40th birthday - how did you celebrate?

[birdysong]

About to turn 40 and no plans on what to do. Wondered what others did- particularly introverts who didn't want a party - DH had a massive party for his last year but it's really not for me. I would have the attention.
How have others celebrated their 40th?

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It’s coming up. On the day itself my parents and sibling and nephew will come over for lunch with me, DH and DC. Then a few weeks later I’m going to London to a fancy restaurant for lunch with the girls.

As a joint 40th treat DH and the DC and I are off to the med for a very fancy holiday in May. We’ve got a new baby, so no party but we’ll toast our birthdays at the baby’s christening do later in the year. DH and I might also go for a lunch with baby the day before my birthday. So a few very nice things but no party (I had a big one for my 30th and the pressure meant I struggled to enjoy it), and no big present because of the fancy holiday, but that’s fine by me.

DH booked a surprise trip to New York - including on the day of my birthday a helicopter trip, a visit to Tiffanys (costume jewellery floor!) and a meal at Gordon Ramseys Maze restaurant - this was more years ago than I'd like to admit. He also managed to fit in a visit to a bar to watch a football match, but after everything else he'd arranged, I let him have that one!

I was so burnout and in an utterly awful work situation, I couldn't face going abroad. Instead partner booked a cottage in north Wales literally miles from anywhere so I didn't have to socialise! We went horse riding and had a Sunday lunch at a Michelin starred place. It really was lovely but I still hate that work really put a downer on it.

I'm turning 40 in a few weeks. I've booked a trip abroad with my partner (to escape the winter). And then I'm going on a high speed rib boat with friends in the summer. I didn't want a party either.

Definitely no party! With husband had a holiday in Venice, although not explicitly for my birthday as we would always go away at that time of the year anyway. Frankly, less is more, when it comes to adult birthdays.

Went to my then favourite Michelin star restaurant in Edinburgh and went to Harry Style's first solo tour, just got tickets to his third!

I went to London with DH. Stayed in a hotel and went to see a theatre show with one of my favourite actors in it. Had a brilliant time.

It was the pandemic :(

I'd have had a nice meal with friends otherwise. Optional dancing.

I went on a solo trip to Berlin. A party would have been my worst nightmare.

40's 40 party - hired a village hall and the amazing Salisbury Big Band. Buffet & 40's fancy dress. Got everyone to bring their own booze. Invited family & friends - had an amazing time.

Did it all again 12 years later for our Silver Wedding Anniversary. Live Big Band music is a joy for all age groups

I’ve just planned a weekend away to a craft hotel for a couple of nights me hubby and kids. Actual day I’ve booked the spa and lunch out with hubby. We have no sitters for the kids over my bday month. Hubby has booked me a suprise weekend away somewhere in June… apparently that’s the only date it could happen hmm. For hubby I booked mum for the kids and hired a private chef and his closest friend and wife to join us.

For my 40th, DH managed dinner at the Fat Duck, stayed overnight at the Waterside Inn and had lunch there the following day before going home.

For DH, I arranged a long weekend in New York, staying at the Waldorf Astoria (I had enough points) and dinner at the River Cafe.

Sitting on the beach in February with gin in a tin during lockdown.

I threw a "surprise party" for myself 😂 all my loved one's were there and it was a fantastic day.

Mine is at the end of March. We're doing a 2 week California road trip during the Easter hols, sightseeing in San Francisco, surfing in Santa Cruz, Sea otters in Monterey, hiking in Yosemite and skiing in lake Tahoe. Our youngest is only 3 so it might be a bit much for him but we'll see how it goes!

DH asked if I wanted a party but I said I'd rather spend the money on doing something just the 4 of us.

It fell on a Saturday but my choir had a concert that evening. I had my parents and siblings and their kids round for tea on the Sunday and a big house party for friends the next Saturday.

DH and I had two nights at Le Manor aux Quat'Saisons. PILs looked after DD while we were away.

We had already been there for one night when DH was 40. Fantastic! DD was still a toddler then which was why we only felt comfortable going for one night. But by my 40th she was nearly 7 and used to staying with them which was why we pushed the boat out for a two night stay.

Really good. I think if you are there one night then you definitely want to go for the tasting menu, which was sublime. But on the second night we decided to just go off the a la carte and see what it was like. Oh so good!

Lovely dinner party for 14 at a restaurant around the corner from where I used to live. My parents came over from the UK. I still have the menu that was spray-painted onto wallpaper. Was a terrific evening with lots of chat, laughter and music from a friend, who entertsined the entire restaurant with a selection by Gershwin whose 100th birthday was the same day.
Parents were so impressed they wanted a repeat for my 50th, which did not happen as rather a lot had gone on since then, including marriage and suicide. My toyboy took me out to dinner instead, which was also delightful.

I went to Brussels and bruges with DH, no DC!

Long weekend in Madeira with my husband. Also commissioned a piece of jewellery for myself.

Long weekend in Gdansk with my other half which was perfect, spa afternoon with my best friend and lots of afternoon teas/meals out/drinks with friends and family for months afterwards!

Not my 40th but 50th (after having a big party for my 40th and wondering afterwards why I did it because I don't enjoy big parties for myself).I did a cocktail making class with 2 of my friends, another 2 friends I went to high tea with and another friend and her family had a meal at the pub with me. I loved it and would do it again for 60.

Holiday with DH and kids in Spain
Lovely taverna in the evening

Climbed a small mountain in japan, slid and fell on my butt a few times. View fogged over once we reached the top. Had dinner at the first restaurant off the expressway exit on the way back in mud stained pants. It was great! 😆

A bottle of wine and cake.