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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:
Fidgety31 · 17/04/2026 22:02

I went on a 3 day bender .

Ponoka7 · 17/04/2026 22:02

AllaMova · 17/04/2026 20:58

I haven’t turned 30 yet, but it’s very soon… I’m having a weekend away with DP to London where we’ll watch Phantom of the Opera and mooch around some museums. 🥰

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I've just done this with my youngest DD, for my 58th Birthday. The quality of the singing is amazing. It will be something to remember.

We all went to Morocco for my eldest 30th. My middle DD did Mexico. My youngest is doing Asia, next year. I was dripping in babies, but went to Egypt for my 40th, a day at an aquarium for my 50th because it was snowing and I'm planning somewhere special for my 60th.

BashfulClam · 17/04/2026 22:02

My Dad died.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 17/04/2026 22:00

I went out for Chinese food and karaoke with friends. I'd been bitten by a blackfly on my ankle and had to wear flat, mule sandals with my dress. It was a long time ago, but it's amazing what I can remember of that night!

PollyannaWhittier · 17/04/2026 22:00

Nothing much with family. My friend took me to the zoo a few days after Grin

SoupSoupSalad · 17/04/2026 21:59

DC3 was a week old, we were only released from hospital the day before as he was very jaundiced and had low blood sugar.
DH made a risotto which I had to eat sitting on the floor because all his family came round to see me and the baby.

Sprinng2026 · 17/04/2026 21:58

I was 8 months pregnant on my 30th. Went to my friends mothers funeral which was a 90 minutes drive each way. Barely got back home in time for my older child returning from school. Ordered Chinese food, then drove to the beach for a walk. Legs felt like lead by then, so more of a trudge.
Then one last stop to see a friends renovated attic...which only had a rope for a handrail. Then finally home sweet home.
That what I did on my 30th 😆

RampantIvy · 17/04/2026 21:57

AllaMova · 17/04/2026 21:25

I hear you. I’m dreading the thought of being 30, it feels so official to me…

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Why?

I don't even remember what I did as it was over 37 years ago. We probably went out for a meal.

ExOptimist · 17/04/2026 21:57

I was married with 2 small children. I went on a hot air balloon flight, it was incredible. Loved it so much I've done quite a few more since then. Husband had a flying lesson where he could take control of the plane for a short while. Son and wife went to the Monaco Grand Prix for theirs.

doghasnoteeth · 17/04/2026 21:56

I was 8 months pregnant and went to bed drinking milk to help with heartburn 🤦‍♀️

aLogLady · 17/04/2026 21:56

had loads of friends over to our flat (I lived with my best pal) and everyone brought a dish. Had a big feast then went to the Christmas party of a local art venue that friends worked at, and they’d brought loads of 30th birthday paraphernalia. It was great. I mostly celebrate bdays by going for a walk on my own so this one stood out!

Nursemumma92 · 17/04/2026 21:56

I was pregnant with my 2nd DD and took my oldest to a fun fair and watched her and my DH on all the rides... not exactly how I imagined it!!

RoyalPenguin · 17/04/2026 21:55

Hired out a bar and had a big party (joint with three friends).

PinkOrchard · 17/04/2026 21:55

Went to Greece with my DH and 5 month old baby! Wonderful trip and best birthday so far. Agree with others about 30's being better than 20's! Feel far more sure of myself, not wasting time on fake friends etc. Enjoy seeing Phantom - it's great!

CatMum27 · 17/04/2026 21:54

West End show and a fancy lunch. I’m not normally big on birthdays but I’d had a tough few years and wanted to celebrate.

AttachmentFTW · 17/04/2026 21:54

And to answer your original question, I turned 30 on the Saturday of Glastonbury, drank too much and ended up in a hospital tent for a good chunk 😂 separate to that I had a house party for my friends and then my parents hosted a family party.

weebarra · 17/04/2026 21:53

Went to the Three Chimneys on Skye for an amazing meal. Was 6 months pregnant with DS1 so the meal was definitely cheaper without wine.

December2025 · 17/04/2026 21:53

I went to new York best holiday ever.

PeopleLikeColdplayYouCantTrustPeopleJez · 17/04/2026 21:53

Had an epiphany and started making plans to leave my (abusive) ex. Upsetting and scary at the time but in hindsight the best “big” birthday I’ve had so far.

Cel77 · 17/04/2026 21:52

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.

I hit a nightclub in London with some friends. It was before the kids arrived.

Original poster
AllaMova · 17/04/2026 21:52

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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I’m so pleased to hear that.

OP posts:
PrayForPlagues · 17/04/2026 21:52

Notreallyawaitress · 17/04/2026 20:56

Had to work, cried quite a lot I think - only ‘big’ birthday that I was upset about.

I was weirdly upset at 30 too. 40 didn’t bother me in the slightest!

AttachmentFTW · 17/04/2026 21:50

AllaMova · 17/04/2026 21:25

I hear you. I’m dreading the thought of being 30, it feels so official to me…

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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.

UnexpectedCurveBall · 17/04/2026 21:49

I had a party at a local golf club as I’d not done much for my 18th or 21st (both during exam season). I was pregnant with my second though so didn’t drink but had a lot of fun.

LadyInRainbow · 17/04/2026 21:46

Nothing friends tried to plan something but DD was 14 months old and had no one to babysit until she was 5, some of those friends would have had her but would have wanted them to come out. Makes me a bit sad they lost interest when I couldn’t go out and didn’t at least suggest coming over for a take away and wine or something. 40th also did nothing, two friends suggested a night out but I’d have had to do all the organising and a month after my birthday I gave up trying to find a day or night that fitted in both their busy schedules.