to ask how you celebrated your 40th?

[HaveSomeGrace]

Just that really.

Husband is 40 next May and looking for some inspiration.

Walked over the O2 with husband, something I had wanted to do since it opened but was pregnant when it first opened, not on my birthday due to childcare reasons!

Had an afternoon tea with friends and then another with my sister - slightly more pricey affair I wouldn't ask my friends to do.

Other friends have had a weekend family camping trip, hog roast in garden, BBQ's.

Took my DH to the F1 @Silverstone, was on his bucket list. Had fab time

In Madrid. Visited the Prado and was underwhelmed by Picasso's Guernica but loved the Goya Napoleonic War paintings.

Sorry. Just realised you are talking about your DH's birthday! I booked a surprise overnight stay at a posh hotel (although we took DS with us!). I just told him to keep the weekend free, and when we were driving there I took a few wrong turns to throw him off the scent!!!! I'd then booked an evening meal with his family, and he had no idea, and was totally gobsmacked when he walked into the restaurant. His sister had decorated the table and there were '40' balloons, etc. I'd prearranged a cake too, and he was really pleased. He had no idea, and it all worked out really well (apart from the 5am fire alarm the next morning!!).

Dinner with 2 friends the weekend before and on the day dinner with my family.

I’m not really a party person, so DP booked a table at a Michelin starred restaurant, just the two of us. That sort of thing isn’t for everyone, but we loved it. .

Don't think mine will work for you...

Came out and went to my first pride

Several nights out with friends who were variously, shocked, happy and not surprised at all on me

I had a Birthday month too! Lol! I turned 40 in May and did......
Night out with cocktails and dancing with friends.
Family buffet in the house with mine and DPs families.
On the actual day went to a museum, park and Butterfly World with DP and baby DS (5mths)
Afternoon drinks, meal, spa and hotel down the road with DP while my wonderful mother had DS who slept through the night without a peep!
3nts in Spain with girl friends while my wonderful DP had the best time with baby DS!
Afternoon Tea with my mother and 2 family friends.

I was totally spoilt and I know it sounds like I leave my baby a lot but it’s the only time I’ve ever been away from him with no more planned until our Wedding in December.

Had a big party on a boat on the Thames. I loved every minute of it. Was very touched by how many people made the effort to come when I hadn’t seen them for many years.

Spent the day in Oncology clinic as DH had just been diagnosed with cancer

I was going to tell you all about my crazy and different 40th birthday party, but I don't feel as though I can, now.

I'm so sorry, Chuffin. How did it go for your DH?

Night at Ronnie Scott's with the band from Strictly playing. Pre drinks at Gin Club. All shared with DH and best friends. TBH I had to organise most of it myself, but a fabulous night.

Sorry Chuffin.
I went to a lovely hotel in Paris for a citybreak. Great way to spend my 40th.

It was two weeks ago! I had a 40 in the 1940s party- marquee in the garden, live swing music, hotdog stand! Everyone dressed in 1940s clothes. It was one of the best nights of my life- 150 friends and family.

Had a joint 40th with DH. Our birthdays are 17 days apart. All family and friends. Our birthdays fall in summer so we had a garden party/bbq. It was fab. Really enjoyed it.

What's the celebration for? Just another year nearer the grave/dementia/debt/MIL issues really.

And guests will forget it next day apart from the hangover effect.

I would choose to mark the occasion quietly myself. But I know I am going to be considered an oddball. There are a few of us about!

Hope that is allowed.

I organised a weekend away for my husband. We had 2 small kids, but had a cracking weekend away.

My 40th is this Year. I intend to get pissed.

For me it was to mark the end of my thirties, which had been a horrific nightmare with various psychiatric inpatient stays after severe mental illness during and after all my pregnancies. I was basically ill from 29-38. So for me it was a full stop to all of that.

@Peachypips

I love your party, I think it’s teally lovely. No need to justify anything to anyone!

Party thrown by my husband for me and 50 of my friends. Lovely restaurant with a rooftop bar. Great night.

Went to a sea side town and a posh hotel. Drank cocktails, ate lots of great food, had lots of sex and it snowed.

Family and friends had a surprise party for me.

We haven’t got there yet and have enjoyed reading all the ideas. Current thinking is that DH and I will do a joint camping weekend (both turn 40 in the Same year) with friends with some kind of barn to have a bbq / party one of the nights.

Also there is talk of girls’ weekends away as my best friends all turn 40 around the same time, too!

With a big party at a swanky bar organised by DH. It was brilliant.

@LePetitPont

It’s been nice reading it hasn’t it. Got some ideas but I don’t know how well they’d go down so still mulling things over.

Sounds like your 40th will be ace though!

Wow! Some amazing celebrations here! I was 40 this year. My birthday was midweek and I spent the weekend before in Amsterdam with my 2 best friends and the weekend after in Venice with DH. Both were lovely, but my actual birthday was shit and was spent cleaning and ironing in preparation for MIL coming to stay to look after the DC whilst DH and I were away. DH didn't buy me a gift and my parents didn't even send a card. I've never had a nice birthday, nor a party. I've always felt that I wasn't special enough for anyone to make an effort for me.