at a city break - Prague/Krakow - both very affordable - Krakow cheapest - easy reached, easy transport systems and so much history

Will be cold - yep - outside - insides are seriously warm - so good coat, hat, scarf and gloves and socks and walking shoes and that's it - both cities are extremely casual , no need to dress up or even change for dinner - sight seeing clothes are acceptable everywhere

p.s. when’s you birthday? Mine’s the 15th!

Winter in Europe? Can be gorgeous in the cold! Paris, Berlin, Budapest to name a few all wonderful cities to explore. Just check there's not 10 foot of snow and go embrace it!

Up to you. I know three friends who basically ignored their 40ths. Each to their own, but I think it’s a shame not to mark it. Do you have family you could go for a meal with? Friends who’d go with you for dinner or an outing somewhere nice?

I’m 40 in February not doing a party as we just had a new baby and are doing a christening instead I’m planning a meal at our house or the pub with my DPs, DH, DCs, DSis and DNephew, then maybe a weekend away somewhere when it’s warmer (in the UK) with DH and DCs, then if my friends want to meet up, a low key lunch in London one Saturday with old friends.

I’m 40 in January too @Sundaycoffee 🙂 I’m just having close family round for a meal and cake, as usual.
I’m not doing a party for friends and extended family because I hate being the centre of attention and I never enjoy it because I worry so much about whether other people are having a nice time 😂

I will be doing mini celebratory meals out, coffees, theatre trips etc with friends throughout the year (several of them will be 40 too). I am just thinking of it as a ‘yes’ year, where if I just see as many people who love me as I can. I had saved up money for a holiday but decided to spend it throughout the year on these social events instead.

Hoseasons lodges are quite lovely - get one with nice walks nearby and a log burner for 3 nights over a weekend?

DH and I went for lunch to the Greenhouse in Mayfair. I love that restaurant. And then stayed in a hotel and parents looked after the DC. Mine was early Feb so I know what you mean about the cold and wet.

I’m going to be 50 in Feb and am not doing anything, for all the same reasons!

Canary islands. Nice weather, very different feel from the summer. Have fun!

I belong to Extreme Day Trip group on Facebook

Some people go to Alicante or other warm places for 1 day
You could make a weekend of it ?
Prices are cheapest the earlier that you book

Iceland spa for 1 day ?

I went to the Caribbean for my 40th in January, it was a bargain price as low season!