70th Birthday Party

While your 70th birthday is a big landmark for you it is not an earth-shattering moment for anyone else on the planet.
Other people will have other priorities, in this case their family holiday.
They probably do care about you, and wish you well on your birthday and every other day, but they want a holiday!
Have a lovely birthday and enjoy the company at your party... count your blessings!

Great idea ! I hope it goes well Franbern

I also moved my 70th birthday forward to fit in with school terms as much as I could. Most people came to my June garden party but there are always some who either loathe social gatherings or have something better to do. Sigh!
One excuse that made me laugh was that they might lose their 5 star status as Airbnb hosts if even one of them left the house overnight. 😂🤣

I was delighted when I realised that my 85th birthday fell on a Saturday in 2026. Decided to splash out on a big family do - outing and evening meal - with me paying for that. Family would just have to pay for overnight accommodation. Quite pricey for me, and with my own children and partners, grandchildren and partners, plus some special nieces/nephews, looking at about two dozen plus people.
Before I arranged it all, it was pointed out to me that at the time of my birthday in June, GCSE exams are still being held and three of the g.children are involved in those next year.
So, I have given up my actual birthday weekend and delayed my celebration by a fortnight.
Even then have now been told that my youngest g.child is away on a school trip so will not be able to attend. Do school trips get planned more than 15 months in advance? Never mind, assuming I make it to end of June 2026, I will enjoy that celebration with those that do manage to join me, those that do not are the ones missing out - not me.

Oh I hope so!

Sorry, I reported Shery, NOT Sadgrandma, obviously!

I have reported the above….again!!

No idea what a 23 year old would like I’m afraid, do they even wear watches these days? Perhaps you would be better asking on Mumsnet.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

My birthday is 23 December no chance having birthday party then too busy getting ready for Christmas. During Covid it was my 70th birthday and our Golden Wedding so missed out there, couldn’t do anything or see anyone

Why ever should birthday parties be banned for over 10s?
An opportunity or an excuse to celebrate another year, with friends.
You don't need presents or games any more but cake is always welcome ☺️!

I promised my very dear friend I would be there for her 70 th birthday party come what may and I was and she was at mine . She’s always been one of the best friends I ever made . So lucky . Some people didn’t show tho who were supposed to .

emilie

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

I agree

Was it after the invitation? If so, I'd feel burt too, but that could have been a good deal for them, so I wouldn't hold it against them, to be honest. I'm always trying to acknowledge friends' birthdays though, even if it's onle a Smartshow 3d video card that I send to them or a phone call, but I'd say that as long as they still call or text you to wish you a Happy Birthday it's okay. You're entitled to your feeling either way!

Yes, you are being unreasonable. Would you genuinely want your friends to give up their family holiday for your birthday. Why not have a delayed extra celebration when they get back? Invite them to lunch, do a beautiful cold buffet with a hot potato dish ( parsleyed new potatoes with a generous amount of good butter) a couple of bottles of sparkling wine and finish with an indulgent pudding with fresh fruit and cream as an alternative. It is really an assembly job but lovely with good ingredients. No stress involved. Your friends will love it. They will have had their holiday, you will have a second celebration to look forward to with good friends. Be adaptable. Enjoy it and be grateful for looking for the positives in the situation. I think you are probably a lovely lady who momentarily forgot to show the world the best version of yourself.

Three score year andvten is a significant milestone YANBU

I spent my 70th birthday (ten years ago) driving down to Eastbourne to clear my sister's house as she had to go into a nursing home after a serious stroke. We needed to let the house to contribute to the fees. She died seven and a half years later. I did have a big party this year for my 80th and two of our close friends could not come, as they were on holiday in Costa Rica. They had booked this before the Save the Date email went out. It happens. One person cancelled on the day. That happens too.

emilie

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

Absolutely 😂

emilie

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

Absolutely!

emilie

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

I love my friends and family but even as a child I hated birthday parties and tried not to have them or go to them. My mother, however, insisted (what will people think?) so I had to suffer them for years. I was made to go to friends’ parties, much to my disgust. (It didn’t take my mother long to see through my ‘I’ve got a tummy ache’ pleas). To this day, I hate them. My wedding reception was the only celebration I sort of enjoyed, but that was because the euphoria of marrying the man I loved, carried me through.

You say you’re hurt but you seem really angry about it. It seems your friends may not celebrate birthdays much themselves, particularly if one of them didn’t organise the spa day but you organised it for them. I’m another person who doesn’t really get birthday celebrations past 21 and would definitely feel that a holiday takes precedence. Perhaps try to think of it from their point of view? An invitation isn’t a summons, you are offering them a choice whether to come or not. I’m sure they’ll plan a gift and a card and to see you too. Presumably you have invited lots of friends and family so enjoy your special day with them, don’t begrudge these friends their break.

emilie

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

Life is for living! Birthdays are a privilege. I love birthdays and like to celebrate them with family and friends. Not necessarily in a big way, but coming together for a meal or just coffee and cake.
I'm about to move house, town and county. Hoping for many more birthdays in my new home.

Funny old thing ageing and birthdays. People who can afford to lose friends over not turning up , must have plenty of friends.

As an aside " a meal out" is losing its' appeal. I can't seem to enjoy eating something, the cost of which would do a weeks shopping.

Birthday parties are for under 10s only. Banned after that.

I'd be gutted to be away for a friend's 70th and would hope my friends would feel similarly! I'll be organising mine in plenty of time & hoping everyone will be able to come. I should be amazed and definitely sad if my closest friends booked a holiday but if they'd done so before the invitation, it would be forgiveable although I'll be talking about it way before the invitations go out so thay would know! If it's a "subsequent booking", I'd be very upset but sure there'd been a good reason for missing my party. We do give very good parties!!

I really only celebrate birthdays with family normally, my 70th was a meal out with them and it was lovely. My youngest daughter is the one who pushes for celebrations and we did arrange a meal out friends, family and neighbours for our 50th Anniversary, but I certainly wouldn't have taken offence if people couldn't come. It's her 40th this year and I expect she's hoping for a humdinger of a party, but she'll probably arrange it herself.
I think I'll make a bit more effort for my husband's 80th next year, if only because most of the men in either of our families don't make it that far!