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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:
Willyoushutthefrontdoor · 17/04/2026 22:23

Unfortunately id just had a miscarriage. But my 2nd born, a daughter arrived 11 months later to the day so what was to be was to be. But I did do an Edinburgh weekend with the girls for my 40th. And a butlins weekender for my 50th which was so much fun

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.

dontforgetme · 17/04/2026 22:18

I’ve fucked this up, for some reason I read this thread as 21st birthday? Maybe I’m trying to relive my youth? My 30th I was 2 kids down and went bowling 😂

Leapintothelightning · 17/04/2026 22:17

I went out for a meal with my husband! Had plans to do a wee weekend away with my friends but there were still Covid travel restrictions so it never happened. We went for a night away a year later instead.

andfinallyhereweare · 17/04/2026 22:17

Dinner in Bob Bob Ricard in soho with my family, girls trip to Paris for the weekend and had a party in a pub. Loved it all!

Mrscharlieeeee · 17/04/2026 22:17

We did a trip to London and went to the st leger cup at Doncaster racecourse. My actual 30th birthday was also the day my DH knocked me up with DS1 😁

Ladybyrd · 17/04/2026 22:14

Had a really shitty meal with a really shitty ex boyfriend.

i despise zero birthdays. Much prefer the nines.

ApolloandDaphne · 17/04/2026 22:14

I was a week away from giving birth. I cried.

GreenLemonade · 17/04/2026 22:13

Went to Thorpe Park with a friend.

BashfulClam · 17/04/2026 22:13

I think I need to stop having birthdays, I got dumped on one, my dad was dying on another, I got Covid on my birthday 4 years ago, I got pneumonia two years ago and this year I’m meant to go in holiday but Trump might have caused a shortage of airline fuel..,,

TrixieFatell · 17/04/2026 22:13

I had a baby

Overpricedsmoothie · 17/04/2026 22:13

I honestly can't remember. These threads make me feel like I'm such a freak and I have lived a shitty life full of nothing.

tobermoryisthebestwomble · 17/04/2026 22:11

I had a party, and then flew off on the holiday of a lifetime the next day. I got loads of lovely gifts and have some great photos. I don't think I've got enough friends anymore to justify a big party.

gingercat02 · 17/04/2026 22:10

House party, we did the food. Lots of booze and fun. Before any of us had kids.

YeahHellYeah · 17/04/2026 22:10

My husband took me to Venice for my 30th. Best present ever!

I want a big party for my 40th as I’ve never had a party before.

BauhausOfEliott · 17/04/2026 22:10

Went away for a weekend with my DP and had dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

feministmom4ever · 17/04/2026 22:09

I rented a beach house for the weekend with my boyfriend and a few friends. I’m usually low key about celebrating birthdays, but this was a big one. I was a little bummed about the end of my 20s and wanted to do something fun, and I’m so glad I did!

Crushed23 · 17/04/2026 22:08

Flew out to Ibiza with friends and partied hard. 😊

I want to ‘top it’ for my 40th (in 4 years’ time), but there’s a chance I’m pregnant or have a young baby then, if DP and I decide to go down the baby route. 😭

BashfulClam · 17/04/2026 22:07

December2025 · 17/04/2026 22:05

I lost my grandma on my 21st. The pain nothing like when I lost my dad but I am so sorry you lost your loved one on your birthday. The date is forever different after x

Show quote history

It was a few days after it that he died but on the day he was in a coma struggling to breathe and we’d been told there would be no further treatment and he was DNR.

December2025 · 17/04/2026 22:05

BashfulClam · 17/04/2026 22:02

My Dad died.

I lost my grandma on my 21st. The pain nothing like when I lost my dad but I am so sorry you lost your loved one on your birthday. The date is forever different after x

dontforgetme · 17/04/2026 22:05

I was pregnant, went for drinks and curry with a big group, chucked up the whole time

TheyGrewUp · 17/04/2026 22:04

My boyfriend, who was v v skint, bought me a Penguin Classic and a hydrangea. We nicknamed the hydrangea Hilda and have many Hildas 36 years on. I also recall sobbing my heart out because my friends were getting married and having babies.

He married me not long after. 40 was fab. We had two DC, he bought me a painting and we had dinner with friends in a nice restaurant. I was developing gastro-enteritis and went outside to vomit between each course but nodded and smiled throughout and wept in the cab on the way home.

drspouse · 17/04/2026 22:04

I had a party on my balcony in East Africa and all my neighbours and colleagues and all my friends who were volunteers came. We had pilau (rice dish) and made tortillas (they usually eat chapatis which are cooked the same but a different recipe) and had guacamole which there is no translation for so we called it "avocado salad".
Lots of Zairian music and dancing and really mad presents as there was little available (and nobody had any money). Best party ever.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 17/04/2026 22:04

I organised a party involving champagne and cocktails at my house, taxis to a nice restaurant where we had a private area then taxis to a VIP section of a nightclub. It went well only for I found out I was pregnant just before and spent the whole night stressing over how to not drink or smoke. I was swapping out champagne for non alcoholic stuff and passing drinks to Dh. Thankfully I was feeling well and we danced all night, I was wrecked after but it was worth it. I was absolutely delighted to be pregnant but didn't really process til after. It's still a lovely memory to have

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 17/04/2026 22:04

Nothing and it was wonderful.

I stayed home alone, ordered food and watched Netflix. I thought about going out, but decided that I'd rather stay in, relax and watch my favourite things in peace