Page 7 | To ask what you all did for your big 40

Gilead · 26/09/2021 22:49

My Dh did his usual of pretending he forgot and feeling dramatically guilty all day so the attention was on him. My two closest friends-one sent me a paperback copy of my favourite book at the time so that I wouldn’t feel guilty annotating it and the other, a student nurse bought me a box of Quality Street, but she drove 3 hours to deliver it, give me a hug and make sure the arsehole poured me a glass of wine.

willowtree81 · 26/09/2021 22:55

Had a stressful day trying to look after everyone else as my partner was waiting for an operation. The day itself wasn't anything remarkable. But I have LOVED being in my 40's!!! Feel like I care less what others think and I'm also learning so much about myself, it's ace!! Definitely didn't expect this.

Kitkat151 · 26/09/2021 23:00

Holiday in Turkey with my partner

RubyJack · 26/09/2021 23:05

I had a week in a villa in Fuertaventura with my husband and children.

InMySpareTime · 26/09/2021 23:12

I had a book swap party.
Everyone brought two books, one for me and one for the swaps table. Everyone left with a new book to read.
I got to meet up with my friends for a great get-together and got a load of book presents.
It's not everyone's taste but it was my party so I got to choose.

TarpaulinEyes · 26/09/2021 23:17

My 40th was years ago now. I spent my Birthday week in Venice, it was amazing.

For my more recent significant birthday I made a year of it and did something nice every month. Covid tried to spoil things but didn't work as my needs were simple. A walk in the country, a visit to a lavender farm, a special bottle of wine. Doesn't have to be huge to be fun.

Hattie765 · 27/09/2021 09:52

@Peggytheredhen

That made me chuckle though *@Hattie765*. That does sound like a night to remember!

I semi-accidentally threw a party for DH's 40th and fed everyone dairylea sandwiches (and it was really awkward and embarrassing) so I can't talk though.

This sounds better actually although you can't leave it like that, I have so many questions, how do you accidentally throw a party and end up serving dairylea sandwiches ??? 😂😂😂

Hattie765 · 27/09/2021 10:05

[quote shinynewapple21]**@Hattie765* not sure why you have picked on @PoppityBoo* 'a response to say this isn't what the OP is looking for ? She is asking what people did for their 40th [/quote]
No she didn't, she asked if anyone had as awful a 40th as she did and Poppityboo said well no actually mine was brilliant. In my book that's kicking someone when they're down 🤔

Hattie765 · 27/09/2021 10:12

[quote PoppityBoo]@Hattie765 what exactly about my response isn’t appropriate?!!! She asked me what I did on my 40th and I told her?!!! This seems to be the point of the thread and what everyone else has written?[/quote]
No she didn't, she asked if anyone had as awful a time as she did and you couldn't wait to tell her that yours was great. The fact many other people have done the same is neither here nor there, your post was just the one I read first. I thought it was insensitive.

PoppityBoo · 27/09/2021 10:23

@Hattie765

OPs original comment:

Curious to know if I'm alone in having one of the worst birthdays ever! It was as special as a wet fart. It feels like the big 40 is something people really celebrate - is it?

Please read the last sentence carefully. Having re-read this I don’t see anywhere where she says “please only reply if you are having a completely shit time”. Obviously you have mumsnet psychic skills I don’t possess. Actually I was expecting to have a horrible time as I had loads of great plans and we were back in complete lockdown so couldn’t do anything, so it was nice that it turned into something that I didn’t think it would be. But then I’m satisfied by being visited by lovely family and friends, even if they did have to stand on the doorstep in the freezing cold for ten mins at a time each, and I really appreciated the fact they did that. I am very sorry that the OP hasn’t had a great day and I really hope that this can be rectified either at another time or for another birthday. But let’s be honest, unless you are going to criticise everyone that have a positive response, you need to reel your neck in.

longtompot · 27/09/2021 10:31

My birthday is in December and I had a big garden party with all my family and some close friends. Thankfully it was dry, everyone wrapped up. I covered the garden with fairy lights which looked really pretty. It was good fun.

longtompot · 27/09/2021 10:37

@Hattie765 this is the exact wording of the ops post

To ask what you all did for your big 40 (162 Posts)
Add message | Report | Message poster | Quote SidSparrow Sun 26-Sep-21 14:19:42
Curious to know if I'm alone in having one of the worst birthdays ever! It was as special as a wet fart. It feels like the big 40 is something people really celebrate - is it?

