To not do anything for my 40th birthday?

[Sundaycoffee]

It's in January. I'm not into doing a big party. I would love to go on holiday but anywhere warm enough at that time of year (outside of Europe realistically) is unaffordable for me. Even going on a UK break in January feels a bit pointless when the weather is no doubt going to be too hideous for nice country walks. All you winter babies, how did you celebrate your big birthdays? Any ideas of what i could do or where I could go that won't be affected by the weather?

Would you enjoy a spa weekend? A relative is doing that for a 50th birthday in January as other options don’t appeal for the same reasons that you’ve mentioned.

can you celebrate later? If you can't afford to go away, can't you afford to go away in May/ June when it's warmer?

If you know you want a warm holiday why not just book something for later in the year? It doesn't have to be on your birthday.
Maybe then just do something smaller, meal out, spa day, activity you might like to try.

I'm also turning 40 in January. DH and I are heading to London for a weekend, nice hotel, theatre etc. A very rare time away from DC!

I suppose as we tend to go abroad in the summer anyway so it wouldnt feel any different to just going on our usual summer holiday!

How about a nice hotel and meal sightseeing or similar my dh birthday is in January and we usually do a 2 night mini break and meal

Party at home and an amazing trip to Prague
for my 50th.

Party in a pub and a cruise for my 40th.

Other birthdays,

Night out in the pub with a bunch of friends , I bought lots of tapas dishes and we all paid for our own drinks.

Mini breaks to Berlin and Budapest and one night stays in UK in spa hotels with nice walks and yummy food. I really recommend a nice UK break even if the weather is bad it’s so nice sitting by the fire before dinner and having the breakfast etc.

Holidays to warm places such as Cape Town, Dubai, Caribbean, cruises.

DH and I are the same age, with winter birthdays a couple of weeks apart. Neither of us are particularly party animals, and for various reasons travel abroad is not top of our "fun" list either, especially at this time of year.

For our last milestone birthday we had a trip to a local wildlife park and did one of their VIP animal experience things with the children. It was absolutely brilliant, memorable and fun, and a real "splash-out on something you wouldn't normally consider" thing.

A birthday celebration can be whatever you like 😊

Why not a lovely country house hotel for a spa break in January? Hotels are usually pretty quiet then and have some good deals. You can have lovely meals, treatments and pampering and wrap up warm for some walks - lovely if its cold, crisp and sunny.

Weekend to Paris on Eurostar.

Lots of art, wine, relaxing in hotel.

We were broke to the wide. But I like a party. So I invited everyone I could think of, found a bottle of value vodka in a cupboard, bought a lot of orange juice and crisps, put tea lights in jars, and made a playlist of one song from every year of my life. We made a profit because so many people brought booze! But mostly it was just great fun.

Takeaway tea tomorrow with immediate family and then cocktails with the girls Saturday. I may take myself to the gym Sunday and chill round the pool and sauna but I haven’t yet decided. That’s how I’m spending my 40th! No parties as have told hubby I will turn round and walk out!

Jan long weekend in Malta, Madeira, Tenerife, Malaga, Lisbon - all warmer, sunnier and mega cheap in Jan! Can even do one night two days!

Give me your nearest airport and what weekend works and I’ll find you a great deal!

I went to the Caribbean for my 40th in January, it was a bargain price as low season!

I belong to Extreme Day Trip group on Facebook

Some people go to Alicante or other warm places for 1 day
You could make a weekend of it ?
Prices are cheapest the earlier that you book

Iceland spa for 1 day ?

Canary islands. Nice weather, very different feel from the summer. Have fun!

I’m going to be 50 in Feb and am not doing anything, for all the same reasons!

DH and I went for lunch to the Greenhouse in Mayfair. I love that restaurant. And then stayed in a hotel and parents looked after the DC. Mine was early Feb so I know what you mean about the cold and wet.

Hoseasons lodges are quite lovely - get one with nice walks nearby and a log burner for 3 nights over a weekend?

I’m 40 in January too @Sundaycoffee 🙂 I’m just having close family round for a meal and cake, as usual.
I’m not doing a party for friends and extended family because I hate being the centre of attention and I never enjoy it because I worry so much about whether other people are having a nice time 😂

I will be doing mini celebratory meals out, coffees, theatre trips etc with friends throughout the year (several of them will be 40 too). I am just thinking of it as a ‘yes’ year, where if I just see as many people who love me as I can. I had saved up money for a holiday but decided to spend it throughout the year on these social events instead.

Up to you. I know three friends who basically ignored their 40ths. Each to their own, but I think it’s a shame not to mark it. Do you have family you could go for a meal with? Friends who’d go with you for dinner or an outing somewhere nice?

I’m 40 in February not doing a party as we just had a new baby and are doing a christening instead I’m planning a meal at our house or the pub with my DPs, DH, DCs, DSis and DNephew, then maybe a weekend away somewhere when it’s warmer (in the UK) with DH and DCs, then if my friends want to meet up, a low key lunch in London one Saturday with old friends.

Winter in Europe? Can be gorgeous in the cold! Paris, Berlin, Budapest to name a few all wonderful cities to explore. Just check there's not 10 foot of snow and go embrace it!

p.s. when’s you birthday? Mine’s the 15th!

No such thing as bad weather - just the wrong clothes :)

Seriously, look at a city break - Prague/Krakow - both very affordable - Krakow cheapest - easy reached, easy transport systems and so much history

Will be cold - yep - outside - insides are seriously warm - so good coat, hat, scarf and gloves and socks and walking shoes and that's it - both cities are extremely casual , no need to dress up or even change for dinner - sight seeing clothes are acceptable everywhere