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Original poster

To ask what you did for your 30th birthday?

268 replies

AllaMova · 17/04/2026 20:52

Just out of curiosity. I have friends who didn’t celebrate at all, but I also have some friends who are going on special holidays etc.

OP posts:
JayJayj · 18/04/2026 18:19

I cried 😂😂
Did go for a family meal the weekend after my birthday and for a few drinks. But we treated very much as a normal birthday, since I was sad to be turning 29+1.

I did have a party for my 40th though.

HardFuckingBird · 18/04/2026 18:14

My husband took me on a steam train driving experience! I love trains so it was a real treat. Then the next day we had a meal somewhere smart.

I'm 40 this Christmas and I'm going to Marrakech just before my birthday - can't wait! On the day itself I'll probably just go for a low-key meal with my family - there are a couple of family-friendly restaurants nearby which serve excellent food.

catlover123456789 · 18/04/2026 18:08

I went to the London Aquarium, somewhere I'd always wanted to go.

PhilOPastry62 · 18/04/2026 18:02

Don't remember, but it wouldn't have been anything special. At that point in my life I was on my own with two small children, in a rubbish job pre-national minimum wage, struggling to keep us all afloat and make sure there was enough to eat. The first big birthday I celebrated was my 40th.

Cakedreams · 18/04/2026 18:01

It was the first anniversary of a family tragedy so kept it very low key, which has been the case ever since. My DH's was during the first lockdown so also very low key.

Laurmolonlabe · 18/04/2026 17:45

Had a Chinese takeaway- I had just started a course to learn to make costumes, which I funded myself- so there wasn't any money for anything fancier.

Original poster
AllaMova · 18/04/2026 13:33

zingally · 18/04/2026 13:26

I went for an afternoon tea at a fancy hotel with a couple of friends. The day after, I went to London for the day with a couple of different friends + sister.

I’m doing an afternoon tea for mine too. Hope you enjoyed!

OP posts:
NormasArse · 18/04/2026 13:29

The part I remember most is walking the 4 1/2 miles from one place to another, barefoot (my heels were hurting my feet), swigging from a magnum of champagne, with my friend.

Thirty years later, and I couldn’t do any of that!

zingally · 18/04/2026 13:26

I went for an afternoon tea at a fancy hotel with a couple of friends. The day after, I went to London for the day with a couple of different friends + sister.

SpiceGirlsNeedAComeBack · 18/04/2026 13:09

Nothing, had a major operation the next day. when I turn 40 I am booking a holiday aboard. 😂

Mama2many73 · 18/04/2026 13:07

A meal out with DH and DS. I've never wanted to make it overly special. We can't the day off or go away on our actual birthdays due to being teachers. I had people suggesting things for my 50th but that was during peak covid so just had a lovely meal at home (cooked by a local pub and dh collected it)

Disturbia81 · 18/04/2026 13:02

AttachmentFTW · 17/04/2026 21:50

I've enjoyed my 30s so much more than my 20s. I like myself more, I give less fucks, relationships feel more genuine and meaningful and I've have some amazing experiences. Come on in, the water's fine.

Edited
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40s are even better 🥳

Jasmin71 · 18/04/2026 11:20

Got married 🤣

Illbethereinaminute · 18/04/2026 10:58

Had a family meal, dinner out I think with my husband and went ice skating. I had a toddler so I was very limited.

This year I'm turning 40, kids are older and I would like to do something to celebrate but nobody wants to do anything so I might end up just celebrating by myself (or just pretending it isn't my birthday)

Duckswaddle · 18/04/2026 10:52

Heavily pregnant so didn’t really do anything.
Planning bigger and better for my 40th!

BrickBiscuit · 18/04/2026 07:09

Absolutely nothing. I tell no one, go to work as normal, and do nothing different on my birthday. Family send messages as they know about it, but no presents. That's how I like it.

Globules · 18/04/2026 06:54

Iocanepowder · 18/04/2026 06:40

Did you at least get some meatballs?

Show quote history

I can't remember.

I do recall treating myself to a slice of cake though.

Iocanepowder · 18/04/2026 06:40

Globules · 18/04/2026 06:22

Went to IKEA with my 4 day old daughter.

Did you at least get some meatballs?

Listlostlast · 18/04/2026 06:40

We were meant to be going away for the first time just me and DH since having a child (DS was 2ish) but I’d smashed up my leg a few weeks before so instead I was on crutches and we went for dinner in our local pub 😂
We did a spa weekend once my leg was better, but it’s not quite the same as a week in the sun 😂
I threw a big party for DH when he turned 30. Marquee in one of our fields, DJ til the small hours etc.

38woman · 18/04/2026 06:38

I saw Girls Aloud in Manchester

IfyouStealMySunshine · 18/04/2026 06:33

Went out for a meal with a couple of friends but was actually a surprise birthday meal with about 25 people there. Was really nice.

Imisscoffee2021 · 18/04/2026 06:25

Went to York with my husband and our friends, we stayed in a 5* hotel for a treat and ate and drank well, had a long hike in the Yorkshire countryside, spa etc. Loved it ❤️

Globules · 18/04/2026 06:22

Went to IKEA with my 4 day old daughter.

mellongoose · 18/04/2026 06:14

Went camping in north Devon with a load of friends. Such a fun weekend!

RampantIvy · 18/04/2026 06:10

maudelovesharold · 17/04/2026 22:21

I don’t remember! My 30th was decades ago, and I really don’t think it was considered a special ‘thing’ in those days.

I agree. People made a "thing" of 18, 21 and 40, but not 30 back then.