How would you choose to celebrate your 50th birthday?

[ParentsPleaseBehave]

I don’t mean presents!

How would you celebrate? A big party? Or ... ????

I just don’t know what to plan for mine. Old school / uni friends are already starting to organise their party / holiday but I just don’t know what I’d like to do. But I don’t what to do nothing and then regret it.

We could manage a party / city break / nice holiday.

I’m keen on experiences and an hour north of London.

Not sporty at all and not keen on spa days. Food and drink are my favourite hobbies!

Factors to consider are (1) it’s in January (sob) and (2) I have DCs doing GCSEs and A levels this year so I’m thinking a holiday over Feb half term / Easter / May half term is just a potential nightmare.

What would you do?!

I would love to be inspired. Thank you!!!

Bath Spa and afternoon tea at the Pump Rooms.

Good one - but can you believe we went to Bath for DH’s 50th earlier this year!

Sooooo outing 😂

I’m abandoning the family and going to Vietnam Cambodia and Thailand for 12 days. Don’t fancy a party and this sounded a grand idea after a decent amount of wine one night...

A cruise somewhere I've never been

I didn't!!

I ignored it and told everyone that any cards with a 50 on them would go straight in the bin!

We’re going to Iceland on a self-drive to see the northern lights.
Hope it’s not cloudy!

I had a massive party. Over 150 guests . Bigger than many weddings. Had an absolute ball, but had to promise DH I’d never have another.

Still celebrating it 6 months later. A year of fun things.

Not sure but do make sure you do something good and make your wishes clear. I didn't and I do regret it.

It would always be a trip for me. DH's birthday is 4 months before mine, so for our 40ths, we went to NYC 2 months after his and 2 months before mine. I then had a big posh lunch with a load of girlfriends and put some money towards the bill.

I had friends who created a bucket list for their 50ths, things to do throughout the year of turning 50, which looked fab.

@WanderingMind that’s a fab idea!

OP I’d maybe list 50 things to do the year you turn 50 and include a few restaurants. There’s something called Chef’s Table on Netflix and each episode showcases standout chefs - think most are Michelin star, you could choose your favourites and visit a few?!

Think I’d be really indulgent and leave the kids at home!

Budget? And would you prefer to spend it on (1) yourself,(2) yourself and DH, (3) yourself, DH and the DC, or (4) friends/family?

I would go for a nice meal with DH&DC and a weekend away with DH, eg European city.

Or posh meal with DH.

I’m planning on going to Las Vegas. Cheesy, tacky, glitzy and exactly what I want to do to celebrate my half century.

No party, took my at the time 11 year old on an overland trip across Morrocco.

The year I am 60, he will be 21, we will do another adventure trip.

I'd go to a show with a couple of close friends or dh and stay in a luxury hotel.
I'd eat and drink lots of expensive things

Massive party/our own festival, with lots of friends & kids & family and all our shared history and people we've met along the way, with everyone camping, old rave DJ's and live music and lovely food and drink all weekend. And glitter, lots of (biodegrabable) glitter!

Oops biodegradable not biodegrabable, that's not a thing!

I'm only 2 years away from this myself and have given it some thought. I'd love to go on a mini break but unless DH gets a job after his teacher training we'll be down the chippy! But if money was no object i'd like to see Amsterdam, Paris, Nice, or Reykjavik. Stuff a party. I don't have anyone i'd want to invite tbh!

Here's a list of best European places to visit in January. .

Best places in Europe to visit in January: London, Paris, Florence (for short museum lines); Sicily, Crete, Southern Spain (for good weather)

Have fun planning and have a fab 50th!

I rented a villa in Italy for a fortnight in the summer, and invited parents, sibling and our kids. Everyone paid their own travel and we shared the catering costs and effort. We had a lovely time.

I had afternoon tea at home on my actual birthday, for my friends and neighbours, and asked for donations to my favourite charity instead of presents.

I'm 50 next year and DH is already muttering about ideas. A party is my idea of hell so it will probably be a holiday. We were due to go to Switzerland last year for our 25th wedding anniversary but I was really ill and we had to cancel, so I'm thinking we'll probably take the trip we'd originally planned (Montreux).

I've got a year and a half to go before mine.
I've already decided I don't want a party. Birthday parties just aren't my thing (although I do rather fancy having a silver wedding anniversary party when that comes around - I'm not sure why I feel like that 😂)
At the moment I think we will go on a city break to Budpest. My birthday is at Christmas so I'm not sure yet if I would go between Christmas and New Year or wait until Easter.
We have children that would be coming with us.
If it wasn't for the kids I'd like to do a cruise or go back to Italy where we spent our honeymoon.
If I did a cruise with my children I'm pretty sure at least one child (who has SEN) would announce that they were "sea sick" the entire time so it's much safer to pick something that is more what they are used to.

I want to go on a child free holiday for either 4 nights or a week 👍

Mine is over the Easter weekend next year so we're going to Europe for a week, not quite narrowed down where yet! Then I'm planning a safari in Sept/Oct. I'm saving up for it all now

I’d combine HairyPotter and daphine’s ideas because why the hell not! You’re only 50 once