The title asks what people did for their 40th, they then say they are having the worst birthday ever, and ends with do people really celebrate it?

Stompythedinosaur · 27/09/2021 10:40

I'd planned to have a big party and a weekend away, but that didn't happen due to lockdown. I was expecting a total flop, but dp planned an amazing day with a treasure hunt that started in the house and then carried on during our daily work and ended with the dc and I digging up some buried treasure.

As part of the puzzle I had to ring my three closest friends (they had clues) and then my brother met us on our walk.

It was really lovely.

garlictwist · 27/09/2021 10:48

Mine was this summer. DP and I went to the Lake District for the weekend. It pissed it down so we went to the Pencil Museum in desperation. I know how to party

Rosebel · 27/09/2021 10:51

I was supposed to have a party but it was in lockdown and I was 8 months pregnant so was all cancelled. Didn't even get a gift off my husband.

mylittleyumyum · 27/09/2021 11:09

Spent the day with my little family on a private boat, wined and dined all day, did a little snorkelling, a little snoozing, some reading, lots of sunbathing.

It was the best day of my life.

Notcoolmum · 27/09/2021 11:12

Went out for a meal with family and friends on the day. Trip to the lakes with a group of girlfriends. Another group of girlfriends came up to my city and we stayed in city centre apartments and had a night out. Went to Paris to see the Christmas markets. Will be a quieter 50th!

ElvisPresleysSideburns · 27/09/2021 11:17

A balloon ride!

80sMum · 27/09/2021 11:22

I didn't do anything special for my 40th. I went to work as usual, picked up the kids from school, cooked their dinner as usual.
Went round to a friend's house in the evening and we had a Sainsbury's microwaved Chinese ready-meal. I couldn't have any wine though as had to drive myself home!

Peggytheredhen · 27/09/2021 11:23

I thought the same as @Hattie765 actually, having read the original post properly.

Skyeheather · 27/09/2021 11:24

It was the same as any other birthday, DP spent the same amount of money on my present (didn't get anything extra because it was a "special birthday"). DP took me out to dinner at my favourite restaurant, had some mocktails because I was six months pregnant. Didn't get a single thing with 40 on it, no cards, banners or balloons or anything.

Peggytheredhen · 27/09/2021 11:35

Hattie the accidental party came about because DH and his friends had been out for an activity plus lunch and DH said they would come to ours with their wives and very small kids for 'a coffee and some cake for an hour' before going on to have dinner elsewhere. I had a small baby and was very lacking in brain function, but thought I'd do a few dairylea sandwiches and cheesy puffs for the kids. However, the adults ate them too so they were gone in minutes but they then all stayed ages! My overriding memory is of every one standing around looking slightly awkward near a table empty of food and no alcohol. Not the best 'party' I have ever thrown

applestamper · 27/09/2021 13:54

@GriseldaChop

On my 40th birthday it was my first official day as a mum! We brought our adopted ds home the day before and the first time he woke up in our home was my 40th birthday. Best birthday present ever!

This wins the thread!

Hattie765 · 27/09/2021 14:05

[quote PoppityBoo]@Hattie765

OPs original comment:

Curious to know if I'm alone in having one of the worst birthdays ever! It was as special as a wet fart. It feels like the big 40 is something people really celebrate - is it?

Please read the last sentence carefully. Having re-read this I don’t see anywhere where she says “please only reply if you are having a completely shit time”. Obviously you have mumsnet psychic skills I don’t possess. Actually I was expecting to have a horrible time as I had loads of great plans and we were back in complete lockdown so couldn’t do anything, so it was nice that it turned into something that I didn’t think it would be. But then I’m satisfied by being visited by lovely family and friends, even if they did have to stand on the doorstep in the freezing cold for ten mins at a time each, and I really appreciated the fact they did that. I am very sorry that the OP hasn’t had a great day and I really hope that this can be rectified either at another time or for another birthday. But let’s be honest, unless you are going to criticise everyone that have a positive response, you need to reel your neck in.[/quote]
Oh I don't care hon, don't take it so personally, I thought it was insensitive, big deal 🙄

soupmaker · 27/09/2021 14:17

Went and stayed in a very posh hotel on a Scottish island which had a Michelin starred restaurant with DH while DC1 was with DGPs. We were only there for 2 nights but it was blissful. Had to delay my 50th due to lockdown, having a trip to London with DH while DCs have a holiday with DSIL. Can't wait.