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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:
multivac · 01/05/2023 22:13

Was over 10 years ago. Hired a fab local pub with a big camping field and had a mini festival; bands playing from noon to midnight, face painting and crafts for the kids, and bacon rolls all round in the morning. Was in March, and the weather was heavenly - like it hasn't been for my birthday since. It was perfect.

Mexicansky · 01/05/2023 22:14

Nothing!!!
My youngest was ill at the time and in and out of hospital. We had to cancel lots of plans and had just spent Christmas in hospital. I couldn't face arranging something and then having to cancel it.
Oh and my husband didn't buy me anything as I hadn't told him what I wanted.

I'm still waiting for my present - I'm 45!

My advice is plan whatever you want to celebrate! Make you happy and to hell with everyone else.
I really regret not doing anything - but I really wasn't mentally in a great place!

LeoDiCapricorn · 01/05/2023 22:16

Booked lunch in a pub that I loved with DH & DC. Unfortunately just before my birthday it changed ownership. The lunch service and food was so awful I half expected Basil Fawlty or Jeremy Beadle to appear.

It has since changed ownership twice more. We laugh about it now but haven't been back

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Events & celebrations
crumpetsntea · 01/05/2023 22:17

Nothing! My 40th was shortly after lockdown was announced so all our plans went out of the window.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 01/05/2023 22:19

I had a barn dance, it was great, really enjoyed it.

Bucketheadbucketbum · 01/05/2023 22:19

Some good ideas!

Errmmmmmmmmmmm · 01/05/2023 22:20

I was supposed to go to Vienna for mine, Christmas markets and all that - but it was 2020 so lockdown put an end to it! Hope you absolutely love whatever you end up doing OP.

Ginger1982 · 01/05/2023 22:21

Lunch with the extended family then DH took me to the Big Apple!

FijiSea · 01/05/2023 22:21

Night away in a hotel
Then a family dinner the next night

MrsBungle · 01/05/2023 22:21

Went to New York for a week with DH and our friends. Then I had a big party once home. Was fab.

sanityisamyth · 01/05/2023 22:22

Nothing. Had a meal in 'spoons with DS(9).

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 01/05/2023 22:24

Went to the pub with a friend. My 50th is looming and I'm planning on booking a hotel somewhere lovely and going away for the night on my own.

alphasox · 01/05/2023 22:28

Spent two weeks in Bali, a bit of sight seeing but mainly swimming surfing eating sleeping and getting massages. It was wonderful.

Allmarbleslost · 01/05/2023 22:31

It was in the first lockdown so fuck all!

WandaWonder · 01/05/2023 22:34

Went away for a short break

Gymmum82 · 01/05/2023 22:34

Went to Rome

TulipTuesday · 01/05/2023 22:36

Mine was the week before Covid lockdown when things were starting to be a bit weird and people weren’t going out much.

I’d already planned a week of lovely things and luckily nothing had to be changed or cancelled.

I took the week off work and had a night out with my brothers and SILs with food and cocktails one night, had a meal at our favourite restaurant with DH on another and at the end of the week went to a spa hotel with by best friend. By then things were really starting to shut down and there was hardly anyone at the hotel.

It was very nice though to have the pool and jacuzzi just us and 5 football players from the local league one team 😉

By the next morning panic buying had started so I was very lucky to do everything I had wanted to before then.

AdditionalCharacter · 01/05/2023 22:41

Like some of the unlucky posters on here, mine was 2020 and lockdown put a stop to all the things I had planned. Weekend away to a log cabin in the middle of nowhere with DH, boozy afternoon tea with my sister, fancy meal out with my family. All cancelled and couldn't even order a takeaway.

Wingingitbestican · 01/05/2023 22:47

Husband surprised me with a trip to New York

Wincarnis · 01/05/2023 22:47

Went to Paris for the weekend, a very unromantic break - caught (ex)DH in the hotel jacuzzi with a female flight attendant… 😵😵

AliceMcK · 01/05/2023 22:49

Had a 1940s themed party in a very old fashioned pub function room, was the perfect setting. Lots of Victory rolls and military uniforms.

notprincehamlet · 01/05/2023 22:50

Ran the NYC marathon

ehb102 · 01/05/2023 22:50

I decided that parties mostly benefited other people and so I bought myself a sporting experience I really wanted. I am so glad I did.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 01/05/2023 22:51

I took my dc skiing without DH because he was being a twat and had booked an overseas work trip

mondaytosunday · 01/05/2023 22:52

My the fiancé took me for a surprise weekend to Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. Fabulous (but very pricey). He gave me my first mobile phone (2002)!