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Original poster

What did you do for your 40th birthday?

96 replies

40soon · 01/05/2023 21:18

Turning 40 later this year and would like to do something special. Would love to know what others did & get some inspiration!

OP posts:
pjani · 01/05/2023 21:19

Rented a cottage and invited a bunch of friends, meal and drinks with country walk the day after, had a lovely time!

NewYearNewUsername23 · 01/05/2023 21:25

I turned 40 in 2021. I have a winter birthday. A relative threw me a garden party for my birthday in the summer. It was lovely. My only regret was not keeping the guest list smaller. I mean it was small, but there were a couple of people I was convinced to add but I wish I hadn’t.

MrsHamlet · 01/05/2023 21:27

I had a nice dinner with my mum to thank her for giving birth to me, and took myself on a fabulous holiday :)

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Events & celebrations
Minty82 · 01/05/2023 21:28

Had a big attention-seeking party in the village hall with 60 people, vats of curry and chilli, a live band and dancing all night. It was slightly Covid-induced (two years of cancelled weddings and birthdays etc and I thought we shouldn’t waste the opportunity to get together) and when it actually came round I felt a bit embarrassed at being so OTT…but I loved every second and wish we could do it all over again!

Confusedabout · 01/05/2023 21:29

Had dinner out with family and booked myself 2 holidays !

WarningToTheCurious · 01/05/2023 21:33

Long weekend in Copenhagen with the DCs (aged 8 and 1) - we were sussing it out for a potential job move so two birds with one stone.

ScarletWitchM · 01/05/2023 21:33

Spent 5 days in Morroco with DH who booked a sunrise hot air balloon flight and then a spa and massage later that day at the Riad for my actual birthday. Then had a small dinner at a local restaurant with family when we came home

bluechameleon · 01/05/2023 21:33

Had a daytime party at our house with various friends and their children.

Artinsurance · 01/05/2023 21:34

Climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Doggymummar · 01/05/2023 21:34

Went to Jersey in November for a surprise as I had packed for Dubai which it what I asked for. I had paid for three weeks Tailor made for my husband's 4oth the previous December so I wasn't being a princess. I filed for divorce on our return as he spent the whole weekend in a sports bar watching the football and was pissed the whole time. The hotel was an air BnB room in someone's house . I would urge you to book whatever it is yourself.

AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 01/05/2023 21:34

Went to Vegas 😁

mrsbyers · 01/05/2023 21:36

40 hired local cricket club and had a 70’s themed party

50 went out with my best mate and husbands to a Michelin star restaurant for tasting menu then small family gathering in the evening for drinks

JustAJokeLikeOnTopGear · 01/05/2023 21:36

Had a barbecue for all my friends, about 40 people came. It was fab! But exhausting.

Doggymummar · 01/05/2023 21:36

For my 50th I went to Singapore which was fab from start to finish

Oneborneverydecade · 01/05/2023 21:37

Went with DH to one of the The Pigs for a couple of nights w/o the kids. I was pregnant and it was mid winter

Upanddownthemerrygoround · 01/05/2023 21:38

Got my second covid jab. Stayed at home to look after my son who was isolating from school (it was at the stage when if there was anyone in the class with it they had to go home for two weeks). Bought sushi from the supermarket and ate it watching a theatre at home experience. DH had a migraine and whilst dependable on the day to day stuff has no idea of special for him, me or anyone else. After 20 years together it’s starting to grate.

AlexandraPeppernose · 01/05/2023 21:42

4 days in London with the husband, watching theatre, drinking lots of beer and only eating food from street markets. Was probably the best 4 days of my life.

soupmaker · 01/05/2023 21:42

Went to Skye for two nights DB&B in a hotel with Michelin starred restaurant. Left DD1 with my Mum. It was absolutely bloody brilliant. Just the two of us, road trip, great food and doing whatever we wanted when we wanted.

youngestisapsycho · 01/05/2023 21:49

Was on a Thursday… went for a family meal, Fri night went to a fancy restaurant with girl friends, Sat night had a gathering with friends and family in local pub, Sunday had a surprise bbq at mums with more family and friends… Monday was a Bank holiday thankfully! 😆

MojacaSunset · 01/05/2023 21:59

I was 38 weeks pregnant wirh pre eclampsia and 24/7 nausea..... managed a quick pub lunch!
Had a lovely weekend away inLondon for my 41st though and a lobg weekend in Venice fir my 50th

Beaverbridge · 01/05/2023 22:04

The ex took me took a shitty local restaurant, only people in it. No cake. I'd hinted at a weekend in Dublin. He said if I'd wanted that I should have booked it!. I put a fake brave face on it to workmates and friends.

Inextremis · 01/05/2023 22:07

Turned 40 trying to get some sleep under a table on a ferry to Ireland. Two week holiday, during which we unexpectedly bought a house, then had to go home and sell our flat, find jobs over here, and move :) That was 23 years ago - no regrets!

TheNachtzehrer · 01/05/2023 22:08

Mine's later this year and I'm planning on throwing a big party with dancing and getting my nanny to look after the DCs overnight and all the next day 😎

YukoandHiro · 01/05/2023 22:09

Night away in a lovely hotel with DH with dinner at a restaurant I've always wanted to go. Rare child free time, was lovely. Then next weekends drinks with friends in a small bar I hired.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 01/05/2023 22:11

Dh and I went to New York