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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:
Berlinlover · 29/10/2024 20:59

Solo holiday to Berlin.

JazzieC · 29/10/2024 21:00

Went to Amsterdam with DH - absolutely loved it.

It my 50th next year and we're planning Venice!

EastCoastExile · 29/10/2024 21:00

Had a party at our house with various groups of friends and all our young DC. We hired a fish and chip van and a slushy machine and everyone had a blast. The kids still talk about it six years on, and are wondering what I will do for my 50th!

Emmascout1774 · 29/10/2024 21:02

I had a party at home. It was fun. Drinks and food etc. about 25 people, plus a few inevitable cancellations.

however, whilst it was fun, it ended up costing quite a lot to provide booze and food for that number, and I was so stressed in the run up, so worried about it.

if I did it again, I would get me and dh to go away for the night and have a nice meal etc.

HeartandSeoul · 29/10/2024 21:04

I’m another one who celebrated their 40th in lockdown 😞. I had an amazing cake made, and zoom chats with family outside our bubble. The day was as lovely as it could be under the circumstances.

SnapdragonToadflax · 29/10/2024 21:05

I went away on holiday on my own 😁 It was bliss.

AnneLovesGilbert · 29/10/2024 21:06

I had a newborn and got my catheter out the day before so we walked extremely slowly to the pub, can’t remember what we drank. I think we had cake afterwards.

NewName24 · 29/10/2024 22:15

I had a party, in a hall, DJ, buffet.
I like a dance and I like getting together with friends and family.
Having a 'big zero' birthday seems like a good opportunity to do that.

HawkersSouth · 29/10/2024 22:43

Vegas! DH and I, we had a blast!

Amotherlife · 29/10/2024 22:49

Hadn't yet had kids then. Dh and I born a few weeks apart. Had a family lunch at a hotel (parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins etc) which cost quite a bit as we paid for it all. And a party for friends at home which bombed for some reason and I didn't enjoy it at all.

RampantIvy · 29/10/2024 22:52

Family get together with fireworks at the end (my birthday is near bonfire night, and my parents always used to put on a small firework display at the end of my birthday parties when I was a child)

stormmclean · 30/10/2024 09:06

Spa weekend with some girlfriends
Couple of nights away with DH
Nice meal out with my dc and parents

aintnospringchicken · 30/10/2024 12:04

I hadn't planned on doing anything particularly special for my 40th,maybe just a nice meal out with DH and DC.My birthday was only a couple of weeks after we returned from a big holiday so was happy to keep it low key. My DH surprised me with a weekend away at a lovely hotel.

Whothefuckdoesthat · 30/10/2024 12:16

I had a weekend in London with DH where we did all the tourist stuff that I’ve never done before, stayed in a hotel we both love, ate at a lovely restaurant, went to see the Christmas lights and did some shopping in the Christmas shop in Selfridges. And then I had another weekend in Brighton with my oldest friends, where we ate & drank lots of cocktails. Both were lovely.

rosestone19 · 30/10/2024 12:21

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dudsville · 30/10/2024 12:24

Mine was in two stages. first, I hosted a party that I hated! I'm just not a party person but felt I should, I was worried I would regret it if I didn't. I went all out with cocktails, nice food, decorations. All my lovely friends came. It should have been nice, I just wasn't into it. The next day DH and I flew to Venice, I'd always wanted to go but it also wasn't going to break the bank. That was a nice trip!

I do think it's worth planning to do something nice, even if it isn't that great in the ends. Although I hated my party I still look back on it with some fondness.

AdditionalCharacter · 30/10/2024 12:30

Spent mine being miserable during lockdown, no takeaways open, no shops open or delivering gifts. It sucked.

I did have the following booked (then cancelled)
A weekend away with DH to a log cabin in the middle of Scotland
Afternoon tea with family
A week abroad with kids and DH.

Going to go all out for my 50th instead.

SingingSands · 30/10/2024 12:42

Hired the local cricket club and had a big party for family and friends, it was great fun.

Missingpate · 30/10/2024 23:00

HeartandSeoul · 29/10/2024 21:04

I’m another one who celebrated their 40th in lockdown 😞. I had an amazing cake made, and zoom chats with family outside our bubble. The day was as lovely as it could be under the circumstances.

That’s exactly what I had for mine peak lockdown. I felt somewhat sad but also very guilty for feeling sad when we were safe and well.

We went to Italy when things were all normal again as a belated birthday holiday, which was lovely.

OliviaRodrighost · 30/10/2024 23:18

Mine’s coming up next year, too! Got a few things planned through the year - a music festival abroad with DH, a big concert and a musical with my mum. Quite fancy hiring a local hall-type space and throwing a fabulous karaoke party! I’d love it, and would spend all night hopped up on sweeties, singing Taylor Swift and Disney with my nieces 🩷💜🖤

pecanroll · 30/10/2024 23:19

We will turn 40 in the same week, we haven't planned it yet but we usually mark major milestones with a holiday.

Musicofthespiers · 30/10/2024 23:19

I had Covid.

pecanroll · 30/10/2024 23:20

Sorry I even made myself feel nauseous with all that "we" Blush

AutumnLeaves24 · 30/10/2024 23:28

I went on a solo trip to Helsinki.

It was fab!!

TheChosenTwo · 30/10/2024 23:29

I just had mine. Started the day with a massage and a really special lunch, hairdressers and a big party with dj, food, family and friends, loved it.
then 2 days after, dh and I buggered off on a 10 day holiday with no dc - fabulous.