Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What did you get for your 50th birthday?

44 replies

kessiebird · 12/08/2022 07:04

It's my 50th next weekend. DH is now asking for present ideas. We are going on holiday twice, which I'd thought of as my present, it's come around quick and I really have no idea what I would like.

He doesn't really do shops so it would be down to me and DD (11) to sort. Just a nosey thread really to ask AIBU to say put a bit of money into a pot and I'll get something I like when I see it? Two kids, cost of living here / looming...

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 12/08/2022 07:09

Mine was a couple of months ago.

My mum & dad got me this water feature (I chose it) which I love.

The ds's got me some garden art.

DP made me a silver heart necklace.

What did you get for your 50th birthday?
sittingonacornflake · 12/08/2022 07:16

@Chasingsquirrels that's lovely

Aprilx · 12/08/2022 07:17

I turned 50 a couple of years ago just as the pandemic really hit and we went into lockdown. We generally do not bother with presents and I wasn’t for my 50th either as we had a big holiday planned which is more interesting to me, but obviously got cancelled. So instead DH picked me a new bit different handbag, it was not this exactly but similar.

www.johnlewis.com/radley-greenwich-observatory-leather-triple-compartment-grab-bag-cornflower-blue/p6313202

I think it is fine to say you will get something when you see it, but I wound the “money in a pot” a bit weird, our money is our money, I don’t need to put anything in a pot.

stacyvaron · 16/08/2022 05:10

I'm over 50 now and find that I don't care as much about "things". It's just more to find a place for, and take care of, clean. I like experiences now. A spa day. Massage. Mani/Pedi. Nice lunch out somewhere on the river that's more extravagant than I ordinarily go. A nice bottle of perfume. A pure (real) cashmere pashmina wrap - I have one I keep in the desk at work, it's the perfect weight. A night away

Iizzyb · 16/08/2022 05:41

No DP here but DM bought me some lovely new garden furniture for my 50th - was a brilliant present!

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 16/08/2022 05:55

I had a personal number plate of my initials.

Original poster
kessiebird · 16/08/2022 10:24

Nice ideas on here, thanks. I'm more of a holiday, nice meal type of person it seems.

My DSis turned up with some presents, DH has let it slip that DS (16) has bought a present with his part time wages and work had a collection and sent a lovely card and vouchers. I've stressed the holiday in the autumn plus a few days break this weekend are enough.

His intention is nice but it all comes from the joint account and we are on the back of 27 years of raising two DSC then two DC (age 11 to 36) which eats away at the cash flow!

OP posts:
NiqueNique · 16/08/2022 10:47

Ah it’s lovely that he wants to treat you, and how lovely that your son has got you a present!

I’m going to be 50 in a couple of years. I’ll probably get a piece of jewellery to mark it. Georg Jensen is my favourite goldsmith but that’s a personal thing to the individual. You can find some lovely things on Etsy or maybe at Monica Vinader if you don’t want it to be too pricey.

I understand what you’re saying about joint finances and other priorities, of course. But it’s very, very important for your children to see that mum counts just as much as everyone else. So if a fuss is made of birthdays then a fuss should be made of yours too - being too dismissive of it, even if it comes from a good and sensible place, could potentially be read as not valuing yourself and your own wants/needs as highly as everyone else’s. As your younger child is a daughter it’s even more important IMO.

NiqueNique · 16/08/2022 11:01

Ah fair enough you have a weekend break. I guess that’s fair enough then. You could then possibly suggest an amount to be set aside for something you want later as that seems a good compromise if there really isn’t anything specific you’d like right now.

NiqueNique · 16/08/2022 11:01

I said fair enough twice Confused Hmm I clearly need another coffee this morning!

Abraxan · 16/08/2022 11:33

It's mine next year (and also dh's) but1 neither of us really want or need anything special. And other stuff we can just buy as and when.

Our main plan is to have a big holiday in the summer, and maybe 1 or 2 smaller ones around the birthdays - it's also DD's 21st plus our 25th wedding anniversary all in one year.

We have these kind of holidays normally, but maybe with even more thought and a special activity or similar whilst there.

Original poster
kessiebird · 16/08/2022 19:07

NiqueNique · 16/08/2022 11:01

Ah fair enough you have a weekend break. I guess that’s fair enough then. You could then possibly suggest an amount to be set aside for something you want later as that seems a good compromise if there really isn’t anything specific you’d like right now.

