To be in procrastination paralysis re DH 40th birthday?

9 replies

Standingonlego · 03/02/2013 21:35

My DH will be 40 in a few weeks time. He is really thoughtful and insightful when planning things for me, but I always seem to fall short on inspiration for him. He can be quite high maintenance and likes things to be perfect. I am so worried about getting this special weekend right that I have become stuck and put it off. I am now panicking...!!!! Any advice folks? Any suggestions? He loves great food but eats out at fab places with work so again novelty fails (e.g. we wanted to do Noma last year, but then he ended up going with clients thus scuppering another special plan...).

And how do I stop procrastination tripping me up? It is a real problem for me generally and I do not know why!!!!!???!!!!

I am so worried about getting it wrong!!!!

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PhilMcAverty · 03/02/2013 21:37

It depends on how much money you have - would a weekend break to somewhere like Barcelona be out of the question?

I had it easy when DH turned 40 as he didn't want it marked in any way, thank god, as I'm crap at organising things too.

Original poster

Standingonlego · 03/02/2013 21:40

Weekend break somewhere definitely do-able. Europe for my budget range,

He has definitely said NO PARTY thank goodness as I left it way too late to sort that. I got it in writing as was worried it was a double bluff!

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Numberlock · 03/02/2013 21:44

Weekend break sounds good as you just book the flights and hotel and then both decide what to do when you're there.

So where would he fancy? Capital city? Where has he been already and where has he always wanted to go?

TapselteerieO · 03/02/2013 21:46

I would try and get a select few of his friends/family involved to help plan it.

Ask him what he would like to do? It is much easier to get it right if he gives you ideas.

Organise a caterer to come to the house or book into a favourite restaurant - some offer private rooms.

Do you think he would actually be ungrateful, even if it wasn't perfect? If you procrastinate much more will it be too late - which is worse imperfect/no celebration?

TapselteerieO · 03/02/2013 21:47

Oops took too long to post!

JockTamsonsBairns · 03/02/2013 22:25

Funnily enough, it is also my Dh's 40th birthday in a few weeks - and I have procrastinated for similar reasons to you, not knowing what to plan so therefore planning nothing!
Way back last year, I considered throwing a surprise party - but we hold fairly regular parties anyway, and the guests would be the same so not much mileage in that one. Then I thought I'd whisk him off for a surprise break, but couldn't quite get my head around keeping the secrecy of it all - the organising of getting the Dc's off to the grandparents under wraps, and the trying to get him time off work without him knowing etc.

So, I've come to a bit of a compromise between both ideas. He and I have planned a weekend away together to a European city, its all booked up and MIL is coming to collect all Dc's that morning. All good so far. What Dh won't know til we arrive and go out the first evening is that two of his old and dearest school friends will be there (all turning 40 within a few weeks of each other). Hasn't taken too much in the planning, the extra surprise element is there, and I know we'll have a brilliant time.

zoobaby · 03/02/2013 22:35

JTB's idea sounds great. Any way you could get some old friends involved? Or family he hasn't seen for ages?

Foggles · 03/02/2013 22:41

Combine a weekend break with somewhere with good food. This looks a good website for ideas.

Original poster

Standingonlego · 04/02/2013 18:07

Thank you all for your fab suggestions. Really appreciate it and it has spurred me on.

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