40th birthday - new and interesting ideas please!

[Cluckyagain]

Hi - I'm 40 in a few months and am getting serious pressure from friends and hubby to 'make up my mind and decided what I want to do for it'. Really I'd like to get a curry and watch a film but I suspect they may go mad!! Not a vast budget - £200ish but would like to do something with 2 other couples, pref active or silly - def. NOT spa day or such! Any suggestions? cxx

Point one - this is YOUR birthday so do what the hell YOU like.

Point two - take the core of your idea and build on it. How about - Saturday: 1-day Indian Cookery Course for the six of you, maybe in a city within reach, ending with you all eating the curry. Saturday night: all dress up and go on serious film outing - somewhere nice - I'm thinking Harbour Lights in Southampton, the Ritzy in Brixton, the Empire Leicester Square - somewhere a bit special with a film you really love.

Job done.

OOH - nice idea but can't really afford that. I should have said that really I'd like to pay for a treat for all (for £200) so holiday breaks are out of the question I think. (and don't think I can swing the child care either!)

Hmm - like it - lessons in something...adds to list of possibilities.

Day at the races? Maybe a meal after if you win anything!
Day having a skiing lesson/doing rock climbing/any sort of activity you'd arrange for a kid's birthday? Pub after. Actually pub before.....!

Hire a barge or boat for the afternoon?
Sightseeing tour of somewhere?

well, you could do a half day course for you and dh/best friend, with the others arriving to eat the results? In this climate, offer what you can afford, and see.

Alternatively, dance class/session followed by curry and film?

Dog-racing followed by curry?
Murder mystery night.
Tribute band and meal - a few hotels and pubs near us do these now.

Lots of fab ideas - thanks all. I need to talk again to dh, although I know he's just going to groan at my indecision!!!