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Original poster

What did you do for your 'big birthday'

35 replies

febbabies2023 · 28/07/2024 20:21

I know some people will be like 'nothing unusual it's just another birthday blah blah'

But I turn 30 in September and I want to celebrate!

It's the start of a new decade, a fresh decade (after a split from XDP earlier this year after nearly 10 years together) so I want it to be a positive thing!

So many people dread their big birthdays but I'm trying not to look at it as getting older

So if you did celebrate, what did you do! (It doesn't have to be your 30th)

OP posts:
UpUpUpU · 28/07/2024 20:23

I had a long weekend away with my partner for my 40th last Christmas. Incorporated a spa, Christmas market and shopping. Was lovely.

Doggymummar · 28/07/2024 20:24

We went to Singapore for three weeks. On the day itself I went up the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel which was really scary and then went to Raffles for a SINGAPORE Sling, in the evening we went to the hawker stalls and had Michelin star street food.

ATribeCalledQuestion · 28/07/2024 20:29

Massive party for my 40th. Fancy dress. It was brilliant.

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Events & celebrations
llamalines · 28/07/2024 20:30

One big birthday I went away with about 20 friends and our kids for a weekend (UK). It was lovely. We found a place with quite "rustic" accommodation so it was cheap for people, but with a beautiful huge garden and no neighbours so we spent a lot of time BBQing and partying outside. It was lovely.

This website is good for finding large holiday homes https://www.groupaccommodation.com

MissyB1 · 28/07/2024 20:30

My 40th we had a company come to our house who spit roasted a whole lamb in our garden. They also provided bread rolls and mint sauce, also paper plates. We had lots of family and friends, lots of fizz, a big gazebo and basically a great party.

RomeinApril · 28/07/2024 20:37

I turned 30 in June; felt the same as you that it was a milestone and worth celebrating, although I have had a mentality this year of '30th year' rather than just celebrating the actual day. That said, my best friend took me away to a beautiful country house hotel and we did a tasting menu the night before which was really special, then we stayed over and had the day together the next day. I also then went a short break with another friend that week, and met other friends for dinners etc. If you are a foodie, I think a tasting menu with someone/a few close friends is a great idea. It felt a real treat & I'll certainly always remember it 😊

Daisy12Maisie · 28/07/2024 20:43

So for my 30 th I had a horrible time so for my 40th I went all out.
Single mum to 2 teenagers at the time. I went on my dream holiday. I took the kids but gave them a talking to and said it's my dream holiday for me for my birthday. I want you there but I will be furious if you don't behave. It was very expensive but absolutely amazing and I will never regret it.
My kids are usually well behaved but had been a bit rude when I took them somewhere about 6 months before so I made it clear this wasn't just a holiday it was very special to me.

I then made a little afternoon tea and family came round but to be honest that was fairly hard work as I had to do everything.
I do have lots of friends and family but no one that was going to spoil me so I did it myself. I'm not bothered about any other birthday I just wanted one big special one which is what I got.
So my advice would be decide what you want and organise it yourself because no one else will do exactly what you want.

Daisy12Maisie · 28/07/2024 20:44

The 30th was horrible due to a bereavement nothing to do with the birthday or being 30

Bignanna · 28/07/2024 20:46

50- balloon flight
60- weekend in London and musical
70-same
80- I shall drop hints well in advance!

RadRad · 28/07/2024 20:46

We went to Mexico on a 5* holiday, it was lovely, we met a couple who were there on a honeymoon and they joked that we had gone so OTT for a birthday, that’s how luxurious it was. Do it, you will only be this young once!

ProperCupofTea · 28/07/2024 20:47

30th a party and a mini break holiday to somewhere beautiful with then fiance and some other friends.
40th I was a few years out from divorce. I visited friends who were living abroad, we all went on holiday together then I spent 3 days on my own in an expensive beach resort being pampered.

50th I went on a guided small group tour to three incredible countries on my bucket list which was amazing.

Go on holiday, do a guided group (Explore/Exodus/Intrepid etc) if you don't want to travel solo (which is really fun and you meet lots of people also travelling by themselves). Make happy memories - way better than just a party.

MissingMoominMamma · 28/07/2024 20:47

For my 50th, I exclusively hired a youth hostel and took my friends for an activity weekend- coasteering and sea kayaking. We all brought food and drinks to share- it was brilliant!

babybouncer · 28/07/2024 20:48

My 30th I had a 1930s catered dinner party, for DHs 30th we hired a Norfolk sailing boat with family and friends. Next big one, I’m going away somewhere…

DoreenonTill8 · 28/07/2024 20:49

Spent my 30th working on a covid ward! Keep meaning to recelebrate but never get the time!

Oganesson118 · 28/07/2024 20:50

I’m turning 40 next year. I dont feel like I have enough good friends and family to have a party so considering going to Ibiza to go clubbing and to a water park!

otravezempezamos · 28/07/2024 20:52

30th. Spent it with my gran. Knew it would be one of the last. She hung on for 18 more months. Best way to spend it, in her kitchen which was my happy place with family. Sigh…

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 28/07/2024 21:17

30 - exchanged contracts on our first house. At this point we were so skint, that all we could do was go for a curry.

40 - long weekend in NYC

50 - Boris gave me a circuit breaker lockdown

Kitkat1523 · 28/07/2024 21:21

Never done anything for any of mine….am 60 this year ….won’t be doing anything ….just not into all that milestone birthdays stuff

jellybe · 28/07/2024 21:24

For my 30th I was pregnant so me and DH went away for a long weekend by the sea it was lovely. Went to a lovely hotel was pampered in the spa and eat great food.

I'm 40 next year and trying to decide what I want to do this time. I'm thinking similar to my 30th but maybe abroad this time as will be able to travel 😁

Hohofortherobbers · 28/07/2024 21:38

Dh and I went on a city break

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 28/07/2024 21:44

30 had a tiny baby, so not much.
40 ditto
50 Barcelona
60 fuck all. Even my "mates" forgot and we ended up going for a curry.DH though managed to spin both his 50th and 60th out for months with gigs etc.
65 this year and expect the square root of fuck all. (To quote JKR)

stackhead · 28/07/2024 21:48

I was in hospital waiting for DD to arrive on my 30th birthday. Had gestational diabetes too so no cake for me.

GameOfJones · 28/07/2024 21:50

For my 30th DH and I went to a Michelin starred restaurant for their tasting menu. I drank champagne cocktails, we spent a hideous amount of money for one meal out but it was fabulous and I loved it. Well worth it for the happy memories.

My 40th is coming up and I would like a night away at a spa hotel for that.

ghostbusters · 28/07/2024 21:58

My 30th was spent decorating our hallway in the freezing cold. It was winter and the heating was off as we had taken the radiators off the wall in the process. Had an expensive slap up meal in the local country house hotel in the evening, probably with paint splattered in my hair!

My 40th was during the second lock down. Now with 2 kids, no one was allowed to come to our house to babysit while we went out. So we postponed and went to a different local country house hotel for their tasting menu and a sleepover (minus the kids) for my 41st. It was epic!

thaisweetchill · 28/07/2024 21:58

It was my 30th in June and we've done something each month. Partner organised a few surprises in between which included zip lining in Wales and this weekend I've been surprised with a weekend away with our best friends. My actual birthday month was the best we went to a few concerts and a few trips out. It has been the best year (so far!)