<p>Bought myself and a friend front row tickets for CSNY. Worth every cent.</p>
<p>Had a party for myself on an appropriate close weekend to the actual day. Potluck, good friends around. Some already busy friends would be concerned if there were no celebration, so I planned something inclusive of many in my social circle to simplify things for everyone, and to make sure there was an event of some sort! </p>
<p>Years ago I learned to make birthdays special for myself, as feeling forlorn and wondering if anyone cares is no fun. Then any attention is a welcome surprise.</p>
<p>For DH: had a small party at home with close friends. I had searched and searched and searched for bottle of vintage port from his birth year. Finally found it (it was a war year - yes! that old! - and hard to find). Served it with some cheese and a portwine chocolate cake. Yum.</p>
<p>For me: we invited four close friend couples to a very nice restaurant in our town. DH brought special wines and champagne in, paying corkage instead of buying wine in order to have some very special bottles.</p>
<p>It’s been a while for both of us, but these occasions I still remember.</p>
<p>Mine is coming up in about 6 months. Seriously hoping I can slink through it without notice. I am worried that my bff is going to do something about it. She tends to like to notice events she considers monumental. (Will truly be relieved if she just lets it go by and takes me for lunch as she always does on my b’day.) Turning 30 was a big deal and turning 40 was a super big deal to me. My 40th b’day party was lots of fun -quiet, but fun. For some strange reason, I’m not concerned about turning 50. </p>
<p>That being said, a few years ago a good friend had a really great 50th b’day party. It was held in a clubhouse and had dancing and a potluck buffet. Her sons surprised her and put together a video of her from babyhood to the present. Brought tears to my eyes. It was really nice to see all of her family (both her parents are still living) together in one place. One of my favorite memories from that party was seeing her, her mom, and her neice (about 13 years old at the time) dancing together to rock music. My friend looked really, really happy. (One of my favorite framed pics is of her and I and one of her sons laughing together at her party.) </p>
<p>Another friend spent her 50th at Cirque de Soleil in Orlando with her immediate family. She had a great time. I think the secret to a good 50th is to be surrounded by loved ones (and friends who have enough sense to NOT buy those stupid “over the hill” cards!)</p>
<p>
Yes, DH remarked that, at 50, you don’t get birthday cards… you get insults :D.</p>
<p>My husband surprised me with a hot air ballon ride that lifted off from the middle of our street at 7 am on my birthday. For his 50th, I surprised him with a small party at a local restaurant with appetizers and cake and a trip to Puerto Rico for just the two of us. We both made 50 a fun celebration. I had no chance at all to be depressed - it was my best birthday!</p>
<p>Reading this thread made me realize my big 50 is coming up (one more year). I still remember the 50 birthday party we threw for my parents. It’s unbelievable it’s going to be my turn soon. Where has the time gone. I have just put my husband on notice, lets see what he comes up with.</p>
<p>I have another 16 months. My goal is to complete my first marathon (26.2 miles) on or around the date.</p>
<p>When H turned 50, I had a dinner party for him with some of his closest friends. When I turned 50, I think my mom had a family dinner for the extended family. It wasn’t too big a deal for me, we made more of it for H, since he reached “1/2 century” much, much earlier than I.</p>
<p>For my single brother, we had a big B-day party for him at his house with many of his friends & business associates. For my sister & her husband, they just had dinners with their friends. My younger sibblings haven’t turned 50 yet, so not sure what they’ll be doing. Can’t remember doing much of anything when my folks turned 50, but we have had big parties when they turned 70 & every 5 or 10 years thereafter.</p>
<p>Mine is coming up and being someone who doesn’t care for “birthday” attention anyway, I hope it comes and goes quickly! </p>
<p>I do have a goal in mind - just a few pounds to get further down to 150 by my b-day. It’s not far away!</p>
<p>My kids know I don’t like my birthday ANY year - and I admit this one, I"m dreading. My son made me a deal - I have to celebrate 50 - then, I can start counting backwards! I’m looking forward to being 49 again!!! :)</p>
<p>I gave myself a luncheon with my girlfriends–many of whom have been close friends since junior high or high school. Actually, it is embarrasing how few “new” friends (less than 10 years) that I have! It was lovely party and planning it stopped me from feeling bad that my H would never have thought to do something like it for me. I opted for “girls” only because some of my friends’ husbands do not get along (we had all worked together in the past).</p>