Tell me what you did for your 50th

[Spondoolie]

Tell me what you did for your 50th!

Trips, parties, get togethers, adventures

What went really well?
What didn’t go well and why?
Anything you wish you’d done but didn’t?

Thank you!

We had a family outing to a nearby attraction followed by a meal. It didn't go very well as, all the time we were at the attraction, my sister was going on about various family problems, so I couldn't relax and then my mum, who has dementia, didn't cope very well with the meal - she has the appetite of a sparrow but ordered a ginormous starter and was picking at it with her fingers for ages, all the while my sister was still going on at me; then the following day it all blew up into a huge argument, which lingered for months afterwards. My sister and I usually get on, so it was very disappointing.

51 was much better, DH and I had a trip to a city I love, just us, and we were blessed with glorious sunshine.

You can still celebrate, even if you are doing it solo.

I know that sounds trite, but I'm neurodivergent and these days a massive party wouldn't be for me at all. Even going out in a group of 5 actually reduced me to tears before we even got to the bar for pre dinner drinks!

Valentines Day for instance, I'm single and happily so, but still decided to treat myself. Got my favourite breakfast and a nice dinner in, went to a midday showing of Wuthering Heights, then for coffee and cake and walked back to my car along the beach. Had a long fancy bath with a bath bomb when I got home then dinner and curled up on the sofa with the cats and watched nonsense on TV.

Don't worry about anyone else - do what makes you happy!

Went to a Michelin starred place for a tasting lunch with husband and best mate and her partner then a couple of drinks on the day and had a family gathering for lunch in a local pub the next day

I had lunch with my two besties and my autistic daughters!
It was snowing so my kids schools were shut and I work at one of them so we were all free and besties were too.
Probably lame for some people but it was a lovely day.

Had four days in Rome with my husband and 20 year old daughters. Interesting sights, shops and food.

Catered party at home with shots roulette.

5 nights in a European city doing back to back lovely activities. On my actual 50th I went to a concert in a palace, had an amazing couples massage, drank champagne and had a lovely dinner out.
I wouldn’t change any of it.

A meal out with a few friends and Went to Benidorm for a week with my OH.

I'm now 66 and I cannot remember, for the life of me, what I did for my 50th. I suspect not very much.

I took dh on holiday for his, he'd have hated a party. I'd quite like a party for mine in a couple of years time but would also quite like a holiday so may have to see what budget can allow.

Nothing. I was probably at work.

Sat on a park bench in the freezing cold, stressing that we were a gathering of seven not six as per lockdown rules. It was shite.

Bugger all…went to work as normal had a normal tea watched tv then went to bed. Glad it was over.

There’s a bit of a Benidorm theme emerging! Am planning mine for a belated celebration. My view is it needs to be something out of my ordinary. Frankly, that could just be a day at home without having to think about anyone else, as much as it could be a hike up to Machu Pichu or a blowout party in a club. What I want to avoid, at all costs, is disappointment or resentment. Plenty of other days for that. So I may well plump for a day somewhere, by myself, eating a yummy breakfast and going for a long walk and then a massage and dinner in bed with a movie.

I think Im lucky to still be alive so went for it. Went to a festival with some friends. Barcelona with some other friends and had a big fuck off party at my house for loads of friends and family. Was a blast.

I had 4 friends over for dinner. March 21 so following whatever rules there were around then. The celebration wasn’t on the day but it was still lovely.

went to Lake Como for a few days. Beautiful location/weather. This in October. Chestnut season and autumn in Lombardia

My partner took me to krakow for a few days and we had a small (surprise) family afternoon get together.

Took some cakes into work. IIRC that was about it, but did get the usual cards and presents from family. Wouldn’t have wanted any big fuss anyway.

Me and DH went to the Caribbean both times (3 years apart)

Cycle ride with picnic. Bought myself a new book and read it in the bath with a glass of wine.

There are a lot of lockdown 50th birthdays on here. Big hugs to everyone who endured that and lucky OP getting to dodge that bullet.

That sounds like such a lovely day.

I went to Peru and hiked the Inca Trail! Best holiday ever.

Both my 49th and my 50th were brilliant. 49th was shortly after my husband died unexpectedly and I was in a ‘life is short’ mood. I invited everyone local to a very flexible bar/brewery place, with all our teenage kids, hired a full on karaoke setup and a henna tattooist and had a truly great party. I am a big fan of all-age dos. Then for my 50th ds and I went to California, stayed with a relative I don’t often get to see and for the birthday itself we were on Santa Monica beach - there is no beach like an American beach to me.

Id see the theme of this thread as being, take control. Make the birthday you want (and can afford) happen.

Marquee in the garden, close up magician and casino, plus a DJ. I had great time.