What would you do if you were spending the majority of your birthday alone?

[WellingtonBootilicious]

Any ideas? Home based ideally but I’d be interested to hear what you’d like to do yourself!

Before it got to my birthday id give the house a super good tidy and clean so it’s all nice and enjoyable to be in. And I’d do a nice shop in M&S for tasty bits.

Then on my actual birthday I’d make myself a cup of tea in bed (with my nice fresh sheets) and read my book for a while. I’d then get up, go for a run or for a walk with the dog for some fresh air. Id then just potter about, enjoying some peace and quiet.

Champagne, a baked Camembert, an expensive candle and Moulin Rouge on DVD.

If this was me then I'd fill the day with things I like to do:

a really nice slice of cake with plenty of tea
take out from your favourite restaurant
I know you said home based but I'd definitely go see an exhibition in the morning
lots of snack food to dip into
an hour of music blasted out loud while I danced around the living room like a crazy person
a good book or film whilst snuggled on the sofa in my pjs
and a nap!!!

Agree tidy and declutter the house in advance so you can relax on the day.

Plan some nice things to eat and drink in the house if not going out at all. Nice walk outside, shopping trip, lunch out with a good friend or good book, relax in the shade, give yourself a mini pamper, phone a good friend, play your favourite music and sing and dance around the house.

This is the first year that it has finally dawned on me that I can celebrate my own birthday rather than feeling sad that I am on my own.
It is a liberating feeling.
I am planning a trip to the garden centre and their lovely cafe for lunch, then a bit of browsing and shopping before home for birthday cake (which I have ordered to my own specifications) with a glass of champagne and rewatch an old favourite.
I think it may well be going to be the best birthday ever as I am purely pleasing myself.

My last birthday was spent home alone. I had a posh breakie, opened my presents (that I bought myself online and saved til the big day!), then book shopping in town and ended the day with take away and a movie.
It was bloody lovely!😀

I've spent most of my birthdays alone for various reasons over the years.

My last one : whilst the kids were at school, I got In bed , made a decadent hot chocolate with marshmallows, cosied under the covers and binge watched one of my favourite shows. I did zero housework. It was lovely to pamper myself in such a simple way. After I watched TV, I had a blissful nap for about an hour. And I didn't feel guilty.

Nobody has ever really made me feel special on my birthday. It just wasn't a "big thing" when I was growing up in our household. My lovely DH is autistic and very thoughtful in his own clumsy way , but it's just a little different from conventional 🥴. My children of course make it lovely with their little cards etc. but I've never been "spoilt" . But that's ok. I'm content with my hot chocolate and my nap 😁.

So, go on, treat yourself. No need for any extravagance. Chill out and nurture yourself , I'm sure you deserve it x

I've had some solo birthdays and I've taken myself to Buckingham Palace and I've gone to the theatre by myself a few times.

I’d treat myself to some Charbonnel et Walker truffles, and would eat these and plenty of crisps while watching all 3 Magic Mike films and drinking copious amounts of Prosecco.

I’d also order a take away - Indian or Chinese depending on what I fancied on the day, listen to lots of music and have a dance.

Happy Birthday to you OP! I hope you have a lovely day.

I have spent my birthday alone for the last few years, and will be doing the same this year. This is by choice.
I will be away in London at an event - simply because the event is a fixed thing, it just happens to coincide with my birthday.

But I am not a "birthday person" so, if I were at home, it would be the same as any other day. That is my choice and preference. So I think the point is, OP, that you can also choose what you want to do - go out for lunch, go to the theatre, stay in bed all day and read a book..... whatever you want.
But definitely enjoy being alone, because it's fantastic, very liberating, and you don't have to worry about pleasing anyone else or conforming to their expectations.

I’ve booked the day off work for my birthday later this year, kids are at school and DH will be at work, can’t wait to have the day off by myself. Planning to go to a yoga class, get a salt beef sandwich from the selfridges food hall for lunch, and then wander around the Tate Modern.

Edited to add, if it was a home based day, I would sit in the garden and read most of the day, and order in sushi for lunch :)

I've spent a few birthdays on my own at home, and the key to ensuring that you enjoy the day is to plan ahead.
Perhaps get some flowers delivered, definitely do a shop beforehand for your favourite tasty but easy to prepare meals and snacks, and don't forget some cake and fizz!
Get some books ordered, maybe choose an interesting craft project to start, check out what films are available on line, or any sporting events that you might like to watch.

You could have afternoon tea with strawberries and cream while watching Wimbledon

Or a gin cocktail with Maggie Smith at Downton Abbey!
🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸 🍸

Some lovely ideas here, thank you ❤️

My biggest hurdle will be trying to stop myself going into automatic housework mode!! I want to ban myself from using the washing machine for the day but I know it will be a struggle 😆 god how sad!

I have spent my birthday on my own for several years now (my few friends all busy with their kids).

I like to go away for a few days and plan to be doing something ‘different’ on the actual birthday. Recent years have included a sunset/dinner boat trip, climbing a small mountain, scenic hike, etc.

If I wasn’t going away, I’d book myself a day spa near home, including a massage and some other pampering, followed by eating my favourite foods.

If I was going to stay at home, I would make a treat breakfast (pancakes my choice!), go for a nice walk, stop for a coffee. Browse some shops. Then get my favourite foods in for a special dinner, including some cake, and graze while I binge watched a series or films.

I’m the same, it would all need to be done in advance or I start thinking ‘I’ll just do this one little job before I sit down…’

It's my birthday today (76!) I did my early morning cleaning shift as usual, my colleagues had a few gifts for me. I called in at the shops after to get treats for my pets.
Then home for the rest of the day.Usual day really but it was a gorgeous day and I pottered in the garden and messaged family to thank them for their cards etc. My eldest daughter came home with an olive tree for me, we give those kind of gifts.
We tend not to celebrate much on the day in our family. We do things when we can. I usually treat myself to something, a new dress this year.Ill get a chance to wear it at some point!

Happy Birthday!! 🥳 🎂🎈 hope you have enjoyed your day, at least we have had lovely weather ❤️ x

Ooooh, if I was able, I'd have a lovely lie-in. Then I'd make tea and have it in bed, chilling out a bit more.

Later, when I was hungry, I'd have something indulgent for brunch. Poached eggs on sourdough or wholegrain toast maybe. Mmm.

I'd loll around and read. Gallons of tea. Maybe binge watch a series on TV.

Bit later I might pop out and buy myself some flowers. I'd get a take-out for dinner and have an indulgent dessert. Also a tipple of choice.

I might spend some time on my hobby. I'd also probably have a really long, daytime soak in the bath (it's always an evening bath for reasons of practicality) since I'm indulging myself. Tea and some crisps while I'm in there.

And I'd fit in a nap and consequently a really late night too, something I can't usually do because I have to get up so early.

I love this thread.

I would take myself off to London and go to an art gallery or museum, eat at a quirky restaurant, walk around one of the parks and buy myself a book and another gift to enjoy in the evening.

But if I was spending it at home, I would make myself a special indulgent brunch (pastries and pancakes as well as full English), read my favourite books in the garden, do a creative kit I would have bought online in advance with some gentle classical music or jazz in the background, then eat my favourite takeaway whilst watching a much loved film.

This! This! This!

What an inspirational thread.