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Original poster

Ideas to celebrate my birthday in the day

22 replies

booohoooloo · 05/09/2025 09:48

My birthday will be on a Sunday , coming up in the next weeks. I'm going out with family on the Saturday night. But what to do on the Sunday, the actual day of my birthday ? I will be 45.

I don't like: theatre/shows/shopping/London/arts or anything related. Going out for lunch/dinner doesn't appeal as we will have been out on the Saturday night for a posh meal. I don't want to go bowling/cinema or anything similar. I'm not into golfing or other sports. The long-range forecast is currently rain for the day. That rules out a day trip to the seaside, which would have been my only possible idea.

Please help me out with ideas ! I don't want to sit at home all day, bored.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 05/09/2025 10:00

You’ve made a comprehensive list of what you don’t like and seem to have ruled out everything but eating. No sports, nothing to do with the arts. What do you usually do at the weekend? How about an escape room or a pottery place?

Fayaway · 05/09/2025 10:04

I love a rainy day at the seaside! Given everything you wouldn’t enjoy, I’d go with that. If the forecast is wrong, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and there’ll be fewer people. Happy birthday!

windybay · 05/09/2025 10:04

Lunch in Paris? Or a super long day trip somewhere you can get last minute cheap flights to?

High tea?

Embrace the rain and swim in the sea at the beach anyway?

Go to the zoo/ somewhere with animals and have an animal encounter

go to a town you’ve never been to before

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Events & celebrations
HeddaGarbled · 05/09/2025 10:07

I almost feel like you don’t deserve any suggestions as you appear to dislike nearly everything but my choice would be a national trust house or similar with coffee and cake.

EveryKneeShallBow · 05/09/2025 10:09

Animal parks/zoos are much better in wet weather, we once went to longleat on the last day of a voucher and the animals were very active. There was hardly anyone else there it was brilliant.

Favouritefruits · 05/09/2025 10:18

If you like the seaside but are worried about the rain plan things at the seaside that are mainly inside? Spend an hour on the slots with the 2p machines, grab fish and chips and eat them in the car, a blustery walk along the prom with your big coat on!

is there a reason you want a full day out for your 45th birthday? Is going for a nice meal the day before not enough?

Original poster
booohoooloo · 05/09/2025 10:27

@Favouritefruits tbh, the meal the night before is enough but at the same time I don't want to just be rumbling around the house on the actual day. Which at the moment, is what is more than likely going to happen. I would like to do something with my DH & 3 DC, even if just for a few hours.

They won't eat afternoon tea. Flying somewhere is not an option sadly, although lunch in Paris would be fab ! I'm not interested in the zoo or NT/stately homes or history. I really don't like much at all !

Yes, my tastes largely revolve around food and drink ! having spoken to DH, it seems the seaside is not an option due to a short commitment early morning on the day, for one of the DC which I knew nothing about.

OP posts:
WashableVelvet · 05/09/2025 10:35

A shortish hike with a stop for a pint
the MN classic, a spa day (or at least going for a swim)
try something new - orienteering, geocaching, a trampoline park.
a couple of hours of peace with a book while DH takes the kids out
helping the kids bake you a cake
A shopping trip for a really waterproof coat so that you can get outside during the wet weather

InfoSecInTheCity · 05/09/2025 10:36

I’m 42 next weekend, I’ve booked myself in for a massage and facial at a local beauty place, I’m going to put my headphones in and zone out for a couple of hours while someone rubs some of the concrete out of my shoulders and makes my face soft as a babies ass.

BrightLeader · 06/09/2025 14:39

Spa Day

NuffSaidSam · 06/09/2025 14:45

Could you give us a list of things you DO like. I think we're more likely to make good suggestions from that than a list of things you don't like.

madaboutpurple · 06/09/2025 14:46

What about an afternoon tea at the seaside? That way if it is rainy you will be inside for most of it.

AdaColeman · 06/09/2025 15:04

Given all the things that you don't like doing, staying in bed with cake, fizz and chocolates sounds like your perfect day! 🥳 🥳 🥳 🥳
Or
Organise a session of family board and card games for you & the children, with a plentiful buffet of snacks.
Or
Have a wine and cheese tasting session for all the family, with score cards etc. You could do a similar thing with desserts & cakes.
Or
Choose a country you've not been to/don't know much about.....Do some research, then......Everyone has to learn a few words of the language eg greetings, and together you all cook a typical meal from that country. You could all go shopping together for the ingredients, then cook in the afternoon.

Whatever you do, have a fab birthday!

Ilovedogs1 · 06/09/2025 23:47

How about Go Ape?

Nextdoormat · 07/09/2025 07:56

Clip and climb, table tennis, darts. We have a indoor ski,winter place with tubing near us. Indoor water park.Local city exploring China town. Cat cafe.Roller skating, ice skating. Treasure trail, steam train ride. We are v near to loads of amazing days out if you can afford it. If not we have lots of great parks,stately homes and nature reserves.
When it was my birthday when my kids were younger we always did something they would like, my day was made by having family around me 😊.

GameOfJones · 07/09/2025 08:00

You've given us a long list of everything you don't like and aren't interested in. What do you actually like doing? Do that!

Sadworld23 · 07/09/2025 08:23

Start a new hobby, crafting or go to church.
I try to do/try something new every year, but not always on the actual day.

sashh · 07/09/2025 12:45

How old are the children? Could you have a birthday cake making competition?

Cheese and wine tasting, get some unusual cheeses (from a deli if there is one near) a few bottles of wine (you can get the mini bottles) and make notes on which wine goes with each cheese.

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 07/09/2025 12:51

I’m planning a solo spa day for my 48th in a few weeks. It’s a Monday so will have spent the weekend with family etc. looking forward to it.

KpopDemon · 07/09/2025 12:57

you could…

  • go to one of those “pay a fee and play anything for an hour” arcades
  • go to a VR gaming place
  • do an Escape room (even young kids can hunt through drawers and help out etc)

I love the idea of a pottery place!

HarrietSchulenberg · 07/09/2025 13:03

Best birthday I've had I recently was a long walk followed by birthday cake (with candles) and freshly brewed tea (camping stove) back at the car afterwards. The absolute bonus was that it was foggy, almost a pea-souper, so a reasonably familiar landscape was exciting and became unfamiliar. We had OS maps downloaded to phones and knew there were no hideous precipices but we did have to consult the maps to navigate a bit, which was fun.
We still talk about 5 years on as it was so good.
If you like the seaside, go anyway but plan for a rain-washed beach walk and know where you're going to eat and get dry afterwards, be it a pub tea or fish and chips in the car, parked with a view obvs. Take cake and candles with you to make it more memorable.
Sometimes the low key things make the best memories with a bit of planning.

Hallywally · 07/09/2025 13:49

Get a take away? There’s really much left if your interests are food & drink but you don’t want to do anything involving that?

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