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Original poster

How would you choose to celebrate your 50th birthday?

81 replies

ParentsPleaseBehave · 06/09/2019 18:52

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!!!

OP posts:
TalbotAMan · 06/09/2019 19:36

A row between DW and DParents about where to have lunch resulting in us not going anywhere followed by dealing with DD2 (8 months)'s constipation.

Well, that was mine.

BooseysMom · 06/09/2019 19:39

TalbotAMan... this sounds all too familiar. Hmm

BooseysMom · 06/09/2019 19:43

@Lindy2.. Budapest is a great idea. Hadn't thought of there. How about Copenhagen too? ..metaphorically speaking i mean..Not saying you should go there as well !

SinglePringle · 06/09/2019 19:44

It’s mine in 8 weeks. I have made zero plans.

I’m single with no children. Majority of my friends are all married and wouldn’t go away for a weekend without their partners.

And it’s bloody tedious organising it all yourself. After all, I’ll still wake up and make my own coffee on the morning of the day.

It’s genuinely the only day I ever want to be in a relationship.

The only good thing is that recently, the jaws of two colleagues hit the floor when they discovered my age. They were genuinely surprised and thought I was around 43 so maybe I can lie and say it’s just my birthday and celebrate my ‘50th’ in 10 years!!

AKAanothername · 06/09/2019 19:47

If you like food and drink I can thoroughly recommend a weekend away in San Sebastián, northern Spain.

Loads of fantastic bars and restaurants, we went to Arzak for my actual birthday meal, it was incredible.

StumpyinSomerset · 06/09/2019 19:51

I made no plans for mine,I went to work.

But then,I'm a boring old fart.

Isthebigwomanhere · 06/09/2019 19:56

I'm planning on Japan for mine.
I've always wanted to go so I've started saving.
I've got 3 years to save for first class

pontiouspilates · 06/09/2019 19:58

We went on a family safari for my 50th. It was amazing.

LiveatCityHall · 06/09/2019 20:03

My DS was 3 months old when I turned 40 so it passed by without celebration. I fully intend to have a massive party when I turn 50 in 5 years!!

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 06/09/2019 20:08

Staring down the barrel of 50 here
was 3 months pg at 40 and cancelled planned party due to feeling like utter crap
I just want to wake up somewhere sunny and warm with nothing I HAVE to do.

littlemeitslyn · 06/09/2019 20:18

An oubliette 😄

MsSquiz · 06/09/2019 20:22

I'd want to go back to Vegas with DH and spend the actual day relaxing by a pool or in a spa, then go for a meal and maybe a Cirque show or a live show of some sort (which is how I spent my 30th but instead of the spa/pool, we did a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon)

MsRinky · 06/09/2019 20:24

I have a January birthday too, it's a bit rubbish for going away, travel often gets weather-disrupted. I did have a fabulous weekend in a practically empty Venice one year though. Last year I wanted a city-break, and went to London. People thought it was a bit strange as we are only 40 minutes away and go often, but we got a fabulous apartment from the Plum Guide, did meals, theatre, culture and - for a change - late night bars as we weren't on the last train home.

AdaColeman · 06/09/2019 20:29

Venice on the Orient Express would be my choice.

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/09/2019 20:29

I turn 50 next March but haven't planned anything (yet). But I will definitely NOT have a party. It smacks of attention seeking and is my idea of hell (which may surprise people who know me as I'm very outgoing).

Ideally I will have a holiday/break on my own (I'm single, no DC), maybe incorporating a visit to overseas friends. Finances are tight at the moment (my job was cut 9 months ago and I've only just managed to get some temporary work for just 2 months starting next week) so that's why I haven't planned anything. If finances are better by my birthday, I'd love to go back to Australia or California but I will probably compromise on a trip to see either friends in New York or friends in Paris or Copenhagen/Oslo. Or maybe just a long weekend in Morocco in the sun with some good books.

Original poster
ParentsPleaseBehave · 06/09/2019 20:40

Thanks for the replies. Some great ideas.

I couldn’t leave DH and DCs behind. Sorry that’s just not me.

I don’t have time to reply individually but SinglePringle please do arrange something soon and let us know what you decide!

AKAanothername I watched a programme recently about San Sebastian and it looked like a foodie’s heaven!

TalbotAMan I’m sorry to hear that.

I’m really liking the idea of a year of activities!

OP posts:
greentheme23 · 06/09/2019 20:41

I went away with a load of girlfriends to CPs. DH is having his soon and we're off to Rome.

LindaLa · 06/09/2019 20:52

I'm not one for celebrating my birthday but my children (adults) insisted I celebrated my 50th.
My birthday is 5th may and they took me to New Orleans for Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Was awesome.

selfishcrab · 06/09/2019 20:55

DH and I went on holiday to Mexico and came home 2 days before my 50th, he then planned for a few close friends and family to join us in a private dining experience, 12 course menu designed around my favorite foods... was amazing!
His is next year and I'm arranging a huge villa for close friends and family for a week in Spain.

Timeforatincture · 06/09/2019 21:03

I rented a big house for a weekend for family and closest friend and it was wonderful. Kind friends offered to provide catered bbq for us all Friday night, but had she not done so it would have been sausage and mash. We had lunch in nearby town on Saturday if we felt like going out, or loafed about the house if we didn't. I provided lavish feast for Saturday , most of which was prepared beforehand so easy to manage. It was brilliant! So relaxing and such a beautiful place.

Timeforatincture · 06/09/2019 21:04

Now planning 60th! Could be much more riotous!

SunsetYorks · 06/09/2019 21:15

I want to go on safari to the Kruger with BF, DC friends

Pipnik · 06/09/2019 21:23

Mine is on Sunday. Have just got lunch with parents. Feeling too overwhelmed by other stuff to have energy to plan anything more. Maybe I'll try the year of experiences.

How would you choose to celebrate your 50th birthday?
reluctantbrit · 06/09/2019 21:23

Still a couple of years to go but I am thinking already. DH had a small party but I don’t really fancy one so it will be a holiday.

I am a early December one and work is an absolute nightmare during that time. DD will be in her final GCSE year then and we currently think about delaying it until the exams are over. The only problem is that everywhere I want to go is not good in Summer.

Swisskit · 06/09/2019 21:24

DH and I had a mini-break in London, in a swanky hotel. Went out mid-afternoon and accidentally ate pizza Blush so weren't hungry at dinner time (planned to have a posh meal somewhere). Ended up in a cocktail bar. Several cocktails later (hic) we emerged, only to find all the restaurants were closing, so we went into a corner shop and bought loads of snacks and ended up having a picnic on the enormous bed in our room at midnight. It was fab!