OK people, I need your ideas. I am going to be 40 in just under 3 months and I need suggestions as to how I can celebrate reaching the age ‘at which life begins’.
I have never really celebrated any of my milsetone birthdays – my 21st involved getting drunk with friends at university and my 30th was a meal with family and friends at our local Italian restaurant. I’m not looking for things like sun-drenched holidays or world cruises – I’m looking for magical ways I can mark the occasion without breaking the bank, that I’ll remember forever.
I must confess that I am secretly relishing the idea of growing old disgracefully and cannot wait until I reach my 50th so I can join our local chapter of the Red Hat Society. But until then I need to make the most of my 40s and squeeze everything I can out of them! Sam Thewlis (@samthewlis) and I have already pencilled in a joint Twitter party, as our birthdays are quite close together (although she is much younger than me!) to which you are all cordially invited – wear what you like but please DO bring a bottle!
So please throw some ideas into the hat – the best one gets a slice of birthday cake!
Congratulations!! I don’t know Bedfordshire very well, but how about Afternoon Tea at Luton Hoo (I’ve been there asnd it’s fab) followed by a champagne night out with the girls? (Or if you were to go into London, Tea at the Ritz, followed by Amuse Bouche in Soho!)
Hope you have fun!
Louisa x
You have to do something that scares you and is really out of your comfort zone. For my best friend that would be burlesque dancing (something we plan to do soon), for me it would be probably be swimming with sharks (something I don’t plan to do soon). You get the idea – tell us your fears and we will come up with something that tackles them head on and celebrates your maturity in a totally immature way
Sam, i have had my thinking cap on all morning and still haven’t come up with any good ideas! I feel that a magical celebration for you would involve your girls… aside from the big party i think you should definitely have – how about incorporating a winter walk with a twist into your day. Find a perfect spot where you will be free to visit forevermore and plant a tree with your family. This will mark your 40th birthday in a way unlike any other and will continue to grow and blossom with you! …OR, just do something completely crazy like sky diving? Lol
I think you should have a “40 things for a Fab 40th” list – so 40 things to do to mark your 40th – can be big and small – may be presents you want from people, places to go, people to see – and you can spread them out to last all year!…..and I want to join in at least one thing please!!!!! xx
Here’s an idea for the ’40 things for a fab 40′ list – arrange to meet up with your old Sharnbrook Upper School mates at the place where you used to hang out at break times. (Hopefully this will be at the actual school rather than the lane at the back where everyone went for a sneaky fag!). Then go down the pub afterwards.
I hoped to do this with my Pilgrim Upper mates, but it was daytime so we went to the more kid-friendly Marston Vale Country Park last Christmas instead.
Love the idea of a Twitter party – I’ll be there!
P.S. Is everyone here called Helen???
You should go to a burlesque show with a group of girly friends…some offer classes too or you could find a local independent cinema hire it and watch one of your favorite films on the big screen with all your nearest and dearest…. some let you bring food and drink in!!
My best friend of 20+ years and I turned 40 within 2 months of each other. We celebrated with a girls’ weekend in New York and had a wonderful time. Hoping to do it again for our 45ths next summer. But if a trip isn’t within your budget, maybe something more personal like a scrapbook or journal with highlights from your first 40 years. You could include lessons learned, etc and eventually give it to your children.
Last night I went to a fab 40th party with 15 mums from school – we went Snow Tubing! Normally done as a kids party, it was great fun, hurtling down the slopes squealing, and we had fondue in the “ski lodge” afterwards. Whatever you do, have fun! (btw, this mum has already celebrated with her family and had various lunches and trips … spread out your 40th with a celebration for everyone, not necessarily expensive but marking the occasion somehow)