60th Birthday

A trip to Venice. Or was that my 50th...

I'm trying to remember but the programme on TV just now made me remember!

My DC and DH arranged a weekend in London with a theatre trip.
It was lovely, a bottle of champagne in the room too, all a complete surprise.

No ‘stuff’ for me . I had a helicopter flight along The Thames from Battersea to The Thames Barrier and back, followed by afternoon tea at The Wolseley. Wonderful.

A weekend at PortMeirion was another lovely surprise for one birthday.

For my 60th my DDs gave a surprise party with family plus friends even flying in from the UK, Everyone contributed towards a trip to Cuba.
My 70th, another surprise party (under the guise of my GD’s confirmation) with UK friends and a beautiful watch.

My DS took me on a hot air balloon flight, which was marvellous. DH, with no head for heights, followed us by car and joined us for a glass of champagne before chauffeuring us back home. A great 60th birthday present because as my big birthdays coincided with big wedding anniversaries we chose to celebrate those.

Though for my 50th birthday I had a wonderful weekend when we filled a small country house hotel with 50 of our favourite people, with dinner and dancing on the Saturday night. I had never had a birthday party so the one I did have was a humdinger.

I tend to give gifts such as National Trust or Historic Scotland membership or tickets to Gardening Shows or the theatre.

Being a cat fanatic, we're going down to the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent for my 60th so I can 'meet' some of them. Excited!

DH arranged a weekend for ten of us in a superb hotel in the Lakes. DD designed and had made a necklace, a unique piece.
Another gift was vouchers for a holiday in the South of France.
Just the whole family together was celebration enough.

Mine was wonderful! Having a birthday do near to Christmas has always sucked gifts and party wise as people are partied out after New Year etc, but my husband organised a brunch party to which 16 friends attended and bought me a tag heuer dive watch. Now 62 I am still diving with it. My friends commissioned a painting and had planned and kept this secret for months. My sister did nothing. This was all before the first covid lockdown. I am now seeing these friends again after an absence of two years! And having some wonderful reunions.

I agree that spending time with favourite people is the best way to spend a birthday although I do admit to liking a bit of “stuff” too! However I prefer low key events such as going to someone’s house. The big holidays and special outings don’t appeal to me at all.

My daughter and son-in-law took me to Berlin Christmas markets for my 60th birthday. We had a wonderful time. I hosted a big birthday dinner at a restaurant which my mum did her best to ruin but we went back to my son's house (without her) and he had organised a pinata and games and nibbles.

Millie22

Mr M and I went to a little beach called Highcliffe for the day and then had a meal out in the evening. It was lovely just to be together.

I was only wondering about Highcliffe the other day. My mother’s family came from Southampton, we lived in Worcestershire but used to visit regularly, these were our holidays, and when the weather was good we went to the seaside. I remember going to Highcliffe on more than one occasion and have fond memories of those visits. If I remember correctly it has a pebble beach.

Pandrews

Hello ladies, I'm 60 in a matter of weeks and people keep asking what I would like as a gift. I'm at a loss so I'm looking for inspiration - what we're the best presents you received?

Have a look at the 90th birthday thread at my reply Pandrews because that may be of interest.