to not want a massive party to celebrate my 40th?

[lottielou39]

Lots of people I know have recently, through the power of Facebook, posted hundreds of photos of 40th birthday bashes with giant 3 tiered cakes, hired bands, 100 of their closest mates, followed by photos of their weekend spa trip to Milan, then photos of the fifteen nights out they had in celebration. I don't want a 40th party. Am I weird or AIBU?

It's entirely up to you. Big do or nothing much - it's nice to mark it in some way though.

I had mine recently and we did do quite a bit of celebrating over several days with many friends and family, and then dh and I went to Rome the following weekend.

Someone (kindly) told me it's the 'last pretty birthday, so make sure you take lots of photos'!

Yanbu. It's my 40th in May and I'm sick of being asked what I'm doing and whether I'm having a big party. I suspect the people asking just want a party to go to.

I'd quite like to have a night away with DP without DD but we're in the middle of buying a house so are skint so I think it might be a joint house warming 40th drinks party with friends & family.

YANBU (of course!) - it's mine close to Christmas this year and I don't want a big party either. Not just because of the hassle/expense, but my friends fall into fairly separate groups (school, work, closest friends, mums, DC's school etc) and although they are all quite capable of socialising, I think naturally they'd split into their own groups and I'd end up rotating frantically trying to get to everyone.

However, I do agree it's a milestone (cultural norms and all that, and I have found myself doing some stock-tacking in the run up) so my plan is:

Day itself - Sunday lunch with family, either at my parents' or out, either way so I don't have to do anything
Day before - girls' lunch in town with three closest friends
Weekend after - two nights in London with DH - any hotel suggestions??!

I'd quite like to fit in something with my school friends too. And my work colleagues . If nothing else the time of year makes it difficult.

I do see the 'it's just another day' point, but I wouldn't be able to ask people to come long distances/ my parents to babysit the DCs for an entire weekend for my 39th/41st, so I might as well take advantage?