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Original poster

How did you celebrate your 40th?

83 replies

rosesl · 29/10/2024 19:57

Just that really - how did you celebrate your 40th?
Mine is next May and want to do something special. Welcome ideas... no budget really but something special

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 29/10/2024 20:05

Not 40 yet but do you want to do something special for you Climb Kilimanjaro or other feat? Or celebrate in a big party?
Do you have children young / teens? - would they be involved?

For the year leading up to my 30th I listed things I wanted to achieve / start by the big 30.
Buy a house
Learn to drive
Be a healthy weight for the new decade
Finish my degree (in fact I started another one with the OU and promptly put on + more than weight I had lost which was annoying as I was sedentary studying)

Perhaps do similar

2chocolateoranges · 29/10/2024 20:08

On the run up to my 40th my school friends said they wanted to do something, as did my mum friends, along with my mum and also my friends from work. Obviously my dh wanted to do something with the children too, so I decided to have a party to celebrate with all my nearest and dearest.

id never had a birthday party before and I had a blast. Best night celebrating with family and good friends.

however my 50th is in a few years and I’m going on holiday for that one!

username2377 · 29/10/2024 20:09

I went to Brixton, I went to a restaurant then to a few pubs.

MissHalloween · 29/10/2024 20:12

I had a party a few days before my birthday then on my actual birthday I flew to LA, took the DC to Disney for days and then went on my first cruise to the Pacific side of Mexico. It was fabulous.

GiraffeTree · 29/10/2024 20:13

I had a party joint with three friends, we hired out a bar for the night. It was fab.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 29/10/2024 20:13

I had a number of celebrations. I didn't have a family celebration because my day clashed with my DC Holy Communion and that's a very big day in my world with aunts uncles grandparents etc so people discreetly wished me happy birthday. About a week later I had a party and rented a room in a pub and basically had drinks and a party and invited everyone. I made a Spotify list of all my favourites from the 90s, that was great fun. A few weeks later DH and I went on a 2 night city break, we have 3 kids so this rarely happens, it was SILs kind gift to me.

For Dhs 40th a year earlier we rented a boat and met at the pier, the boat went from pub to pub along the harbour near where we live and eventually brought us into the city. We had some finger food and ended up clubbing. I felt young again that night, that meant a lot.

RealHousewivesOfTaunton · 29/10/2024 20:13

We're going to Disneyland and Iceland for DH's 40th next year. Disneyland was a surprise request as he's not a Disney-type chap at all.

I'm a few years younger than him. I have no idea what I'd like to do. Probably go on holiday somewhere exotic.

BeachHutsAndDeckchairs · 29/10/2024 20:13

I was getting over a chest infection and was too poorly to do anything other than go for a walk in a nearby country park, and it was lovely. There was no rush, we could look at the fading winter and growing spring, and stop for a cup of tea at the cafe. It was just us with no expectation and hype and it was lovely.

itsnotabouthepasta · 29/10/2024 20:14

Honestly, I’m struggling with the same thing. I have about five different groups of friends and none of them know each other at all, so that’s a party out, plus my 40th is only two weeks before Xmas so no one has any money and it’s impossible to book a meal anywhere without having an expensive Christmas menu.

Justploddingonandon · 29/10/2024 20:19

Not much as it was in lockdown! But really it depends what you like. I hate big parties so DH took me to the theatre and a meal at a fancy restaurant when we were allowed out again.

HelterSkelter224 · 29/10/2024 20:21

Violently throwing up in the toilet of a 5* hotel after finding out I was pregnant 😱

Original poster
rosesl · 29/10/2024 20:21

I'm not really sure what I want to do.
My partner and I have both have children from previous relationships and whilst we'll likely go for a meal with them we're unlikely to go away with them in May more likely the summer. We've done Disney this year so it wouldn't be an option really.
I don't know whether to have a party and then a holiday with my partner but not sure where to go.
We spoke about vegas but it's just so far. My partner won't sit around on the beach for a week so that rules out a total beach break.
I though a few days day in Rome then down to sorrento or Venice for a few days then lake Garda. Or Milan and lake como.
Or any other ideas/recommendations?
We went to the south of France this summer just the two of us and thoroughly enjoyed that but want something different

OP posts:
ShowmetheBotox · 29/10/2024 20:23

My best ‘mate’ bloody booked me in for an aqua obstacle thing in a lake 😂

We did then go for a meal and for drinks ( and a dance)

LittleBlueHen · 29/10/2024 20:24

I booked a dance lesson with a Strictly professional. It was fab!

annlee3817 · 29/10/2024 20:33

I rented out a hot tub the weekend before and had a night with my mates, hot tub and drinks, on my actual birthday I went camping with my DH, DD and my parents, loved it

TentEntWenTyfOur · 29/10/2024 20:37

I went to Butlins with DH & the dc the week before, and had a party with family & friends in our little village hall the week after.

Thischangeseverything · 29/10/2024 20:37

It was lock down so I went for a walk and got a Tesco meal deal for two!

Don't recommend, it was rubbish!

Thevelvelletes · 29/10/2024 20:41

Got really pissed,day into night pubbing it..and took an E from an old acquaintance.

oldestmumaintheworld · 29/10/2024 20:47

Went out to dinner with my husband and best friends. Got very drunk and then got pregnant!

CoastalCalm · 29/10/2024 20:49

Joint party at a local sports club , proper beige buffet and a DJ it was great

EmpressaurusDelleGatte · 29/10/2024 20:50

Committed to getting divorced, which was the best gift I could have given myself.

BUT I had a fabulous few days at Lake Como for my 50th & I definitely recommend it.

Thevelvelletes · 29/10/2024 20:54

oldestmumaintheworld · 29/10/2024 20:47

Went out to dinner with my husband and best friends. Got very drunk and then got pregnant!

Oh that definitely beats my wayward behaviour...and I couldn't get pregnant.. thank god.

Notmydaughteryoubitch · 29/10/2024 20:55

I was supposed to be celebrating in the South of France & was planning on having 40 nights away at 40 (across the year). Of course turning 40 in 2020 meant things didn't go to plan! However , I ended up actually having the best day, we had a boat trip down the river in the morning and had afternoon tea type lunch in the sunshine with DH and DD, then some friends came and we had a socially distanced get together in the garden for a few hours in the afternoon, after they left we had hot tub in the garden for the evening and my DH set off some fireworks. I had the best day.

Tippythedog · 29/10/2024 20:56

I left the country with DH to avoid the unsolicited surprise things that my family were threatening 😂

MrsHamlet · 29/10/2024 20:56

Took myself to Hawaii!