Plan to do this.

My favourite 'things for me' this year has been reupholstering the garden bed in a retro style and picking up two lovely Superdry tee-shirts on ebay.

On the note of another poster making sure a fuss is made of 'Mum' very good point. Will make sure of that this weekend!

OP posts:
dementedma · 16/08/2022 19:09

A day having lessons flying gliders. Best day ever

SparklingLime · 16/08/2022 19:16

He doesn't really do shops so it would be down to me and DD (11) to sort.

Really? I’m sure he could make an exception for your birthday?

Original poster
kessiebird · 16/08/2022 19:17

Abraxan · 16/08/2022 11:33

It's mine next year (and also dh's) but1 neither of us really want or need anything special. And other stuff we can just buy as and when.

Our main plan is to have a big holiday in the summer, and maybe 1 or 2 smaller ones around the birthdays - it's also DD's 21st plus our 25th wedding anniversary all in one year.

We have these kind of holidays normally, but maybe with even more thought and a special activity or similar whilst there.

Similar to us, 3 nights in a UK lodge then 8 nights in two European cities. We had two holidays abroad cancelled during 2020 and 2021 so feel this is important to widen the DCs horizons too. Plus two cities I've never been to, I'll be happy with a bit of sight seeing and cafe life.

OP posts:
Wynona · 16/08/2022 19:21

one of the most wonderful presents I have given was a colour analysis to a dear friend. She bloomed before my eyes. Changed her life.

Chikapu · 16/08/2022 19:25

A lovely day out to Fota wildlife park. It wasn't long after my mum had died so I wasn't in the mood for anything too celebratory.

MissAmbrosia · 16/08/2022 19:29

DH bought me an art deco emerald ring. My dsis bought me some designer sunglasses. I took the girls to Barcelona for the weekend which was the best bit.

huntersmum · 16/08/2022 19:30

My husband bought me a thigh trainer machine! He could see I wasn’t enthralled and the following day I went shopping and bought a gorgeous very expensive coat which I still adore. This was 17 years ago!
I don’t know what came over him as he normally buys thoughtful gifts but the thigh trainer was a low point - I’m not even sure my thighs needed training when I was 50 ! Anyway it got ‘lost’ in a subsequent house move and was never spoken of again.

Creepymanonagoatfarm · 16/08/2022 19:31

I got a cardboard cut out of my favourite pop star as his concert was put back a year. He attended our afternoon tea in the garden!

Also a 50th Pandora charm off adult ds - no prompting either!
A cheesy 50th glass dd said I must have to keep!
Made up for it at 51 with a weekend away, the concert and a day at Wimbledon!!
Great 2 birthdays!

Icouldbehappy · 16/08/2022 19:36

Nothing. We were skint because I’d spent it all on his 50th months before mine. That was MY choice as he had no one else really, apart from me, to spoil him. And I really did.
I was extremely happy on my birthday and didn’t stop smiling all day. I felt very loved and happy.
Besides, I usually just got myself something if I wanted it so there wasn’t anything I wanted or needed.

Original poster
kessiebird · 16/08/2022 19:43

huntersmum · 16/08/2022 19:30

My husband bought me a thigh trainer machine! He could see I wasn’t enthralled and the following day I went shopping and bought a gorgeous very expensive coat which I still adore. This was 17 years ago!
I don’t know what came over him as he normally buys thoughtful gifts but the thigh trainer was a low point - I’m not even sure my thighs needed training when I was 50 ! Anyway it got ‘lost’ in a subsequent house move and was never spoken of again.

Oh that was unfortunate, at least he made up for it with the lovely coat. My DH got me two Febreeze candles from Poundzone one year, he didn't realise they were air fresheners.

OP posts:
Drivebye · 16/08/2022 19:49

'He doesn't really do shops so it would be down to me and DD (11) to sort'

So he can't be bothered to buy you a present, what's the point! So has he never bought a gift for you? Surely it's irrelevant if you tell him what you want as you are going to buy it anyway. For me the bests gifts are those that people have bought me because they have listened to me and are interested enough to know what I like. Mostly this has been really inexpensive things.

Anyway to answer your question I had jewelry.

SeasonFinale · 16/08/2022 19:52

My husband bought me a very nice watch.

My friends clubbed together and bought me a Mulberry handbag.

Zoeslatesttrope · 16/08/2022 19:53

My mum bought me a lovely water feature.