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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I threw a party in the basement bar of a restaurant in London - about 50 friends colleagues and family came and as well as having a DJ my DH played an acoustic set of his own songs. It was great. DH took me to posh hotel in the Lakes the following weekend as part of the celebrations.

I love a party. We threw a karaoke party at our home for my 50th, and even though there were a few rolled eyes at the suggestion everyone queued up on the night to have a go!

Long weekend in/around Edinburgh with DP including dinner at a dumpling restaurant Jai Rayner has just been raving about (he was right) and fabulous beach walks

I was sat with my feet up breastfeeding my newborn. My sons and husband made me birthday cupcakes. I couldn’t have been happier !
do whatever you want OP. a holiday a day trip, a meal out or nothing at all !

Away to an island for a few days with girl friends

Met up with family & other friends to celebrate together

Long time ago now, but we had a long weekend in the Sussex/Kent area and on my actual birthday I had a behind the scenes tour at one of the Aspinal run Zoos in Kent and got to cuddle some fluffies.

The idea of a party made me shudder.

I had a three week old and a two year old so we went to Wisley for a coffee and cake and had a takeaway in the evening. It was all I could manage and it was fab.

I went to Mallorca with DH and kids

My dp took me to Mauritius and 4 nights in Dubai. I would have hated a party.

My 50th was at our local fine dining restaurant with DH & our teen DCs at the time. My 55th (later this year) will be a city break with DH - 1st time that it will be not during school holidays since our youngest DC (fingers crossed) will have left home for uni by then.

By forgetting it and pretending it didn't exist. This may not suit everyone, but it suited me!

With things that I've actually wanted to celebrate, my favourite celebration is a nice meal out with a few friiends and family members.

We had a meal at our favourite pub/hotel. About 8 of us. I HATE a fuss.
My 50th was in 21, lockdown, so it was me, DH and our DFS. Another of our favourite pubs was doing take out orders. It was wonderful!

A weekend in Seville with DP. Stayed in a lovely hotel overlooking the cathedral with a rooftop pool. Ate loads of lovely Spanish food and drank lots of wine and sherry.

Nothing nicer than a really chilled fino.

My DH's company that he had been given shares in was sold so we had a life changing amount of money as a windfall. I got a beautiful watch as a gift from DH. It was also my MIL 70th the same month so we all went on a lovely family holiday to Majorca and rented a really posh villa for a week.

Eurostar to Paris with my husband for four nights. Was a lovely treat . We were lucky that my husband’s parents came to stay to look after our three under three for the duration!

Not 40 but 60 in August and soooo looking forward to my party 🥳

I've got a few things booked throughout the year, a sort of bucket list but not I guess, that I am doing /would like to do…
Im gonna enjoy it, as who knows what’s round the corner?

Dinner with husband, kids and parents at local Italian.

Barn dance in the village hall. It was awesome.

I’m 40 at the end of April…I absolutely do not want a party! So far I’ve booked…

2 nights at a retreat for DH and I
Sweden with DH & DC in May
2 week bucket list trip on the east coast US and Canada.

Went to NYC for 5 days. It was December and christmasy. Loved it.

dream holiday to Thailand for 10 nights with dp.

I was half way through a separation and my living situation was very tense. I went to Devon overnight with my DS and DM, sat on the beach and watched the sunrise (my birthday happens to be Summer Solstice) by myself. It was absolutely glorious and I have watched the sunrise every year since, no matter where I am. New DP now joins me with a travel mug of hot coffee

Mine was in the first lockdown of 2020, I was pregnant and had a toddler. We had takeaway pizza from a local place that was doing contactless collection, I spoke to my parents on a video call, did our permitted stroll round the local park and I was probably sick at some point.

Not the best.

Fellow introvert here. Went to Venice for few days with DH, had a lovely time. Spent the evening of my birthday at a candlelight Vivaldi concert. Fond memories.

Unfortunately I’d had a tooth out in the week leading up to my 40th so I was feeling rotten & had a dry socket. Plus it was snowing & we weren’t able to travel to my brother’s for a celebration. DH made his famous Thai curry (it was one of the first things he cooked for me when we got together) but it turned out super hot & I could hardly eat any! My 50th ended up a total disaster but my 60th in December was lovely! We kept it simple & plan to do a few things throughout the year. I really want to see Paddington The Musical.