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Nothing for my 60th.

53 replies

Thevegetarianchef · 15/10/2026 20:58

I must say my dh was 60 in lockdown so I made a cake and we went to a local place of interest with our son.
So I approached 60 quite excited for a big birthday.No celebration for the other big birthdays due to work or lack of funds.
The day came and I got 3 cards.Nothing else.Not even one from a close relative.
Dh said one the day did I want some jewellery or a tv.
I find it hurtful 2 adult dcs and dh couldn't get anything, chocolate candles etc.
I bought myself some cheap flowers and bits and pieces since.
What would you do for yourself if you had the funds.?

OP posts:
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Thevegetarianchef · 19/10/2026 21:24

Poppedforgum no operation.
Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
RedRosie · 19/10/2026 17:37

I'm sorry @Thevegetarianchef ... Mine was also a damp squib in the "remembering" sense. Not even my parents remembered (but they are very very elderly now so that's totally fine). DH made up for it all though, with a fabulous holiday. So in your position I'd be hurt as well. It's especially hard when you make an effort for others and it's not reciprocated. 💐

MachineBee · 19/10/2026 17:22

Happy 60th OP.

I agree with PPs that you’ll have to tell them you were disappointed they didn’t do anything for you - no, you shouldn’t have to remind them to think of you, but unless you say something they just won’t realise.

Thoughtful gestures aren’t about spending a lot of money they work best when they show someone has put in some thought and time about what you like and acted accordingly.

ThisMauveTurtle · 19/10/2026 17:22

You can still celebrate your birthday.
Have a weekend away with dh and he can pay
Or have a weekend away without dh and he can pay

PrancingPanda · 19/10/2026 17:17

Many Happy Returns @Thevegetarianchef 💐💐💐💐
Hope you spoil yourself but I would have to tell the family that I was disappointed.
Cheers to you and a big, fat, fancy TV 👍👍👍

Poppedforgum · 19/10/2026 17:14

are you recovering from an operation and posted yesterday about them doing nothing for you?

SpiceoLife · 19/10/2026 17:11

Happy 60th Birthday 🎂🎁

You deserve better

Gettingbysomehow · 19/10/2026 12:53

Thevegetarianchef · 15/10/2026 20:58

I must say my dh was 60 in lockdown so I made a cake and we went to a local place of interest with our son.
So I approached 60 quite excited for a big birthday.No celebration for the other big birthdays due to work or lack of funds.
The day came and I got 3 cards.Nothing else.Not even one from a close relative.
Dh said one the day did I want some jewellery or a tv.
I find it hurtful 2 adult dcs and dh couldn't get anything, chocolate candles etc.
I bought myself some cheap flowers and bits and pieces since.
What would you do for yourself if you had the funds.?

I would divorce the lot of them that's what I'd do.
Its take mum/wife for granted syndrome.

Thevegetarianchef · 19/10/2026 12:43

Nothing Kerning.Ive now bought a lovely heated throw,some clothes and will continue to get what I want .
The husband said on the day do you want a tv as mines been playing up.No card from DD who we visited hundreds of miles away last week.
A card from ds.He manages to go out for meals and drinks.Admittedly rent in London isn't cheap.
Agree I'm 60 all year and it will be fantastic I will make sure of that.

OP posts:
Mary46 · 17/10/2026 18:53

Sorry to hear this op. My 50th my mother gave a card no gift. People are weird. I def dont make a fuss of others now lesson learnt. It did hurt though at the time.

grinandslothit · 17/10/2026 16:20

It sounds like your family is just used to not doing anything for you.
I think you have to lead with the expectation that they need to do something so they will step up. I find people just really don't pay attention to you doing it for other people as an example it's just becomes an expectation that they deserve it and you'll do it.

My 60th was spent in lockdown and we weren't allowed to go anywhere or do anything even locally, and I was alone it kind of sucked

SpaceAngel1999 · 17/10/2026 16:14

This is really sad. I’ve always saved hard for my families special birthdays even when money was tight. Even my friends I would treat extra special. happy birthday to you. Go treat yourself and f**k the lot of them

Freshrain · 17/10/2026 16:12

HappyViewer · 17/10/2026 10:22

I couldn’t agree more, life is too short not to have lovely birthdays, I’m worth it.

So many of my friends arrange nothing, play the martyr, say they don’t want a fuss etc etc and then get quietly upset or sulk on their birthday.

I agree with this.
You read it all the time on MN, where people are upset because other people didn't do what the OP wanted for their birthday (and sometimes other occasions) but they don't have any conversations with their dh / dc / whoever else is in their life to make it different the following year. It is like people are supposed to guess.

Blueraffle · 17/10/2026 11:58

Marshtit · 17/10/2026 05:32

dont forget op you have a whole year of being 60
make the year special

I agree with this. The actual day has passed but perhaps you could suggest something you’d like during the year, and also treat yourself to things you’d like for your 60th year as it happens?

It does sound like you’ll have to do the suggesting and organising but maybe that’s fine? I am sorry you had a disappointing birthday on the day itself though, I think your family could have done more to make you feel special even small things like phone calls are part of that.

