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60th Birthday celebration ideas, what did you do?

(56 Posts)
Alltogethernow Sun 01-Dec-24 15:03:00

It’s my 60th next year and OH is asking how I want to celebrate. I really don’t know yet. I know I dont want a party as I am hugely introverted and attention makes me cringe and feel uncomfortable (yes, even with my own family) I don’t want to sit in the sun for a week ( it bores me these days) I don’t want a girly holiday ( see above: introversion) I do like Spas and fitness, gyms, walks etc…but OH hates them so I’d be on my own (he also has health problems so unreasonable to expect that from him)

Did anyone do anything for a big birthday that they’d like to tell me about or inspire me? Any suggestions.

Tenko Sun 01-Dec-24 15:09:16

What time of year is your birthday ?. Mine is early October and for my 60th we did a road trip to Boston and New England for the leaf peeping in the fall.
You could do a city break either in the UK or abroad . Maybe find somewhere flat for easy walking and a hotel with a spa .

Calendargirl Sun 01-Dec-24 15:14:00

My birthday is soon after Christmas.

For my 60th, I had just retired and we were going to visit DD in Oz a few weeks later. So DS invited us for Sunday lunch on the day.

Unfortunately, DH was ill in bed. I said I would stay sat home with him, but DS insisted I went to them as it was my birthday.

Think we had fish pie. I’m sure DIL made me a cake.

And no, never wanted a party or a huge gathering.

NannyJan53 Sun 01-Dec-24 15:14:36

For my 60th I had a meal out with friends and family. Then OH and I went to Venice for 5 days.

pascal30 Sun 01-Dec-24 15:26:29

I hired a riad in Marrakesh and went walking in the Atlas mountains with DS.. Then when I returned had a big party where I made lots of Moroccan dishes..

keepingquiet Sun 01-Dec-24 16:10:10

My birthday is in the summer- so I had a barbeque in the garden and then a Sunday lunch in a local restaurant on my actual birthday.

ginny Sun 01-Dec-24 16:12:44

For my 60th ( July birthday) my family hired a canal boat for the day.
DDs provided scrumptious food and drink for lunch . We just enjoyed chatting and watching the scenery. Lovely day☀️

GrannyGravy13 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:13:22

My birthday is in the summer, the family arranged for one of our Aussie contingent and her partner to surprise me by knocking on the door the day before. There were tears and chatter in the local Indian restaurant that night.

On my birthday we went to a restaurant by the sea, AC and GC and Aussies.

The day after DH, myself, The Aussies and three close couples went to The Manoir aux Quatre Saisons.

We had smoked salmon sandwiches and champagne on the lawn. In the evening we had the taster menu in a private room. We all stayed over, and it was fabulous.

I know I am fortunate, and I have so many happy memories from that weekend.

J52 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:16:21

Mine is at the beginning of January so we went to Oz to visit DS, making sure we were there for New Year.
I think a trip somewhere special is a good idea if you are not a party person. A night at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons was another memorable birthday.

Grandma70s Sun 01-Dec-24 16:16:22

I went to Paris. My sons arranged it. Fabulous!

J52 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:17:14

Snap GG

GrannyGravy13 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:20:51

J52

Snap GG

My children know I would like my ashes scattered round the lake there, not sure if it’s possible, but hey ho, I can dream.

J52 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:24:11

Well they could have dinner and then go for a moonlight walk with a small bag.
I agree it’s somewhere very special.

Ladyleftfieldlover Sun 01-Dec-24 16:29:30

For my 60th, OH and me and our three children and their partners, met up at my favourite London restaurant - the Hawksmoor in Air Street. Lots of delicious food, fizz and perfect presents. I didn’t want a party either.

surfingsal Sun 01-Dec-24 16:39:30

My birthday is in June , we have both been married before so we had my husbands children and grandchildren and my children and grandchildren plus my mother and MIL and various other relatives, we had a buffet in the garden luckily the weather was perfect. We live on the seafront so in the afternoon we went on the beach and played everything from Cricket to Bowls and eventually ended up in the sea , it was a fantastic day , next June is my 70th so I will have to start , thinking what to do.

petra Sun 01-Dec-24 16:49:29

We went to China for my 60th.
The only downside was that I was taken to hospital in Shanghai with food poisoning on my birthday. 😂

monk08 Sun 01-Dec-24 16:51:53

Weekend in Bath with friends who were also celebrating their 60th. On the day a meal out with son and daughter in law then a week later was our Ruby wedding Anniversary so a party then for family and friends.

NotAGran55 Sun 01-Dec-24 17:17:40

My husband, sons and I had a helicopter ride along The Thames from Battersea to the Thames barrier and back. Followed by afternoon tea at The Wolseley.

Lunch out with extended family the following day.

TerriBull Sun 01-Dec-24 17:30:03

We went right over thd top for my 60th. We did my dream destination Buenos Aires for a week and then Uruguay, Iguazu Falls and Rio de Janeiro away for 3 weeks. I had to hold those memories for my 70th end of last year, I managed to break my arm and we both had Covid to boot so had to cancel our far more modest going away plans.

LadyInBlue Sun 01-Dec-24 17:32:45

When it was my 60th birthday party 26 years ago, our family paid for my late husband and I to go on the Orient Express for a trip and a meal. I still have all the photos and paperwork, it was also the year I retired from work after 45 years.

Davida1968 Sun 01-Dec-24 17:37:12

For my 60th I chose to go away, with DH. Mine is a summer birthday, so we rented a lovely holiday cottage in an area which I'd never seen but wanted to visit. Super birthday dinner in a pub that was a short walking distance from the cottage. Lovely visits to rural places and stately homes. Recommended!

lixy Sun 01-Dec-24 17:38:29

We rented a Centre Parcs lodge, big enough for all of us, though my mum stayed in the hotel as she was worried about disturbing us when she got up in the night. Plenty to do for everyone. My birthday is in September so off peak rates!

We shared the catering throughout the weekend and had an afternoon tea delivered on the Sunday afternoon. It was really good.

Beechnut Sun 01-Dec-24 18:03:12

I had a surprise week away staying in a holiday cottage in Kent with my immediate family.
We did lots of touring about and on my actual birthday I had two cakes and a meal out.

Jaxjacky Sun 01-Dec-24 18:05:33

I had a party in our local, as I did for my 50th, friends, family and a live band, it was brilliant. Wouldn’t suit you OP, if you have family, maybe just a lovely meal out at a favourite restaurant or caterers at home?

Shelflife Sun 01-Dec-24 18:58:07

Too long ago for me to remember! Whatever you do , meal out , exiting trip overseas or a quiet day at home - enjoy , happy birthday !