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Original poster

To not do anything for my 40th birthday?

39 replies

Sundaycoffee · 20/11/2025 16:14

It's in January. I'm not into doing a big party. I would love to go on holiday but anywhere warm enough at that time of year (outside of Europe realistically) is unaffordable for me. Even going on a UK break in January feels a bit pointless when the weather is no doubt going to be too hideous for nice country walks. All you winter babies, how did you celebrate your big birthdays? Any ideas of what i could do or where I could go that won't be affected by the weather?

OP posts:
Lifealwaysgetsbetter · 20/11/2025 19:58

Sundaycoffee · 20/11/2025 16:14

It's in January. I'm not into doing a big party. I would love to go on holiday but anywhere warm enough at that time of year (outside of Europe realistically) is unaffordable for me. Even going on a UK break in January feels a bit pointless when the weather is no doubt going to be too hideous for nice country walks. All you winter babies, how did you celebrate your big birthdays? Any ideas of what i could do or where I could go that won't be affected by the weather?

Give me your nearest airport and what weekend works and I’ll find you a great deal!

Lifealwaysgetsbetter · 20/11/2025 19:58

Sundaycoffee · 20/11/2025 16:14

It's in January. I'm not into doing a big party. I would love to go on holiday but anywhere warm enough at that time of year (outside of Europe realistically) is unaffordable for me. Even going on a UK break in January feels a bit pointless when the weather is no doubt going to be too hideous for nice country walks. All you winter babies, how did you celebrate your big birthdays? Any ideas of what i could do or where I could go that won't be affected by the weather?

Jan long weekend in Malta, Madeira, Tenerife, Malaga, Lisbon - all warmer, sunnier and mega cheap in Jan! Can even do one night two days!

MakeMineAMilkyTea · 20/11/2025 19:39

Takeaway tea tomorrow with immediate family and then cocktails with the girls Saturday. I may take myself to the gym Sunday and chill round the pool and sauna but I haven’t yet decided. That’s how I’m spending my 40th! No parties as have told hubby I will turn round and walk out!

PermanentTemporary · 20/11/2025 19:38

We were broke to the wide. But I like a party. So I invited everyone I could think of, found a bottle of value vodka in a cupboard, bought a lot of orange juice and crisps, put tea lights in jars, and made a playlist of one song from every year of my life. We made a profit because so many people brought booze! But mostly it was just great fun.

frozendaisy · 20/11/2025 19:32

Weekend to Paris on Eurostar.

Lots of art, wine, relaxing in hotel.

Endofyear · 20/11/2025 19:22

Why not a lovely country house hotel for a spa break in January? Hotels are usually pretty quiet then and have some good deals. You can have lovely meals, treatments and pampering and wrap up warm for some walks - lovely if its cold, crisp and sunny.

cornbunting · 20/11/2025 17:21

DH and I are the same age, with winter birthdays a couple of weeks apart. Neither of us are particularly party animals, and for various reasons travel abroad is not top of our "fun" list either, especially at this time of year.

For our last milestone birthday we had a trip to a local wildlife park and did one of their VIP animal experience things with the children. It was absolutely brilliant, memorable and fun, and a real "splash-out on something you wouldn't normally consider" thing.

A birthday celebration can be whatever you like 😊

FastTurtle · 20/11/2025 16:56

Party at home and an amazing trip to Prague
for my 50th.

Party in a pub and a cruise for my 40th.

Other birthdays,

Night out in the pub with a bunch of friends , I bought lots of tapas dishes and we all paid for our own drinks.

Mini breaks to Berlin and Budapest and one night stays in UK in spa hotels with nice walks and yummy food. I really recommend a nice UK break even if the weather is bad it’s so nice sitting by the fire before dinner and having the breakfast etc.

Holidays to warm places such as Cape Town, Dubai, Caribbean, cruises.

MyAmusedPearlSquid · 20/11/2025 16:31

How about a nice hotel and meal sightseeing or similar my dh birthday is in January and we usually do a 2 night mini break and meal

Original poster
Sundaycoffee · 20/11/2025 16:28

Whoevenarethey · 20/11/2025 16:24

If you know you want a warm holiday why not just book something for later in the year? It doesn't have to be on your birthday.
Maybe then just do something smaller, meal out, spa day, activity you might like to try.

I suppose as we tend to go abroad in the summer anyway so it wouldnt feel any different to just going on our usual summer holiday!

OP posts:
HungreeHipp0 · 20/11/2025 16:28

I'm also turning 40 in January. DH and I are heading to London for a weekend, nice hotel, theatre etc. A very rare time away from DC!

Whoevenarethey · 20/11/2025 16:24

If you know you want a warm holiday why not just book something for later in the year? It doesn't have to be on your birthday.
Maybe then just do something smaller, meal out, spa day, activity you might like to try.

ContinuewithGoogle · 20/11/2025 16:22

can you celebrate later? If you can't afford to go away, can't you afford to go away in May/ June when it's warmer?

redmimi · 20/11/2025 16:22

Would you enjoy a spa weekend? A relative is doing that for a 50th birthday in January as other options don’t appeal for the same reasons that you’ve mentioned.