Ideas to celebrate 40th

[TheMindfulMum]

DH turns 40 next year and I’m after ideas of how we celebrate it as a family - 3 sets of our parents, our 2 young children and us. Everyone will want to mark it but we won’t have the time or finances to do something individually with each set of our parents. A few of the grandparents relationships is a little strained shall we say and whilst they can all be amicable to each other, I think a sit down meal with everyone will be a little too formal, forced and unnatural - not a fun, relaxed celebration I’m hoping for.

So I’m thinking of something we could all do together. Something a bit different but where we are all involved but without any formality. So far all I can think of is hiring a barge for a day, working the canal locks etc. Everyone can get involved and have a bit of fun.

But I’d love some other ideas please if you have any?!

Bump

This may come across a bit harsh but it is what I genuinely think. I think most people don't really care that much about other people's birthdays, with the possible exception of a 1 year old's birthday or maybe a 90 year old's. Some 50ths. For a 40th, I don't think involving family is really necessary. I would probably use the money for a nice weekend trip for your family of 4 instead.

I appreciate your comment and I know for some families they really would probably be happy letting the event pass without a big fuss. But I know all the parents on both sides and am 100% certain they would like to do something. 2 out of the 3 sets have already asked me what am I thinking of doing but haven't come forward with any suggestions. That's just not their style. They're quite happy to have things arranged for them to turn up to, just not for them organise it themselves. Ironically the set who haven't mentioned it would be the set to complain if they weren't involved (not that I would exclude them or treat them differently but they are the set with a slight chip on their shoulder and expect to be treated just like everybody else even though they make the least effort in the relationship!) Anyway, I don't mind planning or arranging but I've only come up with one idea, that's my problem 😬

Where are you OP?

Rather than a sit down meal, why don't you do something like life size monopoly, escape room or a murder mystery. Obviously depends on ages of DC what you can do.

All of the above are in London but you can probably find similar things in other locations too

I would do buffet style in a pub?
Then go somewhere with him, city break, lovely hotel?

Buffet is casual but people sit wher they want and he can walk around, like a wake?

Why don't you have a nice day/weekend just the 4 of you, then get together another time for cake and champagne/fizz for the other family members? It could just be at your house.