Kerning · 17/10/2026 10:31

They didn't even get you a gift OP? You literally got 3 cards for your 60th birthday and that's it? I'd say it's unbelievable but these threads pop up with depressing regularity on here. So many women seem to get no thought or consideration from their families.

BigBrownBoogyingBear · 17/10/2026 10:25

Freshrain · 15/10/2026 23:39

What would you have liked ?
What do you normally do for all your birthdays ?
It sounds to me like you have brought your dc up in a way that has told them you don't like a fuss for your birthday, and that your dh has that impression too.

For big birthdays in our house, it gets raised months in advance - I mean, it's not a surprise it is approaching, is it?
I say things like "I'm going to arrange a party for my birthday this time"
DH says "I don't want a party, but lets go away somewhere a bit special" or "I'd like a meal with extended family".

I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who can't speak to their nearest and dearest about how they'd like to celebrate their birthday, but then moan when those close to them do what they have done every other year, and kept it low key.

I agree with this. If you wanted something different to the norm then you need to communicate this!

It's my 50th soon and I will be quite open about what I do (and don't 🤣) want to happen.

It's rubbish if your adult children did not even send a card or gift though. Is this the first year they have not bothered, or is it a regular thing? If they had form then I would have said to DH - Please remind DC about my birthday as I find it hurtful when they forget.

HappyViewer · 17/10/2026 10:22

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 17/10/2026 10:19

After a disappointing birthday life has taught me to set the bar very high.

I make exactly the plans for my birthday I want and go at enjoying myself hard.
People can join in if they like - but they'd better make it good.

I couldn’t agree more, life is too short not to have lovely birthdays, I’m worth it.

So many of my friends arrange nothing, play the martyr, say they don’t want a fuss etc etc and then get quietly upset or sulk on their birthday.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 17/10/2026 10:19

We went on a great holiday! Just me and DH. He’d had a party but we found some friends are flaky. I also had an Expensive meal out with family. Few remember me but I had an amazing holiday! Concentrate on what you can do and generate your own excitement. We went to the Arctic on a wildlife and experience cruise. Had a lot of fun.

DorsetKnobBiscuit · 17/10/2026 10:19

Fiftyandme · 15/10/2026 21:16

I got nothing for my 50th.

life has taught me to set the bar very low

After a disappointing birthday life has taught me to set the bar very high.

I make exactly the plans for my birthday I want and go at enjoying myself hard.
People can join in if they like - but they'd better make it good.

Madchihuahualady · 17/10/2026 09:57

HappyViewer · 17/10/2026 08:57

How old is your DM?

My mother is 92. Her mobility is minimal as in she needs assistance to move from her, chair, bed, going to the bathroom etc but there is nothing wrong with her memory, she is as bright as a button.

HappyViewer · 17/10/2026 08:57

Madchihuahualady · 17/10/2026 05:31

I totally understand, I was 60 in July, there is just my husband and my mum lives in a care home.
My husband bought me a nice m and s birthday cake, roses, nice chocs, a bottle of prosecco but after my birthday we went to look for a birthday present and it was actually our 30th wedding anniversary on my birthday. I was looking for a piece of jewelry but couldn't find anything but eventually settled for a silver ring from somewhere else which I think I chose as something to have.
We went out for a lovely lunch on the day even though I had hinted that I wanted to do a walk with alpacas.
My mum gave me a card but for the past 3 years, she has stopped saying take £50 out of her account, even though she always give me a list of what she wants for birthday and Christmas.
Now I know not to expect much and just get on with life.

How old is your DM?

WillieBanjo · 17/10/2026 08:24

@JoannCourcyIveGotThePowerNSoul

I couldn’t agree more,which is why I’ve hopefully shown my boys that thinking and preparing for Mums or anyone else’s birthday is fun,enjoyable and important.

So many threads on here sadden me. My Mum does a lot of the advice pp have suggested . No doubt she’d advise the same. But I don’t think it truly makes up for the person you love not finding an hr or two out of their day to plan and think of something.

I realise everyone is different x

Marshtit · 17/10/2026 05:32

dont forget op you have a whole year of being 60
make the year special

Marshtit · 17/10/2026 05:31

I organise any celebrations myself
a meal
a holiday
its the only way i find
i am sorry you felt let down op

Madchihuahualady · 17/10/2026 05:31

I totally understand, I was 60 in July, there is just my husband and my mum lives in a care home.
My husband bought me a nice m and s birthday cake, roses, nice chocs, a bottle of prosecco but after my birthday we went to look for a birthday present and it was actually our 30th wedding anniversary on my birthday. I was looking for a piece of jewelry but couldn't find anything but eventually settled for a silver ring from somewhere else which I think I chose as something to have.
We went out for a lovely lunch on the day even though I had hinted that I wanted to do a walk with alpacas.
My mum gave me a card but for the past 3 years, she has stopped saying take £50 out of her account, even though she always give me a list of what she wants for birthday and Christmas.
Now I know not to expect much and just get on with life.